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Criminal Justice
College of Arts & Sciences
CRIMINAL JUSTICE is the study of law enforcement, criminal proceedings and punishment. But at MNU it also focuses on mercy, rehabilitation and compassion.
about the program
Criminal justice students study the systems involved in American justice. These systems include law enforcement, courts, corrections and law. In criminal justice, students deal with problems that have a very real impact on people’s lives.
You WIll Learn
Students learn from accomplished criminal justice scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. From law enforcement and crime scene investigators, to district attorneys and legal scholars, to community corrections officers, MNU students discuss the tough issues facing the criminal justice system today with faculty members who have a keen awareness of real-world concerns.
At MNU, we intentionally integrate faith into the classroom and it could not be more important than in a program like criminal justice where concepts like moral commitment, mercy and justice apply to high stakes situations.
YOU WILL ACHIEVE HERE
All criminal justice seniors take the ETS Major Field Test before graduation. This examination focuses on criminal justice content and also measures the students’ ability to critically analyze problems in the field of criminal justice. MNU students routinely score much higher than the national average and our institutional mean score has been as high as the 90th percentile.
Potential Careers
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Probation Officer
- Investigator
- Attorney
- Customs Agent
- Victim Advocacy Representative
Sample Schedule
Freshman Year - First Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 1303 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM | 1703 | Intro to Human Communication | 3 |
| BLIT | 1103 | Old Testament | 3 |
| ENGL | 1503 | Comp I: Writing & Rhetoric | 3 |
| FNAR | 1103 | Intro to Fine Arts | 3 |
| FRST | 1101 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
Freshman Year - Second Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 1403 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| COMM | 2001 | Multi-Media Workshop | 3 |
| BLIT | 1203 | New Testament | 3 |
| MATH | 1223 | College Algebra | 3 |
| PSYC | 1103 | Psychology Gen Ed | 3 |
| ENGL | 1703 | Comp II: Writing & Research | 3 |
Sophomore Year - First Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 1503 | Mass Media & Society | 3 |
| COMM | 2001 | Multimedia Workshop | 1 |
| COMM | 3603 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| PHED | Physical Education Gen Ed | 2 | |
| HIST | 1203 | History Gen Ed | 3 |
| 1101 | ELECTIVE | 3 |
Sophomore Year - Second Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 2803 | Communicating in the Digital World | 3 |
| COMM | 2001 | Multimedia Workshop | 1 |
| PHIL | Philosophy Gen Ed | 3 | |
| SCI LIT 1 | Physical Science Gen Ed | 3 | |
| THEO | 2003 | Christian Beliefs | 3 |
| FRST | ELECTIVE | 3 |
Junior Year - First Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 2303 | Interpersonal & Social Communication | 3 |
| COMM | 3703 | Persuasive Communication & Ethics | 3 |
| COMM | 4001 | Advanced Multimedia Workshop | 1 |
| STATS | Statistic Gen Ed | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | ||
| ELECTIVE | 3 |
Junior Year - Second Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 3403 | Decision Making in Small Groups | 3 |
| COMM | 3803 | Intro to Public Relations | 3 |
| SCI LIT 2 | 4001 | Advanced Multimedia Workshop | 1 |
| Biological Science Gen Ed | 3 | ||
| ELECTIVE | 3 | ||
| FRST | ELECTIVE | 3 |
Senior Year - First Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 4001 | Advanced Multimedia Workshop | 1 |
| COMM | 4883 | Internship | 3 |
| ELECTIVES | 12 | ||
| Freshman Seminar | 3 |
Senior Year - Second Semester
| Course | # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM | 4603 | Communicating in Organizations | 3 |
| COMM | 4903 | Senior Capstone in Research | 3 |
| ELECTIVES | 9 | ||
Career Earnings
$60,600
average annual
$2,605,800
career average
$57k
Law Enforcement Officer
$35k
Probation Officer
$71k
Investigator
$95k
Attorney
$45k
Victim Advocacy Representative
Related Majors
Wired Wednesday
Developed specifically for Traditional Undergraduate Students, MNU launched a new schedule in 2020. Semester-long courses are now held on Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday for 75 minutes each.
Business Administration continues to be a highly sought out degree by students and employers alike. It provides an excellent and thorough foundation in skills necessary for success in today’s business world. These degrees will also prepare students for graduate study in management, law or other business specialties.
Yorton Clark
Dean, School of Professional and Graduate Studies Chair, Professional and Graduate Studies in Business Professor
TODD HIESTAND
"MNU Criminal Justice graduates go on to lead lives of service. These incredibly talented and compassionate individuals protect communities, serve crime victims, uphold the laws of their jurisdiction and the United States Constitution, and help offenders lead productive lives."
Criminal Justice Program Director
success stories
As an MNU student, you’ll encounter not only academic growth and career preparation but you’ll also transform through spiritual growth and time spent in service and mission. We think that’s a
recipe for success in today’s global world.
