Earn Your Degree in Criminal and Community Justice
In Viterbo's criminal and community justice program, you will develop the knowledge and skills crucial for a career in the criminal justice system. The program emphasizes how community agencies collaborate to ensure community safety, using best practices for offenders and crime victims. It provides an interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach that strongly emphasizes ethical leadership and active engagement with local justice agencies. This prepares you not only with a comprehensive understanding but also a clear career path within the diverse agencies of our justice system.
Community and Criminal Justice Majors
As a community and criminal justice major, you will become immersed in many aspects of the legal system, including corrections, the courts, law enforcement, and victim services. You will gain an understanding of the structure and function of the criminal justice system and develop a strong awareness of social issues, ethics, and the impact of class, race, and gender in the profession.
Explore Viterbo’s Criminal and Community Justice Degrees
Criminal and Community Justice (BA)
Discover open doors to meaningful careers across the legal system, from corrections and the courts to law enforcement and victim advocacy. The Criminal and Community Justice BA program offers a rich, interdisciplinary understanding of criminal justice, deepening your insight into societal challenges, ethical issues, and the powerful roles that class, race, and gender play in the field. Centered on community-based approaches, you’ll explore how collaborative efforts and social change can address the root causes of crime, foster safer communities, and contribute to a more just society.
Criminal and Community Justice (BS)
Explore many aspects of the legal system and careers in corrections, the courts, law enforcement, and victim services in the Criminal and Community Justice BS. You will gain knowledge of the criminal justice system's structure and function and develop awareness of social issues, ethics, and the role of class, race, and gender in their profession. The major focuses on the importance of communities in addressing and finding solutions for delinquent and criminal behavior.
Criminal and Community Justice (Minor)
The Criminal and Community Justice Minor at Viterbo University requires 12 credits of CRMJ. Transfer courses, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Advantages for Majors in the Criminal and Community Justice Program at Viterbo
- Develop hands-on experience in the field. As a community and criminal justice major, you will complete an internship with a local agency, providing valuable real-world experience and insights into community and criminal justice in practice. Your internship could be completed with organizations such as the police academy, a district attorney’s office, or a probation and parole office.
- Learn from community and criminal justice professionals. Your classes will be led by instructors who have worked in the field, bringing extensive practical experience to enhance your learning. You will be mentored and guided by professionals eager to understand your academic and professional goals and help you succeed.
- Enjoy individualized student support. Our faculty and staff will work closely with you to determine your areas of interest and provide personalized career advising. You will also have access to the extensive support Viterbo offers all students.
What Can You Do With Your Degree in Criminal and Community Justice?
Graduating with a major in criminal and community justice will prepare you for a professional career in a social science field or graduate school.
Graduates with an undergraduate degree in community and criminal justice can pursue professional career positions such as:
- Correctional officer
- Cybersecurity professional
- Paralegal
- Police officer or sheriff’s deputy
- Private detective or investigator
- Probation and parole officer
- Professional security guard
Recent Viterbo graduates have accepted positions as:
- Active duty military
- Deputy jailer (Monroe County, Wisc.)
- Jail and dispatch officer (Houston County, Minn.)
- Jail clerk (La Crosse County Sheriff’s Dept.)
- Police officer (Campbell, Wisc.; Viroqua, Wisc.; San Diego, Calif.; West Bend, Wisc.; U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Probation and parole officer (La Crosse County, Wisc.; Vilas County, Wisc.)
- Security officer (Gundersen Healthcare)
- Sheriff’s deputy (La Crosse County, Wisc.; Clark County, Wisc.; Pierce County, Wisc.)
- Forest Officer (Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources)
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