The Criminal Justice Program at Carthage leads students on a thorough examination of the various institutions that make up the traditional criminal justice system. Students evaluate and discuss the types of laws and practices that constitute a free, humane, secure and responsible society.

At Carthage, students majoring in criminal justice benefit from an interdisciplinary curriculum, an expert and experienced faculty, and a well-rounded, solid foundation in the liberal arts.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum

The Criminal Justice Program at Carthage gives students a complete understanding of criminal justice, from law-making to law-breaking. Students take courses in political science and sociology, in addition to traditional criminal justice courses like Criminal Law and Constitutional Criminal Procedure. Criminal justice personnel need to fully appreciate the legal issues involved in their work, the nature of the social problems they encounter, and the psychology of people whose attitudes toward law enforcement differ from their own. Without this understanding, criminal justice personnel are not well-equipped for their jobs.

Experienced, Expert Faculty

The Criminal Justice faculty includes professors with Ph.D.s in sociology, as well as professional law enforcement officers and attorneys. The department regularly invites alumni to speak to current students, which allows criminal justice majors to hear directly from graduates who have gone on to work in a variety of positions and fields.

Flexible Degree

Students who graduate with a degree in criminal justice also leave Carthage with a solid foundation in the liberal arts. They have learned to read critically, think independently and communicate effectively.

"Students leave here and they're not just trained to be police officers," says Rick Matthews, director of the Criminal Justice Program at Carthage. "They can do all kinds of things in their careers, and our graduates reflect that flexibility. A four-year bachelor's degree is something they will always have, and it's often what lets them in the door to a career they maybe hadn't considered while they were at Carthage."

Academic Resources

• Academic Calendar
• College Catalog
• Course Schedules
• Academic Advising

Prospective Students

• Admissions
• Viewbook
• Virtual Campus Tour
• Request Information

Carthage In-Depth

Carthage Symposium

Art Meets Biology. Students photograph biodiversity in Tucson, Ariz.

A special month-long period of study in January to experiment, create and dream. Read more ...