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Criminal Justice

Charles A. Cannon College of Arts and Sciences

Criminal justice can be an active field, which is why Wingate University offers a hands-on learning environment. In fact, to earn your degree you’re required to complete an internship worth four credit hours. This internship provides you with the insight needed to map your career in criminal justice, whether it’s with the government, military or a law firm. It also gives you valuable field experience that looks great on your résumé. The dynamic learning doesn’t stop there. Our criminal justice department hosts an annual Lyceum on hot-topic issues such as gun control and sex trafficking. In addition, criminal justice majors have the opportunity to:

Ride along with police officers
Work with campus public safety
Work with courts and public assistance agencies

With hands-on education and a low student-faculty ratio, it’s no wonder this program is growing steadily, or that our department was recently awarded accolades from the Board of Visitors.

Faculty
Career Opportunities

Faculty

James Fisher-Davis

James Fisher-Davis

Adjunct Faculty, Criminal Justice

Mitchell Mackinem

Mitchell Mackinem

Associate Professor, Sociology

Christi Sporl

Christi Sporl

Department Chair, Criminal Justice, Human Services & Sociology, Associate Professor, Sociology and Human Services

Sheryl Staton Staton

Instructor, Criminal Justice

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities are varied and include:

Law Enforcement
Forensic Psychologist
Paralegal
Intelligence Analyst
Corrections Counselor
Private Investigator
Forensic Science Technician
Criminal Profiler
Investigative Reporter
Public Safety or Corrections Officer
Probation/Parole Officer
Victim Advocate

A degree in Criminal Justice also provides a solid foundation for a variety of advanced degrees.

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice Major Map

First Year

Category	To Do
Courses	Most students start pursuing this degree by taking Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Criminal Justice. It is important to get a small taste of all the social sciences.
Opportunities	The Criminal Justice Club is a must for anyone who wants to pursue the degree.
Research	An early question many students face is whether they want to be a frontline officer or whether they are better suited for other parts of the system like probation officer, victim’s advocate, or even an analyst.
Exploration	Listen to some for the guest speakers form the criminal justice system. Many adjunct faculty work in the field, take some time to meet a few of them

Second Year

Category	To Do
Courses	It is time to take many of the core courses. Juvenile Justice, Criminal Law, Corrections, and a Special Topic Class are important moving forward. It is also time to think about a minor. Students’ minors can enhance employment opportunities. Political Science and Psychology are popular choices. Depending on career aspirations accounting or biology can be valuable minors.
Opportunities	Time to branch out and other interests in clubs and groups. Being involved is great for developing the skills for a job. There are dozens of clubs and groups that can appeal to your interests. Get involved.
Research	Research internship sites. Internships are a powerful door to open potential careers. Internships are often secured through relationships. A lawyer that is a friend of the family could lead to a great internship in law.
Exploration	If you have not developed a faculty mentor by this time, its time. Faculty mentors can be your advisor or another respected person. Let an experienced voice lead you the way toward your career.

Third Year

Category	To Do
Courses	Your third year is the time to tackle those advanced core courses. You start with Criminology in the fall and Research Methods in the spring term. Make clear plans for internship for either the summer of the fall of year four.
Opportunities	The third year is, for many students, the best, most fun year. It is easy to take one’s eye off the ball and have a bad term. Take all the opportunities for volunteer work, meeting professionals or elsewhere become involved.
Research	Work with your faculty mentor on some undergraduate research, a W’engage or even a winter national. These educational visit/tours of a great way to see how the world really operates.
Exploration	Explore what you want out of your professional life. Some of the daydreams of youth and over ambitious plans are moving toward relative adult plans.

Fourth Year

Category	To Do
Courses	The last year is time to pick up what you missed and to take the special topics that interest you. If you did it right then the heavy lifting is behind you and interesting classes fill your planning. If you have not completed your internship, now is the right time.
Opportunities	Working with the Career Services office or a faculty mentor is a good idea for finding and applying for a career job. Make sure all the Lyceums have been completed.
Research	Think about life after college. It’s your life. Where you want to live and what you want to do for a living are really up to you.
Exploration	Explore your practical career options. Start applying.

My Wingate education will help me make a difference in my community because it has made me more patient, open-minded, flexible and has taught me how to deal with adversity.Taylor Barker, Class of 2020, Criminal Justice Major, Honors College

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Questions?

Dr. Christi A. Sporl
(704) 233-8650
c.sporl@wingate.edu