Criminal Justice Major

Student standing in doorway

Overview

Program Highlights

 

Criminal Justice Major

, Program Director 

A major in Criminal Justice offers a broad and theoretical view of the criminal justice process, including sociological and political factors related to crime and criminal justice, and prepare students for varied careers in criminal justice through specific coursework in these fields.

Millikin's vision for a degree in criminal justice is based on the leading-edge theory and practice of Restorative Justice (RJ). RJ refers to a collaborative form of justice involving active participation among victims, offenders, and the community in repairing, reconciling, and restoring relationships among all parties affected by a crime. Restorative justice is more than just a recent trend in criminal justice. It is the wave of the future for criminal justice practitioners, which beckons us to prepare our students for new careers in criminal justice where these principles will be in effect in future criminal justice programs.

Students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Learning Goals

  1. Increase understanding of the theoretical foundations and practices of Criminal Justice (University learning goals: knowledge; a personal life of meaning and value).
  2. Critically examine current CJ practices and alternative approaches to crime. (University learning goals: critical reasoning; democratic citizenship in a global environment).
  3. Make judgments about the Criminal Justice system that includes ethical reasoning. (University learning goals: critical reasoning; democratic citizenship in a global environment).
  4. Demonstrate professional writing skills, as appropriate to the discipline.  (University learning goals: professional success; performance learning).

Practicum Highlights

The Criminal Justice Practicum encourages career exploration in the criminal justice system, as a required final course for students pursuing the minor. The structure of this program stresses integration of academic studies and workforce experience, determination of learning goals, cultivation of independent learning skills, development of increased awareness of community and public affairs, and understanding of diversity in the work place. By working with criminal justice agencies, students will be placed in a community setting which will help students answer their own questions about possible career choices in these fields.

Work Study/Non-Work Study Internships

These internship experiences are different than the Practicum. Internships are available for students any time throughout the semester and do not count as academic credit. Students can choose to work anywhere in the Criminal Justice field. All internships must be approved by the Criminal Justice Program Director, Keyria Rodgers.

Macon County Teen Justice Program

Click here to find the plan of study