Excellence beyond a reasonable doubt
The Criminology & Criminal Justice program provides an in-depth study of the criminal justice system, particularly its institutions, with specific consideration of critical issues that impact its ability to respond to crime.
In our program, we explore critical issues at the forefront of everyday activity in law enforcement, the courts, corrections and homeland security involving both professionals and perpetrators of crime and including special interest groups such as juveniles, women, minorities and non-citizens.
Shenandoah’s Criminology and Criminal Justice program offers students a vast number of classes to choose from, from criminal law to serial killers and everything in between. With this program, there is something for everyone, no matter what they plan on using their degree for.
Kara Gilpin ’23 | Criminal Justice major
Students majoring in criminology & criminal justice will be prepared to work in entry-level positions in law enforcement, courts or corrections agencies at the local, state or federal levels or to continue their studies at the graduate level. The program is tailored to individual career interests so you are best informed about the career in justice that you plan to pursue.
You’ll enjoy a small faculty-to-student ratio with faculty who are experienced criminal justice professionals. Guest speakers provide personal insight into diverse career opportunities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in criminal justice and protective services will grow as fast or faster than the average for all occupations in the years to come.
Learn More About This Program
Many people think that Criminal Justice is just learning the legal codes and laws, how the systems work, and while that is important and useful, it’s the theories that are the meat of the topic. Theories that explain why people do what they do, reasoning behind crime, behind different behaviors and all that can be applied to real life. It really helps to understand how people work and if you know that you can be successful in anything, not just Criminal Justice. Personally I’m just interested in how things work, doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as I can understand it I’m interested.
Morgan Keeler ’20 | Criminology & Criminal Justice Major, Esports Minor, and Psychology Minor
Criminology & Criminal Justice prepares you for a wide range of careers in public safety, security and social justice-related professions. In addition to law and legal studies, a number of public safety careers in local, state, national and private-sector organizations include law enforcement, forensics, information technology, counseling, administration, public information, crime prevention, research and community enrichment programs. Our program also provides a valuable foundation for work in journalism, intelligence collection, analysis, homeland security, criminal profiling, computer forensics, and private and fraud investigation.
Our studies prepare you to address various justice topics such as white-collar crime, terrorism and homeland security, juvenile justice, drug abuse and the criminal justice system, domestic violence, sexual predators, child victimization and organized crime. You will also be educated about the impact of gender, racial and economic disparities in the criminal justice system either working for a public service agency in law enforcement, courts or corrections or with private programs such as a women’s shelter or citizen watchdog group.
You’ll be eligible for employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, state and federal prisons, local correctional facilities, state and national parks, private security corporations and protective service, risk management/assessment companies, private investigative services, border patrols, U.S. Customs or child protective services.
You’ll gain information about basic criminal justice agencies, concepts of the legal system and study the American criminal justice system at the local, state and federal levels. In addition, you may study international criminal justice.
You will learn:
- how to analyze crime
- criminal theory
- about law enforcement, courts and corrections
- laws, research methods and issues in the administration of justice
- the history and operation of the core components of the criminal justice system
- characteristics and critical issues of contemporary and emerging criminal activity
- the nature, history and structure of law and the fundamentals of legal reasoning
- theoretical perspectives and research methods for the study of criminology
- preparation for advanced training in such fields as law, law enforcement, forensics, corrections and cyber security
Shenandoah University’s College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.
We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.
Minor in This Program
The Criminology minor provides you with an introductory understanding of criminal justice principles and issues in the framework of contemporary society. You’ll learn how to analyze crime as well as choose from a wide selection of elective courses to round out your knowledge. Topics include drugs and crime, terrorism, homicide, organized crime and white-collar crime. Our criminal justice elective courses vary from year to year. Past topics have included “Crime, Movies and Television,” “Crime Mapping,” “ Digital Crime” and “Crime in Virginia.”
Declaring A Minor
Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.
Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.
Internship Possibilities
There are a diverse range of criminal justice internship opportunities at Shenandoah. Past students have studied with federal law enforcement in the Federal Bureau of Investigation facility in Glencoe, Ga., as well as at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the Immigration and Custom Enforcement (including customs and border patrol and airport security).
Students have a variety of internships available to them, including work in various local law enforcement agencies, court systems, and correctional institutions.
SU Criminology & Criminal Justice students have interned at these organizations in the past:
- Maryland State Police
- Virginia State Police
- Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (SO)
- Fairfax County Police
- Fairfax County SO
- Frederick County SO
- Winchester PD
- Fairfax (city) PD
- Ocean City PD
- Page County SO
- Fairfax County Courts
- Frederick County Courts (various Divisions)
- Court Services in Frederick, Fairfax, and Loudoun
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Capitol Police
- Park Police
- The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETEC)
- Game Wardens in Shenandoah and Page Counties
- SWR Regional Jail
- NW Regional Corrections Center
- NW Juvenile Detention Center
- Loudoun County Jail
- NW mental Health
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- Timbrook House
The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career Possibilities
The unique quality of our program is its flexibility, which allows students to learn about career options, discover areas of interest, and customize their studies in to prepare themselves for specific careers, whether this involves further academic work or joining a profession.
State-level justice opportunities include working with state policing agencies in any of several states, working for state attorney generals and interning in state crime labs.
Local opportunities include working with municipal police, county sheriffs, prosecutors’ offices, juvenile and adult institutional corrections, community corrections (including probation and parole), fire marshals, game wardens and school security. Internships with private agencies are also possible, including those who facilitate background checks, computer security, casino security, etc.
SU Criminology & Criminal Justice graduates are now employed as:
- FBI analysts
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents
- Border Patrol agents
- Game Wardens
- Maryland State Police Trooper
- Virginia State Police Trooper
- Fairfax, Loudoun, Frederick Sheriff’s, also some Maryland counties
- Various local police departments
- Local and state probation officers
- Local parole officer
- School security officers in several jurisdictions
- Campus police at several institutions
- Correctional officers in local regional and county jails in Virginia and Maryland
I use my criminology and criminal Justice degree every day! I currently work at the Berkeley County Day Report Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia as a Substance Abuse Case Manager. The BDRC is a community corrections program designed to keep non-violent offenders out of jail by providing them with treatment designed to help them overcome their addiction to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with probation and parole officers, magistrates, judges, and the police in order to provide outpatient treatment for our participants.
Danealia Simmons ’20 | Ciminology & Criminal Justice and Mathematics majors and Computer Science minor
Career & Professional Development provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
Our students benefit from a diverse curriculum that provides in-depth knowledge about criminology (the study of crime) and the criminal justice system (especially law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the correctional system). Students learn essential academic skills such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, and statistical analysis. Our courses also investigate critical and contemporary issues such as crime scene investigation, drugs and crime, white-collar crime, computer crime, global crime organizations, serial killers, women and crime, serial killers, and victimology. Students learn how to research criminal justice issues and connect their research and studies with contemporary issues such as the use of deadly force by police, the impact of race on crime and justice, policy approaches to domestic violence, social and economic causes of crime, crime and the media, and the interaction between politics and public policy as it influences the operation of the criminal justice system.
The required courses are:
- CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ 102 Introduction to Criminology
- MATH 207 Introduction to Statistics
- CJ 350 Research Methods in Social Sciences
- CJ 450 Senior Experience
The Criminology and Criminal Justice Major also requires 9 additional electives. At least 2 elective courses must be at the 400-level.
Five to nine courses from Category A
- MATH 208 Advanced Statistics
- CJ 261 Juvenile Delinquency
- CJ 302 Ethics in the Criminal Justice System
- CJ 305 Criminal Theory CCJ 322 Corrections
- CJ 321 Law Enforcement
- CJ 322 Corrections
- CJ 323 Courts
- CJ 343 Law for the Criminal Justice Professional
- CJ 360 Criminal Procedure
- CJ 404 Crime, Community, and Prevention
- CJ 440 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- CJ 477 Issues in Criminal Justice
A maximum of four courses from Category B
- CJ 224 Crime Scene Investigation
- CJ 270 Drugs and Crime
- CJ 274 Homicide
- CJ 377 Serial Killers
- CJ 310 Victimology
- CJ 311 Crime and the Media
- CJ 335 Women and Crime in America
- CJ 326 Crime Mapping
- CJ 366 Race and Crime
- CJ 371 White Collar Crime
- CJ 372 Global Crime Organizations
- CJ 373 Homeland Security
- CJ 375 Computer Crime
- CJ 376 Sex Crimes and Trafficking
- CJ 395 Topics in Criminal Justice
- CJ 401 Internship
- CJ 405 Public Policy and the Criminal Justice System
- CJ 436 Women and Crime Globally
- CJ 390 History of Criminal Law
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Join the Honors Program
The Honors Program is a multidisciplinary Honors Program for students who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and eager to engage in their education and community.
Not only do Honors Program students partake in honors courses that emphasize collaboration, service, and communication, but they will also have the opportunity to develop aspects of the program based on their own interests and goals. By participating in the Honors Program you will acquire the tools, knowledge and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to your community – whether it be globally, locally, or specific to your life’s work. You will have access to unique courses, exciting experiences and a community of peers and faculty who never stop asking questions and striving for excellence.
Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Application Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.
Criminology & Criminal Justice Abroad Course Catalog
