西密歇根大学

If you're a master of conflict resolution, enjoy interacting with people and are a critical thinker, you might be called to a career in criminal justice. If you think you have what it takes to combat the challenges of the future, Western Michigan University can arm you with an education that fits.

WMU offers two majors in criminal justice studies. The first is more general and will allow you to explore the breadth of the field by choosing electives that reflect their interests. Courses are available in several functional areas, including:

Criminology
Corrections
Courts
Juvenile justice
Law enforcement administration

The second criminal justice studies major offered at WMU includes a specialized Law Enforcement Certification program. If you choose this track, you will receive additional law enforcement training as a replacement for your elective courses. Additional training includes:

Marksmanship
Criminal investigation
Fire arms
Patrol procedures

Beyond the classroom

As a criminal justice studies major at WMU, you will find plenty of opportunities to gain real-world experience. In addition to internships and volunteer work, you should consider joining the Criminal Justice Student Association. Members get involved on campus and in the Kalamazoo community in activities that develop skills in team building, leadership, conflict resolution, diversity and other areas critical to the profession. The group also hosts an annual career fair, which draws dozens of agencies and law schools from around the country, allowing your to learn more about career and job opportunities that interest you.

After you graduate

Recent WMU graduates with degrees in criminal justice studies are working as:

Attorneys
Child support agents
Compliance managers
Corrections officers
Court and law clerks
Deputy marshals
Field training officers
Fish and game wardens
Insurance agents
Juvenile court counselors
Military officers
Patient technicians
Police and public safety officers
Security officers

Among the organizations they work for are:

Government agencies
Security firms
Insurance companies
Private corporations

Some graduates of WMU's criminal justice studies program seek higher education by attending law school or entering graduate programs in sociology, social psychology and criminology.