Criminal Justice - Missouri Baptist University
Program Level
  • Bachelor's
Degrees Offered

BA in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

Format
  • Traditional
Department
  • College of Science & Health
  • School of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Criminal Justice Program Overview

Whether you major in Criminal Justice (CRJS), or simply take some of our many available Criminal Justice (CRJS) courses, you will benefit from the unique mission of MBU’s Criminal Justice program and its dedicated Christian faculty.

In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the academic program, Criminal Justice is an area of study that seeks to provide Christ-centered quality higher education to traditional and adult students. The major provides an opportunity to prepare for careers in the various areas of the justice system at the entry-level, and to prepare others for advancement within any agency.

Possible Careers

Whether you major in Criminal Justice (CRJS), or simply take some of our many available Criminal Justice courses, you will benefit from the unique mission of Missouri Baptist University’s Criminal Justice program and its dedicated Christian faculty. Earning a degree in Criminal Justice at MBU may be an important first step in preparing you for one of a number of solid careers such as:

  • Police Officer
  • Lawyer
  • Accident Investigator
  • Secret Service Agent
  • Bailiff
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • Corrections Officer
  • Court Reporter
  • Criminologist
  • Customs Agent
  • Detective
  • Evidence Technician
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent
  • Homeland Security Agent
  • Judge
  • Park Ranger
  • Prison Warden
  • Probation Officer
  • Security Specialist
  • Sheriff
  • Wildlife Game Warden

Criminal Justice Minor Requirements

MINOR: 21 Hours

Required Courses:
CRJS 133 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRJS 463/5631 Organization and Administration

Electives – An additional 6 hours upper division from the following courses:
HUSR 343 Disabilities: Theory and Practice
HUSR 443 Leadership in Facilitating Community Change
PSHU 403 Chemical Dependency
PSPO 323 Psychology and the Law
PSSC 443 Death and Dying
PSYC 323 Abnormal Psychology
SOCO 323 Marriage and the Family
SOCO 353 Cultural Anthropology
SOCO 413 Race and Ethnic Relations

Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Requirements

MAJOR: 42 Hours
Students must complete the following 33 hours of core requirements, and 9 hours of selected electives to total 42 hours.

TRACK I: For students who have not attended a POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified Police Academy.

CRJS 133 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation, and Parole
CRPH 423 Criminal Justice Ethics and Leadership
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law
CRJS 463 Organization and Administration
CRJS 473 Internship in Criminal Justice
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
PSSC 373 Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Electives: 6 hours Upper Division courses from Criminal Justice (CRJS, CRPS, or CRPO)

TRACK II “A” Core Curriculum 600 to 800 Hours of Academy Training *
CRJS 223 Correctional Institution
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law
CRJS 463 Organization and Administration
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
PSSC 373 Research Methods

Electives: 6 hours Upper Division courses from Criminal Justice (CRJS, CRPS, or CRPO)

TRACK II “A”: For students who have graduated and attained between the minimum required 600 hours up to 800 hours of training from a POST certified Police Academy and are certified as police officers, credit toward the major may be accepted as follows:

Completed
CRJS 133 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 473 Internship in Criminal Justice
CRJS 423 Criminal Law and Procedure

Students must complete the following coursework at MBU:
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law I
CRJS 463/563 Organization and Administration
423/523 Criminal Justice Ethics and Leadership
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics FA/SP
PSSC 373 Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences

3 hours of Upper Division courses in Criminal Justice: (CRJS, CRPS, or CRPO)

An additional 20-24 hours of electives are required to complete the 128 hour requirement. Nine of those hours must be Upper Division in order to complete the
45 hour requirement.

TRACK II “B”: For students who have graduated and attained 900 Plus Hours of training* from a POST certified Police Academy and are certified as police officers, credit toward the major may be accepted as follows: *
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law
CRJS 463/5631 Organization and Administration
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
PSSC 373 Research Methods

TRACK II “B”: For students who have graduated and attained 900 plus hours of training from a POST certified Police Academy and are certified as police officers, credit toward the major may be accepted as follows:

CRJS 133 Intro to Criminal Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRJS 473 Internship in Criminal Justice
CRJS 423 Criminal Law and Procedure
CRJS 333 Juvenile Delinquency

Students must complete the following coursework at MBU:
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law I
CRJS 463/563 Organization and Administration
CRPH 423/523 Criminal Justice Ethics and Leadership
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
PSSC 373 Research Methods in Social and Beh. Sciences

* Documented training and/or credit for prior learning may also be considered to determine the award of advanced credit hours. The awards will be granted only after a student has completed 6 hours of coursework at Missouri Baptist University, 3 of which must be within Criminal Justice. Review the “Advanced Standing Process” noted in the current catalog to petition for prior learning credit.

POST Certified Law Enforcement Academy training less than 600 hours will be reviewed on a case- by- case basis.