Prepare to Lead Change with a Criminal Justice Degree
The societal outcry for a fresh look at all aspects of the criminal justice system makes this an exciting time to study criminal justice with APU’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth from now until 2022 in several occupations related to criminal justice, such as information security analysts, paralegals and legal assistants, private detectives and investigators, security guards and gaming surveillance officers, and criminal justice and law enforcement teachers. The BLS also projects several replacement positions available in law enforcement. Criminal justice majors will be needed to provide leadership in all areas of this vital field.
Ashley Lucas ’19 is a sophomore criminal justice major at Azusa Pacific University. See how Ashley’s academic research shaped her understanding of her studies.
Why Study Criminal Justice?
APU’s criminal justice degree equips students to analyze methods of reducing crime; advance police practices; improve prison, jail, and parole policies; and make society safer. Completion of the program will enable students to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of traditional and contemporary criminology theories.
- Critique, from theoretical and practical perspectives, how major components of the justice system respond to crime, criminals, and victims.
- Employ data and methods of social science research to respond to contemporary criminal justice systems.
- Illustrate ways in which social inequalities are linked to differential justice within criminal justice systems.
- Demonstrate a Christian worldview in recognizing, understanding, and applying ethical reasoning skills in criminal justice.
Get to know our criminal justice faculty.
The most impactful part of APU’s criminal justice major is that the professors are there to support and push you in striving to become a better you. The classes touch on different parts of the criminal justice system—the courts, corrections, and law enforcement—and allow us to engage in different perspectives from professors and students. They help build my knowledge in different areas of the criminal justice field, which helps prepare me for pursuing a career in federal law enforcement.
Gain In-Depth Learning Experiences
Students experience active learning in real-world contexts: touring local prisons; volunteering in the community with at-risk youth; interning with local police departments, courts, and law offices; and hearing from professionals in the field at different stages of their careers. Study away programs are also available.
Is This Major Right for You?
You’re a criminal justice major if you:
- Want to make a difference by creating laws, aiding at-risk youth, and protecting the rights of individuals.
- Are the type of person who asks hard questions, challenges practices, and looks to implement innovative solutions.
- Desire to critically analyze criticism of the criminal justice system.
- Are interested in creating programs to aid and address victims of crime, juvenile offenders, and the formerly incarcerated returning to our communities.
Download the Criminal Justice major brochure.
Azusa Pacific also offers a bachelor’s completion program in criminal justice at the Inland Empire, Murrieta, and San Diego regional campuses. This program is designed for transfer students who have at least 15 units.
Note: This information is current for the 2022-23 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.