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

Department News

How Far Will a LSUA Criminal Justice Advisor Go For Their Advice?

Aug 30, 2019, 13:06 PM
Would you believe, all the way to Atlanta, GA?

Kelley Howard has been with the DeKalb County Police Department since 1997.  She began her career in Uniform Patrol, worked for a while in Special Investigations, and then returned to the Uniform Division.  She is now a Lieutenant and is the Watch Commander of Day Watch at one of their four precincts.

Lt. Howard was in her 30’s when she made the decision to go back to school, while continuing to work.  She completed her Associate Degree and then came to LSUA through our online program.  Her advisor, Dr. John Marks, happened to be in the area over the summer of 2019 and was able to set up a meeting at her police department to meet each other face-to-face and chat briefly.  Thank you, Dr. Marks, for going the extra mile for our students!

Lt. Howard said that she “would recommend the… program to anyone. The teachers are firm in their methods when it comes to assignments and tests but they are also incredibly fair. They promote interaction among the students, which is probably my favorite part of each class.”

Lt. Howard is on target to graduate Spring 2020 and is even considering obtaining her Masters.

 

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.