Criminal Justice

The Department of Criminal Justice is responsible for developing and offering baccalaureate degree programs to students who wish to pursue educational opportunities in one of the department’s core disciplines. The programs offered by the department are of the highest quality and prepare students not only to take up a wide array of positions in the workforce but also to pursue graduate-level education if they so wish.

In addition, the department provides substantial general education support to programs offered by other departments on LSUA’s campus. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Criminal Justice Department is to:

  • Create intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in students through quality instruction 
  • Offer a comprehensive education for careers in agencies, organizations, and industries associated with the criminal justice system, and for those progressing to graduate or law schools
  • Provide a balanced perspective on the study and practices of the criminal justice system
  • Instill the value of becoming ethical professionals and public servants
  • Allow students flexibility in electives so that they may tailor their degree in ways that are most reflective of their career and academic goals

LSUA offers a B.S. in Criminal Justice.  Choose a concentration in Criminal Justice OR a concentration in Criminal Psychology.

What’s the difference? 

  • Criminal Justice: If you are interested in courts, corrections, or law enforcement at the local, state, or federal levels, this is the track for you.  If you wish to go to graduate school in a criminal justice related area, pursue this track.  For juvenile justice related careers, this could be. We also offer an online criminal justice degree.
  • Criminal Psychology: If you wish to explore the hows and whys of behaviors, understand special populations and those who make up our community, as well as those that cross paths with the justice system, this is the track for you.  If you wish to go to graduate school to explore the unique cross section of the mind and the justice system, pursue this track. (If counseling is your goal, major in Psychology.) We also offer an online criminal psychology degree.

For career related guidance, see your criminal justice professors/mentors.

CJ assessment

 

 

CJ assessment 2

ACO-CriminalJustice

Affordable Online Criminal Justice Badge

 
Did you know the LSUA Department of Criminal Justice evaluates our curriculum twice each year?  Indeed, we do!  In fact, we are proud to say our graduates consistently score in line with the national average as assessed by the ETS® Major Field Test for Criminal Justice. If you want to know more, click here.
 

Prior Learning Assessment

  • Up to 15 specified credit hours may be awarded for those who have completed police academies.  See Prior Learning Assessment in Office of the Registrar
  • Up to 9 specified credit hours may be awarded for those who have completed Introduction to Correctional Techniques through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

flyer for certificate in CJ

LSUA-Criminal_Justice-Brochure-Digital

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Department News

APD Officer Returns to School After 20 Years

Bobby Branton, a Sergeant and 16-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department (APD), is facing one of his greatest fears head-on…finishing his undergraduate degree. Twenty years after earning his associate degree in criminal justice at LSUA, Sgt. Branton made the decision to return to college to complete a Bachelor of Science.

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Additional Resources

If you would like to know more about the Criminal Justice Department, please give us a call at (318) 427-0130 or drop by and see us in Mulder Hall 303.