It is the academic study of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections), concerned with the nature and extent of crime, the reactions of criminal justice agencies to the breaking of the law. It is intended for students planning careers or graduate studies in public and community service, including law, public administration, law enforcement (local, state, and federal), court systems, corrections agencies, juvenile delinquency, probation and parole, as well as nonprofit community service organizations.

Students who graduate from Lindenwood University typically find careers in police and sheriff's departments, federal agencies, courts, correctional institutions, probation and parole services, social service agencies, juvenile facilities, and private enterprise. Some students also attend law school to earn their Juris Doctor. There are myriad career opportunities open to those who earn a Criminal Justice Degree and options are not limited to the ones mentioned above.

The Criminal Justice department prepares students to enter the work force with a Generalist degree or with a specified emphasis in Criminal Justice. Criminal Justice majors will earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree upon successful completion of all coursework. The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum of 45 credit hours, with 33 hours from the Core group and 12 hours from the Major Elective Group. Students seeking a Criminal Justice degree with an emphasis must complete the 33 hours in the Core group and 18 hours within one of five concentration groups. The Concentration groups are Legal Studies, Corrections/Probation & Parole, Corrections/Juvenile, Law Enforcement, and Law Enforcement with a Police Academy Option. Each faculty member is also an academic advisor who will work closely with the student to select a career path that will suit their best interests.

We also offer a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Masters degree coursework is currently conducted through our Lindenwood College for Individual Education (LCIE).

• Faculty members with practical experience within the criminal justice system
• Internship opportunities- including but not limited to Police Departments, Probation/Parole Facilities, Law Offices, Cyber Crime Unit, Juvenile Facilities, and Victim Assistance Programs.
• Field trips to various Criminal Justice related institutions
• J-Term trips to Europe studying the criminal justice systems of various countries
• Forensics Program (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an emphasis in Forensics)
• Criminal Justice Student Association
• Partnership with St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy
• Professional speakers representing every major component of criminal justice

For more information contact:

Lindenwood University
Criminal Justice Program
209 South Kingshighway
St. Charles, MO 63301

Dr. Pernell Witherspoon
Department Chair
(636) 949-4987
pwitherspoon@lindenwood.edu

Professor Darren Marhanka
(636) 949-4984
dmarhanka@lindenwood.edu