Criminal Justice

Program Overview 

Criminal justice careers are among the fastest-growing in the U.S. economy. The Dean College Criminal Justice program is structured to provide you the basic knowledge and skills necessary to enter directly into the criminal justice field, including law enforcement; courts and corrections; working with at-risk or court-involved children, teens or adults; counseling and case management; forensics and so much more.

Dean College offers an associate degree in Criminal Justice, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security. From an acute knowledge of the justice system to managing social situations and understanding criminal conduct, you will have a full grasp of all the technology, information, and skills required for professionals in this fast-paced and ever-changing field.

You'll develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts as well as legal, political and economic factors that influence the criminal justice system and the people who are impacted by it. You’ll learn directly from faculty members who are also senior practitioners in the law enforcement and federal government fields, giving you plenty of real-world insights. Every course you’ll take has a practical application geared towards building your skills in criminal justice, security and leadership. You will:

• Study core principles of national and international criminal justice, security management, homeland security, cybersecurity, and intelligence community
• Build strong leadership skills needed to manage security-related operations and activities
• Master the latest advances in security systems, equipment, technologies, and cybersecurity practices
• Gain experience working with a juvenile population in any capacity (i.e., sports teams, summer camp counselor, parks and recreation programs, and community/religious youth groups)
• Gain related experience in employment interviewing, social casework, substance abuse, and rehabilitation