Web Page: http://www.umsl.edu/~ccj
Degrees and Areas of Concentration
The department offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Science, the Master of Arts, and Ph.D., in criminology and criminal justice.
Cooperative Programs
Faculty of the criminology and criminal justice department hold appointments as fellows in the Center for Metropolitan Studies, the Center for International Studies and the Institute for Women's and Gender Studies. Workshops, projects, credit courses, and other social services are brought to the criminal justice community.
Internships
Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in CCJ 280(3280), Internship in Criminology and Criminal Justice, during their junior or senior year. The internship affords students the opportunity to gain experience in a criminal justice agency under the joint supervision of agency personnel and criminology and criminal justice faculty.
Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The minor gives recognition to those students from other major areas who find that criminology and criminal justice courses fit their academic or professional needs and/or interests.
Career Outlook
The orientation of the criminology and criminal justice faculty and of the degree program prepares the graduate to work professionally for local, state, and federal agencies concerned with maintaining public safety by the prevention of crime and apprehension and rehabilitation of offenders. The B.S. in criminology and criminal justice is also advantageous for careers with various social agencies, especially those connected with the juvenile court system, probation and parole, and local police. Many students use the B.S. in criminology and criminal justice as preparation for law school.
The interdisciplinary curricula unify a body of knowledge from criminology, social science, law, public administration, and corrections, giving a unique preparation for and providing the student with an understanding of the assumptions, values, and processes of the system of justice. Many prelaw students choose criminology and criminal justice as an undergraduate major because of the excellent preparation offered for law school. An internship program is offered for college credit. The liaison, supervision, and experience with public agencies that form an integral part of this program help the student arrive at a career decision.