Criminal Justice Administration
We merge the worlds of tactical skills and critical thinking, so you can be better prepared for various careers in criminal justice.
Enroll nowTop 5 things you need to know about our Criminal Justice Administration Program
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: The new Center for Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation features cutting-edge classroom technology and the exclusive Communication, Assessment, and Tactics (C.A.T.) Lab, which houses high-tech simulators and superior training tools not available at other universities.
- Hands-On Training: The C.A.T. Lab includes a law-enforcement driving simulator and M.I.L.O. systems for de-escalation and use-of-force training, offering immersive, practical experiences.
- Experts in the field: All faculty members are former criminal justice professionals with careers in local, state, and federal agencies, bringing real-world experience to the classroom. You’ll benefit from their combined decades of on-the-job experience.
- Proven Career Success: Graduates have pursued diverse careers, including FBI agents, Secret Service agents, lawyers, and state troopers, with many returning to mentor current students.
- Unique Opportunities: Waynesburg’s combination of experiential learning, advanced technology, and faculty expertise provides unmatched preparation for a career in criminal justice.
What sets us apart
Unmatched facilities
The MILO Range Theater 180 and Pro system training offer interactive Use-of-Force and Crisis Management Training, delivering a realistic, adaptable training environment. In addition to hundreds of high-impact contemporary training scenarios, an extensive library of interactive graphics-based firearm drills and exercises are available.
Job and Internship Fair
Recruiters from the ATF, the IRS-CID, Arlington County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and the United States Pentagon Police, among others, attend our Job & Internship Fair annually. Numerous alumni have returned to Waynesburg University for the event, both to recruit for their agency and to job search.
Real-world experience
Students have the opportunity to intern at sheriff’s offices, probation offices, federal agencies, private detective agencies, police departments, law offices, coroners' offices, and other organizations.
Integrated BA/MA
Develop your investigative skills while advancing your leadership potential in law enforcement. An integrated BA/MA is available for students who have completed criminal justice coursework on the undergraduate level.
Professors in the program are expert practitioners from the criminal justice field, and you will get hands-on training, utilizing cutting-edge technology starting your freshman year.
Whether you’re learning to interview a suspect or how to prepare a search warrant, you’ll benefit from an extreme amount of hands-on experience built into the curriculum. You'll practice your tactical approach and de-escalation skills within our C.A.T. Lab, investigate mock crime scenes, prepare a case for mock trial, serve a search warrant, and conduct surveillance exercises.
In class, you will gain knowledge of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as how the Criminal Justice System functions, by examining the social, psychological, and political aspects of contemporary crime and punishment.
You will graduate understanding the history, function, and role of the American legal system, as well as research techniques, law enforcement procedures, and other skills essential to your future success in the field.
Alumni Testimonials
The Criminal Justice Program is by far one of the best programs in the country. Within 6 months after graduation, I received multiple job offers in the criminal justice field including probation and parole, corrections, police, teaching and mentoring.
Criminal Justice students at WU are taught by the best instructors the field has to offer, including experienced special agents, detectives, and attorneys. The breadth of coursework equips students with a practical knowledge of American rule of law.
The WU Criminal Justice program gave me the foundation I needed to be successful as a patrol officer. From my early days in the training and certification process, I felt I was ahead of the rest due to the knowledge I took with me from the program.
To say that the Criminal Justice program is outstanding is an understatement; the curriculum, professors, classroom scenarios, and extracurricular activities that are provided are something a student will simply have to experience for themselves.
The education that I received at Waynesburg built the foundation of my career with US Customs and Border Protection. The advanced training tools that Waynesburg teaches are some of the same that I use as a Less-Lethal Force Instructor with my agency.
Our CJ Program is top notch. But don't take our word for it...
College Factual
The undergraduate Criminal Justice Administration Program is also the No. 1 school on College Factual’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Pennsylvania for Criminal Justice” list for 2023.
intelligent
For the third consecutive year, Waynesburg’s Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation Program was No. 1 in the nation and earned the distinction as the “Intelligent Pick” by Intelligent.
Academic Catalog
Need to find a course description or review your degree requirements? View the current online catalog at the link below.
Criminal Justice News and Events
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Academics
Tue, Dec 3
Waynesburg U. student to intern with National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the spring
Learn more -
Academics
Mon, Sep 9
Waynesburg U. faculty publishes textbook on Forensic Psychology
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Academics
Tue, Apr 30
Oxford Law professor meets with University students
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175th Anniversary
Thu, Mar 7
Waynesburg U. celebrates 175 years as it breaks ground on new building