Criminal Justice
Our country is governed by the rule of law, proper administration and enforcement of the criminal justice system promotes an orderly society.
Criminal Justice, B.S.
Criminal justice degree graduates often find employment in a variety of settings including:
- Customs and Border Protection
- Community Health Programs
- Department of Corrections
- Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Drug Enforcement Agencies
- Private Security Agencies
- Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement
- Counseling of crime victims and perpetrators
- Colleges and Universities, and more.
Careers in criminal justice often allow their practitioners to help people in need and protect others from harm by keeping individuals, communities, and other populations safe. Many of these careers involve protecting communities, investigating crime, and the enforcement of laws. There is a strong demand for criminal justice degree graduates with over 2.5 million people currently working in the field. Graduates learn transferable hard and soft skills that are valuable in all career options. The skills and knowledge acquired will set you up for careers in criminal justice and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the criminal justice degree designed for?
A Criminal Justice degree is designed for students who are interested in understanding crime, law, public safety, and the justice system, and who may wish to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, security, or related fields. This academic program is well suited for aspiring law enforcement professionals, individuals interested in corrections and rehabilitation, students who may wish to pursue careers in the legal system, and future public servants and policy makers.
What do you study in a criminal justice program?
In the Criminal Justice degree program, students study how the justice system operates from the investigation of crimes through court proceedings and correctional supervision. Coursework explores law enforcement, criminal investigations, courts, corrections, criminological theory, and public policy, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of crime and the administration of justice.
Can you earn a criminal justice degree online?
Yes, courses in the Criminal Justice degree program are offered both online and in-seat.
What can you do with a criminal justice degree?
A degree in Criminal Justice holds the most value for those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, corrections, courts, security, or related fields. It is well suited for aspiring law enforcement professionals, individuals interested in corrections and rehabilitation, those who wish to pursue careers in the legal system, and those interested in graduate and professional programs such as law school.
What jobs can you get with a criminal justice degree?
A Criminal Justice degree can lead to employment in law enforcement agencies, correctional agencies, courts, private law offices, security, emergency management, or other related fields of public service.
News Briefs
June Anderson Foundation awards scholarships to 4 nontraditional MTSU students
For four women at Middle Tennessee State University, the June S. Anderson Foundation’s annual scholarships are providing a boost of encouragement to their lives — and their budgets — providing much-needed support as they pursue their degrees.[ Read More ]
MTSU workshop equips Tennessee criminal justice teachers with hands-on training, classroom resources
From processing outdoor crime scenes to excavating skeletal remains, teachers from across Tennessee spent a day sharpening their skills over the summer at Middle Tennessee State University's fourth annual Criminal Justice High School Educators Professional Development Workshop.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
June Anderson Foundation awards scholarships to 4 nontraditional MTSU students
For four women at Middle Tennessee State University, the June S. Anderson Foundation’s annual scholarships are providing a boost of encouragement to their lives — and their budgets — providing much-needed support as they pursue their degrees.[ Read More ]
MTSU workshop equips Tennessee criminal justice teachers with hands-on training, classroom resources
From processing outdoor crime scenes to excavating skeletal remains, teachers from across Tennessee spent a day sharpening their skills over the summer at Middle Tennessee State University's fourth annual Criminal Justice High School Educators Professional Development Workshop.[ Read More ]
Criminal Justice, B.S.
The Criminal Justice industry offers a rich array of career options for anyone interested in fighting crime and lessening its effects on the innocent.
Employers of MTSU Criminal Justice degree alumni include
- Brentwood Police Department
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Chattanooga Police Department
- Clarksville Police Department
- Davidson County Community Corrections
- Davidson County District Attorney’s Office
- Davidson County Juvenile Court
- Davidson County Sheriff’s Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Federal Probation and Parole
- Lavergne Police Department
- Memphis Police Department
- Murfreesboro Police Department
- Nashville Metro Police Department
- Providence Probation Services
- Public Defender of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County
- Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office
- Rutherford County Juvenile Court
- Rutherford County Public Defender’s Office
- Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department
- Smyrna Police Department
- Spartan Probation Services (Warren County)
- State of Tennessee, Board of Probation and Parole
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
- Tennessee Department of Corrections
- Tennessee Department of Homeland Security
- Tennessee Emergency Management Association
- Tennessee Highway Patrol
- Tractor Supply Co.
- U.S. Border Patrol
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
- U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement
- U.S. Marshals
- U.S. Secret Service
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Other programs within Criminal Justice Administration department
- B.S. Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- B.S. Law Enforcement
- M.C.J. Criminal Justice Administration
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