Faith and Justice: Exploring Top Christian Colleges with Criminal Justice Majors

Are you driven to make a positive impact in the world through a career in criminal justice? As an aspiring criminal justice student, you're not just choosing a major but committing to a future where your actions reflect deep-rooted values of justice, honesty, and integrity. 

For those of you who want to combine Christian faith with your education, you've come to the right place. This blog will walk you through the essential qualities and character strengths to become a professional in the field, career opportunities, and three Christian colleges that offer excellent criminal justice degrees. 

Key Qualities for Thriving in a Criminal Justice Career

If you're interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, possessing certain qualities can help you succeed. You’ll find that these qualities go hand-in-hand with living faithfully.

• Strong moral character: The ability to act with integrity and speak truthfully. 
• Critical thinker: Thinks through problems objectively. 
• Empathetic and compassionate: Caring and willing to understand others. 
• Good communicator: Able to listen, express yourself, and effectively exchange information. 
• Problem solver: Finds solutions to complex challenges. 
• Analytical: Examines details and interprets complex data. 

If you already have these traits, that's great! If you’re unsure, don't worry; you can develop and strengthen these skills during your criminal justice studies. Most Christian colleges with criminal justice majors offer workshops, internships, simulations, and more, which are great opportunities to help you expand on these qualities and grow.

Career Paths & Outcomes for Christian Criminal Justice Majors

Studying criminal justice opens doors to various career opportunities, all of which play a vital role in improving the lives of others and creating a safe and harmonious society. Let's take a look at some popular jobs and their responsibilities. 

1. Law Enforcement Officer:

As a law enforcement officer, which includes police officers, sheriffs, and detectives, you are responsible for enforcing laws, ensuring safety, and protecting communities. This career is the perfect role for you if you are drawn to protect and serve others.

2. Probation Officer:

As a probation officer, you can greatly impact individuals sentenced to probation. In this role, you will guide and help them rehabilitate and reconnect with society. This career is ideal if you enjoy helping others make a positive difference in their lives. 

3. Criminal Investigator:

‍As a criminal investigator, you will use your analytical skills to examine crime scenes, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to solve complex cases. If you are passionate about solving crimes and bringing justice to victims, this career may be a perfect fit. 

‍4. Legal Mediator:

You can help conflicting parties reach equitable solutions as a legal mediator. If you possess strong conflict resolution skills and a desire to promote fairness and balance, consider pursuing a career as a legal mediator.

5. Lawyer or Legal Consultant:

As a legal consultant or lawyer, you navigate clients through legal details and give advice while promoting justice. This might be a good fit if you have a passion for law and are committed to fairness and honesty. 

Numerous options are available when it comes to choosing a career path, and it can often be challenging to decide. However, evaluating the career opportunities of different Christian colleges can help you make an informed choice. Using THE Guide, you can easily access various colleges and explore their programs and career opportunities when studying criminal justice.

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Christian Colleges with Criminal Justice Majors 

To help you better understand the programs available to you, let's take a look at a brief overview of three institutes and what they have to offer. 

1. Lancaster Bible College 

If you're looking for a criminal justice program that takes a unique approach to resolving conflicts, Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania might be the perfect fit for you. The college's criminal justice program focuses on restorative justice, which promotes healing and reconciliation. As a student, you'll gain skills in forensic investigation, victim advocacy, law enforcement, and political science.

One of the best parts of this program is the opportunity to participate in on-campus internships. The legal clinic and the law enforcement internship programs both offer practical experience and mentorship from experienced professionals. With flexible options for online, hybrid, and on-campus courses, small class sizes, and guidance from success coaches, the program is designed to fit your schedule and needs. So, why not consider Lancaster Bible College's criminal justice program for your future?

‍Student size: 1,060

Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1

Tuition: $29,990/year

To learn more about Lancaster Bible College, visit page 144 of THE Guide. 

2. Ouachita Baptist University

Consider Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts college in the charming town of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The university offers a distinctive BA degree in criminal justice. The program explores the connections between sociology, political science, psychology, and criminal justice. What's unique about the curriculum is its emphasis on mental health, which is crucial for improving overall well-being and facing career challenges.

You will learn from instructors who are real-world legal professionals like local officers and judges, giving you practical experience and an up-close view of what a career in criminal justice entails. You’ll get hands-on experience as you intern for 50 hours with local and state law enforcement agencies, including the Arkadelphia Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff's Office, and the Clark County Prosecutor's Office. With so much practical experience, you'll be well-prepared for a fulfilling career in the field. 

Student size: 1,722

Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1

Tuition: $33,780/year

To learn more about Ouachita Baptist University, visit page 84 of THE Guide. 

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3. Waynesburg University 

Waynesburg University offers a BA program in criminal justice and in 2023, was ranked the second-best criminal justice school in Pennsylvania by College Factual. The program covers topics like criminal law, criminology, forensic science, and criminal justice policy. You'll receive hands-on training from experienced professionals using advanced technology, like the Laser Shot Firearms Simulator. This simulator lets you practice handling firearms safely and effectively in a virtual environment. 

The university offers interactive experiences such as the CSI Camp and Mock Crime Scene Workshops, where you can participate in practical activities such as interviewing suspects, preparing search warrants, and conducting surveillance. As a student, you'll intern with various criminal justice organizations such as sheriff's and probation offices, federal agencies, and detective agencies. With a focus on practical experiences, a faith-based curriculum, and valuable internship opportunities, their program prepares you for a successful career in the criminal justice field. 

Student size: 1,315

Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

Tuition: $28,960/year

To learn more about Waynesburg University, visit page 110 of THE Guide. 

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Final Thoughts 

Whether you want to become a lawyer, investigator, or police officer, these schools can provide you with the essential skills necessary to become a guardian of society. By choosing a Christian college to pursue your degree, you can gain knowledge and connect with a community that shares your values. This unique combination of faith and education can give you a sense of purpose and a commitment to serving God and your country. To find more Christian colleges and universities with criminal justice programs, utilize our School Search Tool and THE Guide. Happy learning! 

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