Take on the Toughest Challenges
Public safety requires your servant’s heart. Look beyond the uniforms, arrests, and jail cells. It takes justice to build safer communities, and you can be part of the solution with a criminal justice degree from Belhaven University.
The study of criminal justice digs deep into all the causes and consequences of crime. You learn from instructors with far-reaching, real-word experience in law enforcement, and the legal system. The study of criminal justice provides a foundational education and understanding of the criminal justice discipline, which involves police, courts, and corrections.
Criminal justice is a true integration of learning and serving. It's a vital calling that needs your thoughtful leadership. Let's get started.
Why You’ll Love Criminal Justice at Belhaven
High Demand
Criminal Justice is one of fastest growing degrees in the country, with hundreds of challenging career options.
Caring Mentors
Our expert advisors and instructors help you find the right path to the career you've been dreaming of and are experts in their field.
Close-Knit Community
Small class sizes mean more opportunities for individual instruction and meaningful interaction.
Christian Worldview
You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.
13:1 Students to Faculty
Our instructors know and care about you.
$66K Median Salary
Most employers boost compensation with generous benefits packages
68,500 Job Openings a Year
Local, state, and federal agencies are hiring criminal justice graduates at every level
Why Trust Belhaven With Your Future?
Our quality is recognized by SACSCOC, which grants our institutional accreditation and authority to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral-level degrees. Plus, we’re consistently recognized by organizations like U.S. News & World Report for our academic excellence, commitment to community service, expert faculty, and overall value.
Criminal Justice: What You’ll Study
When you major in Criminal Justice at Belhaven, you take classes in such topics as criminology, juvenile delinquency, corrections, and justice and society.
In addition, coursework includes business, psychology, social work, political science, and other fields to prepare you for employment with government agencies.
- 4-year plan for Freshmen - Criminal Justice (pdf)
- 4-year plan for Transfers - Criminal Justice (pdf)
An Unshakeable Foundation
At Belhaven, you gain more than just the depth and breadth of knowledge necessary for a criminal justice career. Your training is rooted in scripture and infused with a Christian worldview – and experience essential for both academic and spiritual growth.
Learning & Career Outcomes
What Can You Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice?
With a degree in criminal justice, you can work in state, municipal, or federal law enforcement, or choose a career in corrections, forensic science, courtrooms.
Potential career paths include:
- Police officer
- Crime scene investigator
- Federal agent in the FBI, ATF, DEA, Border Patrol, ICE, TSA, Customs and Border Protection, or Marshals Service
- U.S. Defense or Homeland Security departments employee
- Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officer
- Probation and parole officer
- Corrections manager
- Forensic accountant
- Juvenile Justice
- Homeland Security
- Paralegal
You’re also prepared to move on to graduate studies that can lead to high-profile and influential leadership positions.
The Belhaven Advantage
Fuel your academic passions and expand your career options. Belhaven offers our freshmen a unique deal: double major, and we’ll pay the tuition if you need a fifth year in school. Double major in two arts programs, pair a business degree with a STEM major … the possibilities are endless!
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5