Our Mission

The mission of the Criminal Justice Administration Department is to encourage lifelong learning and scholarship, to produce qualified and knowledgeable graduates, and to foster development of ethical professionals prepared for leadership positions in the criminal justice and justice fields. The department is devoted to emphasizing quality teaching and learning, to providing an international perspective and to promoting the value of community service. The Department seeks to further the study and understanding of criminal justice through our teaching, service to the University and service to the community.

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
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The Criminal Justice Administration Department has expanded its programs to include two new degrees. In addition to the extremely versatile Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration and the Associate of Science in Law Enforcement, the Criminal Justice Department introduces the Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Juvenile Justice.

Another recent addition is the dual degree in Computer Forensics, offered with the Computer Information Science Department. These exciting degree programs are complemented by four minors, including criminal justice administration, juvenile justice, corrections and the very popular CSI-Crime Scene Investigation. The many new combinations offer a myriad of opportunities for students who are seeking careers in the justice system and justice related fields.

The Criminal Justice Administration degree offers academic training coupled with "real world" practical training for students pursuing careers as criminal justice professionals. The Criminal Justice program provides a varied and flexible curriculum, small classes, faculty who provide individual academic attention, international educational opportunities and a unique learning environment.

The Criminal Justice Administration degree program offers a varied curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse student body. The program prepares students for a wide variety of careers as criminal justice professionals as well as graduate programs in law, criminal justice and other related fields. The Criminal Justice program prepares students for careers in traditional fields such as law enforcement, juvenile justice, corrections, probation and parole, and private or industrial security. The program also prepares students for investigative positions with federal agencies, state and local agencies, insurance companies and other private enterprises. In addition, a criminal justice administration degree will prepare students for the many new opportunities in the areas of safety and security.

The Criminal Justice Department offers a flexible curriculum to serve the needs of the student body. In addition to day, evening and weekend courses, students can obtain the Criminal Justice Administration degree and the associate of science degree over the Internet. The many hybrid courses combine the benefits of the classroom experience with the flexibility of the Internet courses by meeting on campus weekly, monthly or at other intervals, but conducting much of the course via the Internet. The Department offers criminal justice professionals who have experience in the field college credit for work experience through the portfolio process. The Department also recommends that all students participate in the internship program, where students receive college credit for working side by side with practicing criminal justice professionals.

Our faculty members are attentive to student needs and strive to prepare students for challenging criminal justice careers. They have 100 years of combined practical experience in criminal justice fields, including experience as law enforcement officers, juvenile officers, assistant prosecutors, legal advisers, criminal investigators and child abuse investigators. In addition, our faculty members have experience in private law practice, security administration, mental health coordination and non-profit agency administration.

The Criminal Justice Department emphasizes the international mission and provides students with opportunities to study and travel abroad to view firsthand other criminal justice systems around the globe. Our faculty and students have explored the justice systems in England, France, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Italy, Israel, Spain, and Costa Rica. In the years since the international mission was implemented, approximately 350 criminal justice students have studied abroad.

The state-of-the-art Mills Anderson Justice Center is the busy home of the Criminal Justice Administration Department at Missouri Southern State University. The Department boasts a high-tech mobile Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The facility features a modern indoor "live-fire" firearms range and two firearms training simulation systems. The auditorium provides a forum for lectures and meetings as well as for advanced training seminars for practicing criminal justice professionals. These seminars are taught by nationally recognized criminal justice professionals, allowing students to learn from the experts and network with potential employers. The Criminal Justice Department at Missouri Southern State University also operates the 600-hour Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy.

The Criminal Justice Administration degree will allow students to take advantage of the many traditional career opportunities as well as the multitude of new opportunities in criminal justice, especially in the areas of homeland security and global security.