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The faith-filled community at SWU is comprised of students, faculty and staff who are passionate about learning and growing, both inside and outside of the classroom.

BS in Criminal Justice Studies

 

 

Make a difference in your community with a Criminal Justice degree!

In a world fraught with fear and division, we seek to train difference-makers to make an impact for Christ in our local communities using faith-filled curriculum, cutting edge technology, and research-based techniques. That's where you come in! You want to change your community, your city, this world. We need people like you that care about justice and law that can also serve as a leader full of faith and compassion.

A Hands-On, Faith-Filled Approach to Criminal Justice

As a Criminal Justice major, you will develop competency in law enforcement, courts, and corrections by studying criminology, criminal law, criminal investigations, forensic science, police and community relations, corrections, firearms in criminal justice, fitness in criminal justice, criminal justice management, and social problems. You will be able to discuss ethical implications at the local, state, federal, and even at the international level in criminal justice. Our expert faculty will apply their knowledge and skills from their life experience so that you will be prepared for a variety of career paths. Need to learn how to fire a shotgun? How to collect fingerprints? How to talk to a troubled teen? The curriculum is hands-on and applicable, and the skills are invaluable to you, future leader in the American criminal justice system.

In the Criminal Justice degree program, you'll have a variety of opportunities to learn about future careers. You will experience high-quality academic courses supplemented with practical examples from retired and current criminal justice professionals. They receive multiple opportunities to visit and observe a variety of criminal justice workplaces. Substantial effort is made to ensure practical, hands-on, experiential learning occurs in the area of forensics, firearms, and fitness.

Southern Wesleyan University Criminal Justice majors join a confident group of alumni that are well equipped to enter graduate schools and career opportunities on the local, state, and federal levels. 

IS THe Criminal Justice Degree Program RIGHT FOR YOU?

You might consider a Criminal Justice degree if you have a desire to enter a career in law enforcement, criminal or civil law, corrections, or human services; or plan to advance to law school or other related graduate schools. If you have a passion for serving your community by ensuring public safety or by helping the multitudes that need a second chance, there are many career paths within criminal justice that would allow you to exercise your talents. If you are interested in a career of public service ranging from juvenile delinquency, to law enforcement (local, state, or federal), criminal law prosecution/defense, through corrections (jail, correctional, or probation officer; home incarceration or residential custody management), this program is ideal.

 

Erin Harrison - Criminal Justice Major

Alejandro Santiago - Criminal Justice Major

 

"Professors in the Criminal Justice program allow an environment that encourages the individual to seek out knowledge about Law Enforcement. Not only do they allow that type of environment, they allow the individual to explore the Christian ethics of the field along with the controversies one may face in the Law Enforcement field. That particular environment has made me a stronger, more Christ-centered officer of the law than I ever thought I could be."

Kayla Underwood, Class of 2012 

 

Career Preparation

This program opens the door to many career possibilities including:

  • Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement
  • Local, State and Federal Courts (attorney and court officials)
  • Local, State and Federal Corrections (Jail Officers, Prison Officers, Probation Parole and Pardon Officers)
  • Careers in Alternative Sentencing programs (government and private)

Employment

Our graduates have gone into a number of careers and have held jobs with employers such as:

  • Anderson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Fountain Inn Police Department
  • Greenville County Detention Center
  • Greenville County Sherriff’s Office
  • High Point Police Department
  • Rock Hill Police Department
  • Simpsonville Police Department
  • United States Army
  • United States Marine Corps
  • York County Sheriff’s Office