Why You Should Consider Being a Criminal Justice Major at DBU

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

If you're a prospective college student searching for the best Christian university criminal justice programs in Texas, you should definitely consider pursuing a BA/BS in Criminal Justice from DBU.

As a Christ-centered educational institution, DBU is dedicated to integrating faith and learning to develop professional knowledge and skills. DBU also aims to produce servant leaders who will use their Christ-focused academic achievements to follow their calling and make a difference in their careers and community.

DBU criminal justice Majors work with investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and other students in a global environment to help solve cold case homicides and investigations of missing and exploited persons.

To help you make an informed decision, let's delve deeper into a criminal justice major, how DBU's criminal justice program can prepare you to fulfill your calling in Christ, and the job outlook in the criminal justice field.

What is a Criminal Justice Major?

Criminal Justice is the study of crime and of the agencies concerned with controlling and preventing it. For those who feel led to this type of service, it is a challenging and rewarding field.

Many criminal justice employees like police officers, FBI agents, parole officers, and criminal investigators work to solve and deter crime and help promote peace, order, safety, and security in society.

As a Criminal Justice Major, undergraduate students can prepare for careers in diverse areas of law enforcement, the judicial system, corrections, homeland and organizational security, social services, and juvenile justice, or preparation for competition at the graduate level or law school.

The DBU Difference: Exploring Criminal Justice Through a Faith-based Lens

A criminal justice career is inherently service-driven. By pursuing a criminal justice major, students will train to enforce the law not only on a fair and just basis but also under the guidance of Biblical standards and in the scope of God's love.

Students who experience the DBU difference will incorporate faith in every aspect of learning and prepare to use their knowledge to glorify Christ in their chosen criminal justice occupation.

Following this rigorous and rewarding academic and professional direction is a big decision that every criminal justice student should make while seeking God's direction. With the proper knowledge, skills, and God's help, Christ-focused servant leaders can make a significant impact in the criminal justice system.

DBU also created the William B. Dean, M.D. Institute for Criminal Justice Leadership, designed to foster engagement, contribute intellectually, and invest financially in criminal justice leaders.

DBU's Criminal Justice Major seeks to:

• Instruct students in the societal standards of ethics along with divine truth and Christian doctrines and how these principles apply to the enforcement of the law in practice.
• Have in-service Christian instructors to provide a variety of disciplines, cases, and experiences as a reference so that students may successfully cultivate Christ-centered servant leadership in their careers of protection and service.
• Recruit Christian students with a vision and burden to enter this field and recruit qualified in-service officers for the program to be trained as Christ-centered criminal justice agents with a servant attitude.

DBU also offers a Minor in Criminal Justice for students pursuing a different related major, such as a Psychology Major.

Jobs and Job Outlook in the Criminal Justice Field

Anyone considering a criminal justice major in Texas naturally wonders what kind of jobs you can get and what the job outlook is like for various criminal justice positions.

Criminal justice majors have a broad range of job opportunities, all within three main elements of the justice system: the courts, policing, and corrections, according to U.S. News.

For example, criminal justice majors can work in the corrections system as social workers, correctional administrators, corrections officers, or rehabilitation counselors. Law enforcement positions include police officers, private investigators, and forensic science technicians. Court system jobs include bailiff, court reporter, or juvenile court counselor.

The job outlook for many roles in the criminal justice system shows expected growth. Here are some notable examples from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook.*

• Police and Detectives – 2023 Median Pay $74,910 per year. Job outlook 2023-33 4% growth (as fast as average).
• Forensic Science Technicians – 2023 Median Pay $64,940 per year. Job outlook 2023-33 14% growth (much faster than average).
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 2023 Median Pay $61,800 per year. Job outlook 2023-33 4% growth (as fast as average).
• Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners – 2023 Median Pay $63,940 per year. Job outlook 2023-33 2% growth (slower than average).

*Based on data available as of Thursday, August 29, 2024

Indeed.com also lists top criminal justice job titles and their national average salaries**, including:

• Juvenile Correctional Officer - $46,765 per year.
• Fraud Investigator - $65,852 per year.
• Private Investigator - $47,628 per year.
• Customs Officer - $69,417 per year.
• Intelligence Analyst - $42,995 per year.
• Recovery Agent - $63,996 per year.
• Border Patrol Agent - $59,938 per year.
• Criminal Investigator - $48,568 per year.
• Special Agent - $102,142 per year.
• Forensic Accountant - $78,749 per year.

*Updated on April 18, 2024

Essential skills for many criminal justice positions include:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Exceptional communication skills
• Ability to manage high levels of stress
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Staying calm and professional under pressure

A criminal justice career is inherently service-driven. By pursuing a Criminal Justice major, students will learn to provide procedural justice under the guidance of Biblical standards and in the scope of God's love.

Whether you eventually help solve or prevent crimes, work in the courtroom, or counsel inmates or crime victims, embarking on a Christ-focused criminal justice career as a DBU graduate gives you the opportunity to use your faith-based education to promote the peace of Christ in your job. 

Using the skills and experience you learn at DBU will help you positively impact your community and beyond while serving your fellow citizens and the Lord.