Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
OKWU’s Criminal Justice program equips students with real-world training and expert insights from an experienced officer, ensuring they graduate career-ready to serve with integrity and purpose.
Real-world Skills
Gain hands-on experience through criminal justice-related extracurricular activities, internships with law enforcement and legal firms, and ride-alongs with police departments.
Career-ready
Build a strong foundation in the criminal justice system through coursework covering key concepts and real-world applications.
Biblical Worldview Foundation
Serve with integrity and respect, recognizing the humanity in everyone while upholding justice through a Christ-centered perspective.
“The practical course material, especially in accounting, finance, and leadership became invaluable tools for advancing my career. The program provided an enhanced understanding of real-world business challenges and how to utilize the knowledge in these situations.”
Fast-Track to the Tulsa Police Department
OKWU’s Criminal Justice program and TPD’s professional training prepares students to graduate career-ready with the highest standards in innovation and community service.
- Complete your degree and earn CLEET certification through TPD’s Academy.
- Finish your final 15 credits with real-world training at one of the nation’s top 10 police departments.
- Gain tools, mentorship, and confidence to excel in law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Officer Discount
Law enforcement officers who are actively serving in the law enforcement profession and individuals who have a verifiable employment commitment from a police department, and can provide written commitment documentation, are extended the same discount as military personnel receive for the Bachelor of Science Business Administration Criminal Justice Emphasis.
Career Path
Students who graduate with a Criminal Justice degree can go on to a variety of career pathways, some of which include:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers: median salary of $67,290
- Detectives and criminal investigators: median salary of $87,060
- Correctional officers and Jailers: median salary of $47,440
- Forensic Science Technicians: median salary of $61,220
- Lawyers: median salary of $126,930
What makes OKWU’s Criminal Justice Program Different?
We believe in seeing the humanity in everyone—upholding respect and integrity as the foundation of law enforcement.
Featured Core Classes
Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course is an introductory overview of the criminal justice system, its components, and processes. This course focuses primarily on law enforcement, the court system, and corrections agencies. In addition, it examines the history, development, and philosophy of each system. This course will familiarize students with the relationships between the components of the criminal justice system as it works to deter crime, improve public safety, and punish violators.
Criminal Procedures
This course explores criminal procedure with emphasis on the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments. In addition, search and seizure, identifications, arrests, interrogations, confessions, and trial processes will be discussed within the guidelines established by the aforementioned constitutional amendments and case law.
Ethics in Criminal Justice
This course explores ethical behavior within criminal justice system and among its practitioners. It evaluates ethical predicaments, ethics in the roles of criminal justice organizations, ethics and community relations, ethics in criminal law, and individual ethical responsibility. Additional attention will be given to ethical considerations in law enforcement.
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