Serve your community, protect the innocent, and shape justice. NSU’s Criminal Justice degree turns your purpose into powerful career pathways.
Explore law enforcement, the legal system, and corrections. Graduate ready to serve your community in high-impact criminal justice careers.
Why Choose Criminal Justice at NSU
Launch a Purpose-Driven Career
NSU’s Criminal Justice program equips you with the knowledge, experience, and confidence to pursue justice, protect communities, and lead in law enforcement, legal services, and public safety. Flexible formats. Focused faculty. Career-ready graduates.
AT A GLANCE COURSES
Learn how justice is enforced, crime is solved, and society is protected through engaging, real-world courses designed to prepare you for today’s criminal justice careers.
Explore how police, courts, and corrections work together to uphold justice in a democratic society.
Examine why crime happens and how society responds with punishment and reform.
Minors
A minor you can take with any major, drawing on the traditions of ethnic studies with a focus on the experiences, histories, perspective, culture and scholarship of African American, African, and African Diaspora peoples.
A minor you can take with any major, drawing on the traditions of ethnic studies with a focus on Western Hemisphere Indigenous cultures, experiences, history, languages, and law.
The Minor in Creole Studies at Northwestern State University can be paired with any major, offering a rich, interdisciplinary foundation in the traditions of ethnic and cultural studies. Students examine the Indigenous cultures, histories, languages, and legal systems that have shaped the Western Hemisphere, with particular attention to Louisiana Creole heritage and its global connections.
Providing multidisciplinary training in historical research, archival methods, and digital history tools—an excellent résumé-enhancer through hands-on projects and field experiences.
The School also offers a minor for any student at NSU. Graduates have legal research and writing skills and knowledge of substantive law. Prepares students for the unique challenges and pressures of law school or for a career as a paralegal (a nonlawyer who performs substantive legal research, analysis, and writing under the supervision of a lawyer).
The Criminal Justice minor at Northwestern State University offers a strong foundation in law enforcement, courts, and corrections while complementing any major. Students gain critical thinking and analytical skills essential for careers in public service, security, and legal fields.
The Political Science minor at Northwestern State University helps students understand the forces shaping government, policy, and global affairs. This program strengthens skills in research, analysis, and communication—valuable for careers in law, public service, and leadership.
The Social Science minor at Northwestern State University offers an interdisciplinary look at human behavior, society, and culture. Students develop analytical and problem-solving skills applicable to careers in education, government, and community development.
Program Highlights
NSU’s Criminal Justice program offers unique opportunities and resources to help you succeed. From hands-on learning to personalized guidance, these highlights set our program apart.
Hands on Learning
Apply what you learn in real-world simulations and career-based scenarios that build your investigative, legal, and ethical skills.
Expert Faculty
Learn from experienced professionals who bring careers in law enforcement, forensics, and legal studies directly into the classroom.
Career Preparation
Graduate with the knowledge, experience, and skills employers seek in today’s competitive criminal justice careers.
