Students鈥� heightened awareness of the criminal justice system鈥檚 shortcomings and their desire to make positive change are sparking increased interest in 农夫导航鈥檚 Criminal Justice Studies program. 鈥淧ublic discourse surrounding police use of force, for example, is at a fever pitch,鈥� says Dr. Heather Pruss, assistant professor of Criminal Justice Studies, and enrollment is up 24 percent since 2018.  鈥淭oday, most students come into my Introduction to Criminal Justice course ready to apply a critical lens to their understanding of the field,鈥� Pruss says. 鈥淭his new 鈥榮tarting point鈥� allows us to push further in rethinking current approaches and imagining innovative solutions to challenges facing the contemporary criminal justice and related systems.鈥� 

Of course, law enforcement is just one area of employment open to graduates with a degree in Criminal Justice Studies. Others include criminology, forensic science, Homeland Security, social services, the court system, legal services, private security, private investigations, corrections and cybersecurity. The latter is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which projects a 31 percent increase in positions by 2029. The BLS projects 7 percent growth in law enforcement and other protective service occupations.

 Bellarmine鈥檚 Criminal Justice Studies curriculum includes courses that address historical and contemporary explanations for criminal and deviant behavior and electives on specific aspects of the criminal justice system, like courts and corrections or juvenile delinquency. In the third and fourth years, students complete an internship experience and take a course on research methodology. The program also draws together courses from related disciplines, including sociology, psychology and anthropology, to prepare students for a variety of career options and give them a well-rounded perspective on crime, justice and equity. Many graduates move directly into the workforce, while others go on to graduate and professional programs in criminal justice, sociology, social work and related disciplines, as well as law school. 鈥淭here are countless ways to 鈥榖uild out鈥� from a Criminal Justice Studies degree at Bellarmine, and faculty mentors are eager to help channel your creativity and begin shaping your career path,鈥� Pruss said.