What You Learn as a Criminal Justice Major

Do police dramas leave you on the edge of your seat? Are you a true crime follower? Do you parse out the legal argument in every fictional courtroom case? With a degree in Criminal Justice, you could turn your passion for the field into a career. Work in law enforcement, the court system, or in corrections. All three paths are open to you when you major in Criminal Justice.

Introduction to the Criminal Justice Major

As a CJ major, you’ll learn about the courts, corrections, and policing. You’ll learn how the Criminal Justice system works in the U.S., the psychology of crime, and how law enforcement prevents crime and delinquency. It starts with a basic foundation in several different subjects, including psychology, public administration, legal studies, sociology, and social work. You might take classes on these subjects as part of your elective requirement, your general education requirement, or for a chosen minor.

Theories and Practice of Criminal Justice

You’ll also learn about the theories and practices of the field. You’ll take classes on criminology, which is the study of crime from a social perspective. You’ll explore the philosophy of criminal punishment in America, and the history of U.S. Criminal Justice. As you gain an understanding of theory, you’ll also learn about how it’s put into practice. You’ll study current issues in corrections and institutionalization, procedures that law enforcement agencies follow, and how the court systems in other countries compare to the court system in the U.S.

Law and Ethics of Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice goes hand-in-hand with legal studies, so you can expect to cover the U.S. legal system during your studies. The history of criminal law, how crimes are classified, and criminal liability will be a part of the curriculum. You’ll also learn about the juvenile justice system, including how the law applies to minors, the social issues that surround juvenile delinquency, and the policies created to prevent it. And you’ll learn about the ethics that govern how you should behave on the job. For instance, if you work in law enforcement, you’re ethically bound to report an officer who violates legal practices.

Criminal Justice Research

Do the policies and programs created to reduce crime and keep communities safe actually work? To determine that, research is needed to assess and evaluate decisions made in the field. You will be introduced to different research methodologies, such as surveys, interviews, and statistical analyses, and when to apply them. You’ll also review case studies, explore the evolution of research methods, and learn about the issues that can arise when conducting research.

Soft Skills Needed to Work in the Criminal Justice Field

In addition to learning the hard skills and knowledge that you’ll need for a Criminal Justice career, you’ll also gain soft skills in a CJ program that will help you succeed in the field. You’ll learn how to think critically and solve problems. You learn how to make sound decisions and how to communicate with diverse populations. And you’ll learn about technology and how it’s used in the field. If you take online classes, you’ll hone your own tech skills, which are valuable in any career.

If you’re ready to become a CJ major, contact Limestone University today. We offer a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice taught by faculty who have a combined total of more than 100 years of experience in the field and in the classroom. Request more info now.