Criminal Justice Schools in Mississippi

Mississippi Valley State University's criminal justice program introduces the foundations of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts and corrections. Curriculum covers crime prevention strategies, criminal law, and juvenile justice systems, as well as private and industrial security. Students also complete a two to three month internship at a criminal justice agency. The school recommends that the internship be completed during summer months, but a fall or spring internship is also accepted. Current students and alumni can access the school's career services, which offer on-campus interviews and access to job, internship, and scholarship postings.

Students in the University of Southern Mississippi's criminal justice program complete coursework in field-specific topics such as modern corrections and criminal procedures, as well as more general fields like management, politics, and psychology. Curriculum is centered on the importance of clear communication, critical thinking, and rational analysis as they are applied to traditional criminal justice professions. Related degree programs allow learners to specialize their studies in juvenile justice or forensics. Students can pursue study abroad experiences through the criminal justice department, with destinations in Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean. Several scholarships specific to criminal justice students are available.

At the University of Mississippi, students can enter the criminal justice program as a traditional four-year major or as a transfer from a community college. The program combines classroom learning and an internship, and students can choose to focus in corrections, homeland security, or law enforcement. Many resources are in place at Ole Miss to support student success: a writing center, where students can get free writing consultations online or in-person; an information technology center that provides training and technical support; and a Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience that guides learners with academic advising and initiatives to support first-year students.

Mississippi College's administration of justice program can help prepare graduates for careers in law enforcement, homeland security, emergency management, loss prevention, or security management. Curriculum focuses on five areas of emphasis: police process, corrections process, criminology, judicial process, and homeland security. Students typically complete nine semester hours of study in each of these areas, as well as additional study in foundational criminal justice topics and electives. The school's Criminal Justice Club provides a career forum where students can hear from guest speakers representing federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.

Jackson State University offers a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, as well as a master's degree in criminology and justice services. The school offers support to its criminal justice students in numerous ways. Financial support comes in the form of academic, diversity, and development scholarships. Freshman, sophomore, and transfer students are also supported through the Academic Advisement Center, which helps learners to create a path towards graduation that will help them meet personal and professional goals. The career services center caters to students at any place in their academic career, counseling them on career choices, graduate school options, and employment opportunities.