Criminology and Criminal Justice

To inquire about this program:
Dr. MaryAnn Thrush| 423.869.6099 | maryann.thrush@LMUnet.edu

Do you want a career that makes a difference? Do you want to have a positive impact on people's daily lives? Then consider LMU's Criminology and Criminal Justice program. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, justice ethics, critical evaluation of criminal justice policy, and theories of crime and victimization. Students gain the knowledge and experience for a career in law enforcement, court administration, corrections, probation and parole, private industry or advanced study in a graduate program or law school.

Click here for the Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty listing.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science
Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Special Features

Small class size translates into more personal interactions with fellow students and your professors. Most classes in the program have 30 or fewer students, which allows faculty to provide you with the individualized attention you need.

To ensure the quality of our curriculum, we've created a Criminal Justice Curriculum Advisory Board, which brings together academics and criminal justice professionals to develop courses that comply with the ACJS academic standards and provide you with diverse educational experiences.

We offer a senior seminar as a capstone course in which students develop an original research project related to their interests in criminal justice. Using the concepts, theories, and skills you've learned in previous classes, you'll apply that knowledge to practical criminal justice issues.

Four Year Plan

Criminology and Criminal Justice - Four Year Plan

Course Information

Majors in the program take the following courses:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Statistical Methods
• Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Criminology
• Criminal Justice Capstone Seminar
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Psychology
• American Government
• Elective courses selected based upon student goals and interests

Minors

A minor is also available, which currently requires:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Introduction to Criminology
• Three electives in Criminal Justice

These areas are subject to change.

Internships

All criminal justice majors are encouraged to complete a field internship in a local, state, or federal criminal justice agency of their choosing. This real-world experience allows you to apply what you've learned in the classroom, gain valuable work experience, and an opportunity to foster professional contacts, all of which are useful once you begin your career.

Students have completed internships with multiple agencies including:

• Attorney General's Office, 8th Judicial District
• Bell County Circuit Court
• Claiborne County Sheriff's Department
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
• Tennessee Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole

Career Opportunities

Graduates of LMU's program are prepared for entry-level careers in:

• Law enforcement
• Criminal investigations
• Crime prevention
• Juvenile intervention
• Victim assistance programs
• Court administration
• Prisons, jails, penology
• Community corrections, probation and parole
• Private and corporate security
• Drug enforcement & interdiction
• Federal agencies including the
• FBI and BATFE
• Law school
• Graduate education in criminal justice or criminology

Clubs & Organizations

The Alpha Beta Epsilon Chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association is open to all students interested in criminal justice or legal issues. Along with organizing a number of community service and campus awareness projects, the organization brings guest speakers to campus and coordinates several field trips and social gatherings throughout the year.

Within the coming year, LMU also plans to charter a chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, which selects criminal justice and pre-law majors who meet the academic eligibility criteria. Membership is a sign of high achievement and an indicator of student success, both of which are important to many employers.

LMU also sponsors a wide variety of student organizations that are open to students. These organizations provide opportunities for community engagement, collaboration, and leadership.