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What you will study

The Criminal Justice and Criminology minor at the University of Central Missouri prepares you with the foundational knowledge you need to work within a criminal justice agency or in a related field that often intersects one.

To establish basic skills in criminal justice and criminology, you’ll take a series of core courses that may include:

• Corrections
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Criminology
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Policing a Democratic Society

Then, depending on your primary major, you’ll take additional courses to focus your learnings in an area most applicable to your future career. 

For example, if you’re planning to pursue a law career, you may benefit from the Evidence and Courtroom Procedure Course. If you’re pursuing psychology, the Victimology elective will add to your knowledge base. Studying for a career in social work? Introduction to Juvenile Justice can help refine your skills and better prepare you to help certain clients.

 

 

Unique learning opportunities in criminal justice and criminology

Even as a Criminal Justice minor, you’ll have exciting opportunities for active engagement and real-world experience at the University of Central Missouri.

• Out of classroom experiences: You will learn more than what is in the books when you attend the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals arguments, the Criminal Justice Institute Symposium, or Constitution Week activities.  Criminal justice courses frequently take local field trips to courts and prisons, and regional trips to the Oklahoma City Memorial or the Missouri Corrections Association conference.
• Research opportunities: Find creative and engaging ways to link your studies in your primary major with the Criminal Justice minor through a research project. You can pair with a faculty mentor who will teach you helpful research methods and guide you throughout the life of your project. 
• Internships: Get real experience in the field through an internship focused on criminal justice. Depending on your interests, we can help you find placements with organizations such as the Missouri Department of Corrections, local social service agencies, police departments, prosecutor’s offices and more.
• Student life: Criminal Justice and Criminology minors can join a number of honor societies, criminal justice-related student groups and networking organizations to learn more about the field and make connections for your future career. Groups include the Juvenile Justice Association, UCM Mock Trial, the Pre-Law Student Association and NAMI, among others.
• Study abroad: Learn how the criminal justice system works in other countries by attending a faculty-led study tour abroad. Past trips have taken students on 10–14-day excursions to places such as Italy, Japan, Turkey and South Korea.

 

What can you do with a minor in Criminal Justice and Criminology from UCM?

The Criminal Justice and Criminology minor at the University of Central Missouri prepares you for roles that relate to the criminal justice system.

Stand out in your job search by showing prospective employers that you have important context about the theories and practices of how the criminal justice system operates. This prepares you for careers in:

• Adoption services
• Corrections
• Domestic violence counseling
• Insurance fraud investigations
• Private security
• Reentry coordination
• Social work
• Victim advocacy

Jobs related to criminal justice

Explore the projected career growth for jobs connected to criminal justice and criminology using the interactive tool below. You can also explore salary expectations and career paths.

 

 

Financial assistance options for your Criminal Justice and Criminology minor

The University of Central Missouri’s financial aid counselors work with you to put your education within reach. In fact, LendEDU has recognized UCM as a top-ranked university for low student debt upon graduation.

You can earn a high-value minor at an affordable price because of the many ways we help you finance your education, including: 

• University scholarships
• Assistantships
• Grants
• Tuition awards

In addition to this financial aid, we also offer exclusive scholarships and awards for students enrolled in certain undergraduate majors. You can learn more about program-specific scholarships for your major at the UCM Scholarship Finder.