Criminal Justice

Northwestern criminal justice graduates enter law enforcement, courtrooms and correctional institutions committed to seeking God's vision for justice. You'll gain an understanding of the criminal justice system's strengths—and shortcomings—in preventing and responding to crime. Whether your next step is police academy or law school, Northwestern's criminal justice program will prepare you to engage challenging topics and to serve victims, offenders, and communities with truth, compassion, and justice.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Why NWC?

As a criminal justice major or minor, you'll learn evidence-based tools that apply the science of criminal justice in real-world settings. You'll also study the impact of racial, gender and socioeconomic differences on citizens' experiences with criminal justice—and law enforcement officers' ability to serve the public with fairness and respect.

Major course topics include the criminal justice system, ethnicity and power, policing and law enforcement, corrections, and deviance and social control. To learn more about the different peoples and cultures you might encounter, consider a minor in cultural studies or mission and justice.

CONTACT

Dr. Chris HausmannDepartment Chair

100% GRAD PLACEMENT 100% of our criminal justice majors find a job or enroll in graduate school within six months of graduation.

20+ STUDY LOCATIONS Explore God's world in 19 international and four domestic locations.

LAW DEGREE IN SIX YEARS Northwestern has partnered with Drake University’s law program to help you earn a B.A. and J.D. degree in 6 years instead of the standard 7.

Outcomes

With recent national conversations about police accountability and reform, the need for professional, trustworthy law enforcement is at an all-time high. Legal positions are also projected to grow—increasing 9 percent before 2030 and resulting in nearly 117,000 new jobs. The U.S. News & World Report also cited lawyers and patrol officers as the top two best social services jobs in 2022.

Join our standout alumni at:

Drake University Law School

Des Moines, IA

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Omaha, NE

San Diego Sheriff’s Department

San Diego, CA

Sioux Center Police Department

Sioux Center, IA

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

#RaidersStandOut

STUDENTS

**Michael** Michael’s criminal justice major is preparing him to follow in his family’s law enforcement footsteps, while he’s growing in his faith and developing lifelong friendships.

ALUMNI

**Shanell** Shanell’s internship with the U.S. State Department led to a job in Washington, D.C., which provided her hands-on experience that now supports her law school studies.

FACULTY

**Chris** Dr. Hausmann is a justice advocate who teaches students evidence-based practices that lead to biblically grounded justice.

Experience

Internships

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Off-campus study

Pre-law at NWC

As a criminal justice major, you will complete a one-semester internship in a police station, courtroom or correctional institution. Students have interned with local police, Conservation Offices, the Iowa State Patrol, and nonprofit organizations that serve people on society's margins.