Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is a fast-growing field of study. Changes in today's world have led to an increased demand for high-quality graduates. We are prepared to provide you with the academic tools necessary for either a successful criminal justice career or the pursuit of a graduate degree.

Our program emphasizes a liberal arts foundation enhanced by the study of a variety of legal aspects of the criminal justice system coupled with Christian ethics. Through an integration of the legal aspects of the criminal justice system and biblical knowledge and values, students will be well equipped to render exceptional service in any area of criminal justice.

Professional opportunities may be found in the areas of law enforcement, investigation, prosecution, criminal defense, protective services, advocacy, probation and parole, human services, research, and more. Courses are designed to explore these diverse areas, giving you a greater knowledge of each.

Our internship program will provide you with a valuable experience by giving you the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge to real-world situations. Internships are available with law enforcement, prosecution, defense, judicial, corrections as well as other criminal justice agencies. Internships are encouraged in the program as the capstone of your education.

For more about the criminal justice program, please see the contact information listed below.

Academic Program

Course Requirements/Descriptions:

Degree Plan (4-year) pdf

Careers

The following is a list of potential career opportunities for individuals who have a degree in Criminal Justice. This is only a partial list. There are numerous other opportunities available to Criminal Justice majors.

Note 1: Some careers require additional graduate study.

Note 2: Some criminal justice agencies require specific physical qualifications, e.g., height, weigh, vision (corrected vs. non-corrected), etc. The student should check with the specific agency in which she/he is interested in order to determine its specific requirements for employment.

Note 3: The student seeking this degree should be aware that some careers in Criminal Justice may require a criminal background check.

Careers in Law Enforcement

Federal Agencies:

Air Force OSI (Office of Special Investigations)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent
Central Intelligence Agency Agent
Defense Criminal Investigative Service (Special Agent)
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Police Officer
Federal Postal Inspector
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Investigator
Internal Revenue Service Special Agent
National Crime Information Center (diverse positions)
Naval Crime Scene Investigative Service (Special Agent)
United States Border Protection Agent
United States Capitol Police Officer
United States Coast Guard
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Special Agent/Refugee Officer)
United States Department of State Diplomatic Security (Special Agent)
United States Department of the Treasury
United States Immigration Inspector
United States Import Specialist
United States Marshal Service
United States National Center Bureau (Interpol Officer)
United States Park Police
United Sates Postal Service Inspector
United States Secret Service Physical Security Specialist
United States Secret Service Special Agent
United States Secret Service Uniformed Officer
United States Transportation Security Administration (Air Marshal)

State Agencies:

State Bureau of Investigation and Apprehension
State Crime Information Center
State Crime Laboratory
State Department of Human Rights
State Department of Natural Resources
State Fire Marshal Division
State Highway Patrol
State Police

County Agencies:

County Sheriff / Deputy Sheriff
County Police
County Coroner / Medical Examiner

Local Agencies:

City / Municipal Police
Town Marshal

Careers in the Courts:

Judge
Bailiff
U.S. Attorney (Office of the Attorney General)
Assistant U.S. Attorney
State Attorney General (State Attorney’s Office)
Assistant Attorney General
Prosecuting Attorney
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Public Defender (Federal or State)
Private Criminal or Civil Attorney
Paralegal
Law Librarian
Court Psychologist
Court Administrator
Court Clerk
Court Interpreter
Court Reporter
Victim / Witness Service
Juvenile Court Intake Officer

Careers in Corrections:

Warden
Correctional Food Service Coordinator
Correctional Officer
Guard
Parole Officer
Physician Assistant/Certified Nurse
Probation Officer
Psychiatrist/Psychologist
Correctional Counselor
Correctional Case Manager
Social Worker
Recreational Specialist

Correctional Agencies:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
State Department of Corrections
County Jails
County Juvenile Detention Centers
County Probation Offices

Careers in Miscellaneous CJ Areas:

Blood Spatter Analyst
Campus Law Enforcement
Caseworker (Adult or Juvenile)
Counselor (Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Child/Spousal Abuse, Family Services)
Criminal Profiler
Criminologist
Crisis Centers
Drug Treatment Centers
Forensic Scientist
Insurance Companies (Fraudulent Claims Investigation)
Medicare/Medicaid (Fraudulent Claims Investigation)
Private Security Company (Businesses, Airports, Hospitals, Hotels)
Research/Data Analyst
Worker’s Compensation Commission

Alumni Let Us Hear From You

Additional Resources

Disclaimer: The links provided below are to websites that are produced by entities other than Harding University. We do not have control over these websites nor do we have control over their content. Harding University disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy, content, and/or appropriateness of these external websites. We believe that they contain information that may be of assistance to you, but we are not responsible for their content. Accessing the web sites is at your discretion.

Arkansas Criminal Justice Agencies and Organizations

Arkansas Law Enforcement Agencies and Information

Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training

Branches of Government

Historical Documents

State of Arkansas Information and Services

Cabinet Departments

Federal Agencies

United States Courts

Drug Related Issues

Corrections Issues

General Law Enforcement

Police Department Study Guides

Criminal Justice Research and Online Journals

Laws and Legal Research

Forensic Science

American Board of Criminalistics

Employment Links

Contact Us

Behavioral Sciences Department is part of the College of Arts & Sciences

501-279-4425

behavsci@harding.edu

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