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Criminal Justice is a field of social science which studies the theory, laws, and policies in the criminal justice system and the role of law enforcement agencies. The Criminal Justice program is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, courts, law, private security, corporate security, criminal forensics, crime scene investigation, or crime and criminological research.

Colorado Mesa University offers AAS and BA degrees in Criminal Justice. In order to pursue the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, admission to the Police Academy through our WCCC division, or completion of other law enforcement certification, is also required.

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice offers two concentration options, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. The Law Enforcement concentration allows students to complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy (POST) so they will be immediately able to seek employment in law enforcement. Opportunities abound for research in the discipline. Internships with local criminal justice agencies are also available. Criminal Justice can provide a good foundation for graduate school in areas like public safety, public administration, and law school.

Student clubs offer the opportunity to work closer with faculty, other students, and professionals within a variety of fields in settings beyond the classroom. Bachelor’s degree seeking students can join clubs and organizations such as the Criminal Justice Association in order to enrich their knowledge of the field by exposing and connecting them to various local professionals, by offering them opportunities to give back to the community, and by hosting events that offer "hands on" experience within the criminal justice field.

Learn more about CMU's Criminal Justice program

•Attorney
• Bail Enforcement Agent
• Bailiff
• Border Patrol Agent
• Caseworker
• Child Support Officer
• CIA Agent/Analyst
• Community Service Coordinator
• Conservation Officer
• Corrections Officer
• Crime Analyst
• Crime Prevention Specialist
• Crime Scene Technician
• Criminologist
• Customs Agent
• Detective
• Detention Officer
• Drug Enforcement Agent
• FBI Agent
• Fish & Game Warden
• Forensic Computer Investigator
• Fraud Investigator
• Immigration Enforcement Agent
• Information Security Officer
• Insurance Investigator
• Intelligence Analyst
• Judge
• Juvenile Court Counselor
• Law Clerk
• Magistrate
• Paralegal
• Park Ranger
• Police Officer
• Policy Analyst
• Postal Service Investigator
• Prison Guard
• Private Investigator
• Private Security
• Probation/Parole Officer
• Professor
• Profiler
• Public Safety Officer
• Research Specialist
• SBI Agent
• Secret Service Agent
• Security Analyst
• Security Guard
• Sheriff
• Social Worker
• State Trooper
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• TSA Agent
• US Marshal
• Victims Advocate
• Warden
• Youth Advocate

Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience, or training beyond a Bachelor’s Degree. To research these occupations use the Career Research Resources links below.

• Collect and analyze evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, make arrests, and testify in court about investigations
• Write reports and keep detailed records of all incidents and investigations or of progress of probationers or parolees
• Investigate a variety of crimes or suspicious activities at the local, state, or federal level
• Monitor and assist in the rehabilitation of people on probation or parole
• Manage security programs designed to protect people, facilities, and information
• Build relationships with community members, leaders, and organizations
• Airports & Transportation Facilities
• Alternative Schools
• Community Treatment/Service Organizations
• Correctional Facilities
• Courts
• Federal Government:
-Central Intelligence Agency
-Drug Enforcement Administration
-Federal Bureau of Prisons
-Homeland Security
-Internal Revenue Service
-National Park Service
-National Security Agency
-Postal Service
-Transportation Safety Administration
-U.S. Customs & Border Protection
-U.S. Department of Justice
-U.S. Marshal Service
-U.S. Secret Service
• Investigative Bureaus
• Juvenile Detention Centers/Group Homes
• Law Enforcement Agencies
• Law Firms
• Prisons
• Private Businesses
• Probation/Parole Offices
• State/Local Governments

Skills Needed by Criminal Justice majors:

• Ability to identify and analyze social problems and develop solutions
• Detail-oriented
• Knowledge of the legal system
• Ability to collaborate with other agencies
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Research skills
• Understand societies' reaction to crimes
• Ethics and moral values
• Considerations of gender & race
• Interviewing skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Computer literacy
• Understand the nature of crimes
• Patience
• Decision-making skills
• Supervision & management skills

Other Criminal Justice resources