Want to make the world safer and more secure? Interested in a career working for local, state, or federal agencies, non-profit organizations, cyber security firms, or other enterprises focused on criminal and social justice issues?
To help reduce crime, incarceration, and poverty—and enjoy a career that's anything but routine—consider a minor in criminal justice.
According to a 2017 report by the Prison Policy Initiative, the American criminal justice system holds 2.3 million people in more than 3,100 local jails, 1,700 state prisons, 900 juvenile correction facilities, and 102 federal prisons. Those numbers don't include prisons in U.S. territories, immigration detention facilities, military prisons, or jails on Native American property.
Earning a minor in criminal justice will increase your knowledge and understanding of social and criminal issues that negatively impact families and communities. It will also enable you to explore best practices for solving these problems.
Marian University criminal justice courses focus on understanding criminal behavior, criminal justice systems, mechanisms of social control, and their relationship to society. As a student who minors in criminal justice, you will:
To earn this minor, you'll complete 18 credits of courses selected from criminal justice and sociology. Coursework focuses on three subsystems within the field: law enforcement, rehabilitation, and social inequalities.
With just one required three-credit course (CRJ 270: Introduction to Criminal Justice), you will have maximum flexibility to collaborate with your academic advisor and select 12 credits from courses that explore subjects like:
In addition, you'll complete at least three credits choosing from course topics such as:
You will also complete a required internship to gain first-hand experience and insight into how criminal justice agencies operate.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared for a general, entry-level career in the criminal justice field or entry into law school or other graduate programs.
Depending on your career goals and objectives, a minor in criminal justice is versatile and complements a range of bachelor's degree programs.
You may choose to pursue employment working in law enforcement, government agencies, forensics, the legal system, or the corporate world.
B.A. or B.S. | Minor | Possible career paths |
Accounting | Criminal justice | Forensic CPA for the FBI or other federal agency |
Biology | Criminal justice | Crime lab manager |
Communication | Criminal justice | Probation, parole, or corrections officer |
English | Criminal justice | Journalist, reporter, blogger, or writer about social issues |
Nursing | Criminal justice | Forensic nurse |
Political science | Criminal justice | Police officer, detective, or ATF special agent |
Psychologist | Criminal justice | Criminal psychologist or crime scene investigator |
Sociology | Criminal justice | Research specialist for Bureau of Justice Statistics |
Spanish | Criminal justice | Border patrol or law enforcement officer |
Job outlooks and salaries depend on demand in the employment market, but here are some statistics collected by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Occupation | Growth through 2026 | Median salary (2016) |
Criminal justice educators | 3.5 percent | $67,040 |
Probation officer | 6 percent | $50,160 |
Police officers and detectives | 7 percent | $61,600 |
Lawyers | 9 percent | $118,160 |
Psychologist | 14 percent | $75,230 |
Social and community service managers | 16 percent | $64,680 |
Forensic science technicians | 17 percent | $56,750 |
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Notice of Nondiscrimination
Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disabilities in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students.
*Placement rates are gathered from data collected from graduates within six months of graduation.
Students may make a complaint to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.
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