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Criminal Justice Administration
Program Locations
All of our Criminal Justice Administration degrees are available fully online and at the Plainview, TX campus. Please check with your local campus for degree availability. Students may also be advised at any of the following campus locations:
About this Program
A degree in Criminal Justice Administration at Wayland offers a broad range of career possibilities and experiences. With multiple fields of study within the criminal justice system, our students have opportunities to impact society in numerous ways. Whether serving as advocates and public defenders in court, helping rehabilitate juveniles and adults on probation and parole, or serving as law enforcement personnel at the local, state, or federal level, our graduates impact the daily lives of people all around the world.
Our Criminal Justice Administration students have the opportunity to take classes from a diverse range of faculty, not just in the traditional fields of law and law enforcement, but in social work, counseling, human services, public administration, psychology, and sociology. Our faculty members consist of both current and retired lawyers, judges, assistant district attorneys, military officers, law enforcement officers, politicians, licensed professional counselors, social workers, emergency response personnel, alternative dispute mediators, and public administrators. We also have a full-time Title IX expert who has developed the curriculum for our Special Victims and Investigations Specialization. This unique approach goes beyond a mere understanding of the law and how it applies to criminal offenders and helps prepare students to understand people better as a whole. In that process, our students can begin to see how the criminal justice system can work to bring about positive change in their community and within the broader scope of society.
Learning Opportunities
At Wayland, we believe hands-on experience is vital to a student’s education, which is why we offer practical learning opportunities for our students. Our Criminal Justice Administration majors can take part in mock trials, analyze simulated crime scenes, and participate in a Practicum course, which gives them the opportunity to intern with a local agency in their chosen field. Our students have interned with local law enforcement, judges, lawyers, crisis agencies, and more. In addition to their internship hours, students will conduct job searches, complete mock applications and resumes, and attend a mock interview with their professor as practice for pursuing a career after graduation.
In addition, we recognize that attending daytime classes can be a challenge for working professionals, which is why we offer the Criminal Justice Administration degree both face-to-face and fully online. Students also have the opportunity to attend evening classes at several of our campuses. With our traditional BA and BS degree options, as well as a BAS degree geared towards working adults, we offer a variety of opportunities for you to complete your educational goals.
Students pursuing the Criminal Justice Administration major may also specialize in one (or more) of the following areas:
Special Victims and Investigations
Forensics
This major helps prepare students for criminal investigations and crime scene analysis. Forensics majors focus on collecting, processing, and analyzing evidence from a variety of crime scenes and criminal investigations. A double major or minor is recommended as a concentration area (e.g., an Art major/minor for those interested in forensic sketch art; Accounting for those interested in financial fraud investigations; Computer Science or Cyber Security for those interested in cyber forensics, etc.) Students can also double major in Chemistry if they are interested in working in a lab as a forensic scientist.
Sample Courses:
JUAD 3308 - Criminal Investigation
JUAD 3313 - Murder, an Analytical Study
JUAD 3324 - Forensics in Criminal Justice
JUAD 3325 - Forensic Psychology
Catalog Information:
Criminal Justice Administration, Forensics Specialization, B.A.
Criminal Justice Administration, Forensics Specialization, B.S.
Criminal Justice Administration, Forensics Specialization, B.A.S.
Career Opportunities:
Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Analysis
Forensic Scientist
Police Sketch Artist
Cyber Forensics
Fraud Investigator
Internal Revenue Agent
Detective
Law Enforcement
This major is geared towards students who wish to work as law enforcement personnel at either the local, state, or federal level. With a broad range of options, students can work towards careers in probations, corrections, parole, police departments, homeland security, the FBI, customs, border security, etc. Minors in Psychology, Sociology, and/or Spanish are typically recommended.
Sample Courses:
JUAD 3301 - Police-Community Relations
JUAD 3309 - Police Report Writing
JUAD 3331 - Probation, Corrections, Parole
JUAD 4301 - De-escalation (coming Fall 2021!)
Catalog Information:
Criminal Justice Administration, Law Enforcement Specialization, B.A.
Criminal Justice Administration, Law Enforcement Specialization, B.S.
Criminal Justice Administration, Law Enforcement Specialization, B.A.S.
Career Opportunities:
State Trooper
FBI Agent
Border Patrol Agent
Deputy US Marshal
Correctional Officer
Juvenile Hall Counselor
Police Officer
Drug Enforcement Agent
Secret Service
Customs Agent
Probation Officer
Parole Officer
Legal Studies
This specialization is geared towards students who wish to become lawyers, judges, and policy makers by giving students a deeper understanding of the law and helping prepare students for entry-level jobs in legal offices, or pursuit of a graduate degree in Law School. With experienced lawyers, judges, alternative dispute mediators, and former politicians as instructors, students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field.
Sample Courses:
JUAD 3314 - Psychology and the Law
JUAD 3315 - Preparation for Law School
JUAD 3326 - Criminal Evidence and Court Procedures
JUAD 4313 - Alternative Dispute Resolution
Catalog Information:
Criminal Justice Administration, Legal Studies Specialization, B.A.
Criminal Justice Administration, Legal Studies Specialization, B.S.
Criminal Justice Administration, Legal Studies Specialization, B.A.S.
Career Opportunities:
Lawyer/Attorney
Judge
Policy Analyst
Consumer Protection Specialist
Victim Assistance Coordinator
Paralegal
Legal Assistant
Human Resource Assistant
Compliance Officer
Special Victims and Investigations
This specialization is geared towards students who wish to investigate, report, and respond to domestic and sexual violence crimes. Students examine criminal behavior such as sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, intimate partner violence, child abuse, and juvenile delinquency. By gaining insights into the unique aspects of violent behavior, relationships between violence in society, violence within families, and different professional responses to violence, students will be better equipped for jobs in law enforcement and community agencies.
Sample Courses:
JUAD 3302 - Rape: Investigations of Sexual Assault
SOSC 3317 - Rape: Perspectives on Sexual Assault
SOSC 3327 - Domestic Violence
SOSC 3328 - Human Trafficking
Catalog Information:
Criminal Justice Administration, Special Victims and Investigations Specialization, B.A.
Criminal Justice Administration, Special Victims and Investigations Specialization, B.S.
Criminal Justice Administration, Special Victims and Investigations Specialization, B.A.S.
Career Opportunities:
Special Victims Detective
Investigator
Victim Advocate
Crisis Center Coordinator
Domestic Violence Advocate
Human Trafficking Advocate
Sexual Assault Advocate
Child Protective Services (CPS)
Family and Protective Services
Students who graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration may also pursue graduate degrees in some of the following areas: Legal Studies, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Law School, Human Services, Counseling, and Forensic Science.