Students’ heightened awareness of the criminal justice system’s shortcomings and their desire to make positive change are sparking increased interest in Bellarmine University’s
Criminal Justice Studies program.
“Public discourse surrounding police use of force, for example, is at a fever pitch,” says Dr. Heather Pruss, assistant professor of Criminal Justice Studies, and enrollment is up 24 percent since 2018.
“Today, most students come into my Introduction to Criminal Justice course ready to apply a critical lens to their understanding of the field,” Pruss says. “This new ‘starting point’ allows us to push further in rethinking
current approaches and imagining innovative solutions to challenges facing the contemporary criminal justice and related systems.”
"Faculty mentors are eager to help channel your creativity and begin shaping your career path."
Of course, law enforcement is just one area of employment open to graduates with a degree in Criminal Justice Studies. Others include criminology, forensic science, Homeland Security, social services, the court system, legal services, private security,
private investigations, corrections and cybersecurity. The latter is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which projects a 31 percent increase in positions by 2029. The BLS projects 7 percent growth in law enforcement and other
protective service occupations.
Bellarmine’s Criminal Justice Studies curriculum includes courses that address historical and contemporary explanations for criminal and deviant behavior and electives on specific aspects of the criminal justice system, like courts and corrections
or juvenile delinquency. In the third and fourth years, students complete an internship experience and take a course on research methodology.
The program also draws together courses from related disciplines, including sociology, psychology and anthropology, to prepare students for a variety of career options and give them a well-rounded perspective on crime, justice and equity. Many graduates
move directly into the workforce, while others go on to graduate and professional programs in criminal justice, sociology, social work and related disciplines, as well as law school.
“There are countless ways to ‘build out’ from a Criminal Justice Studies degree at Bellarmine, and faculty mentors are eager to help channel your creativity and begin shaping your career path,” Pruss said.