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Whether you are interested in law enforcement, judicial administration, corrections, juvenile justice or private security, Mount Mercy’s criminal justice major provides you with a unique blend of courses taught by professors with a broad range of experience. You will progress through a liberal arts criminal justice curriculum, enhancing your ability to assist in solving the problems within the criminal justice system and its relationship to society. Criminal justice is a relatively new academic discipline, with many programs springing up during the 1970s. Mount Mercy College had one of the first baccalaureate (four-year) criminal justice programs in the Midwest. Many two-year junior/ community/ technical colleges tend to place more emphasis on the “practical” side of criminal justice. On the other hand, most four-year criminal justice programs, like Mount Mercy, place more emphasis on critical thinking skills and the ability to “learn how to learn.” This is particularly important today as more criminal justice agencies seek applicants who can learn new information quickly and process information in a critical manner.
You are encouraged to supplement your education with studies in others areas. Interested in forensic work? You may want to consider a double major or minor in biology. Courses in computer science or accounting may be particularly relevant if your interests lie in a career combating white-collar crime. Other common double-majors include sociology, political science, psychology and social work.
The student-organized Criminal Justice Club sponsors speakers and activities, like self-defense classes and police ride-alongs. You have the opportunity to participate in community service projects, as well as assist the local SWAT team in practice scenarios such as school emergencies. Honors students are invited to join Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Society.
The criminal justice department also sponsors the college’s Mock Trial Team, a two-time national competitor that has competed against the top 64 teams in the nation.
