Department of Criminal Justice & Civic Sciences
Criminal Justice & Civic Sciences
LSUA’s Department of Criminal Justice & Civic Sciences offers comprehensive degree programs in criminal justice, disaster science and emergency management, and political science. The department provides rigorous academic training that blends theory with practical application, preparing students for law enforcement, public safety, government, and community service careers. Faculty deliver expert instruction in research, policy analysis, and crisis management. Emphasizing civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration, the department supports student success through an innovative curriculum and hands-on learning experiences. LSUA’s programs equip graduates with essential skills to address complex societal challenges and enhance community well-being.
Degree Programs
Criminal Justice, BS
with Concentration in Criminal Psychology
LSUA Criminal Justice: Above the National Average
Choosing where your student will study Criminal Justice is one of the most important decisions on the path toward a career in law enforcement, corrections, or the courts. At LSUA, we don't just talk about preparing students well, we measure it, and the results speak for themselves.
Each year, our graduating Criminal Justice majors take a national standardized exam that compares their knowledge against that of students at colleges and universities across the country. On our most recent results, LSUA students scored above the national average in every single area tested, including:
Law enforcement practices and procedures
Understanding the court system
Corrections and community supervision
Theories of criminal behavior
Legal principles and the law
Critical thinking and problem solving
Research methodology and statistics
These are the exact areas of knowledge that police academies, agencies, and employers look for in a well-prepared candidate. A strong, well-rounded showing across every category tells you that LSUA students aren't just passing their classes; they're building the real, applicable skills that a career in law enforcement demands, from the day they graduate through the start of their career.
For parents asking what sets LSUA apart from other Criminal Justice programs, this is a meaningful answer. National third-party testing takes the guesswork out of the comparison. Our students are consistently performing above the national average, reflecting the quality of instruction, the hands-on approach of our faculty, and a curriculum built around what students actually need to succeed once they graduate.
When you choose LSUA for your student's Criminal Justice education, you're choosing a program with results you can verify, not just promises.
From Classroom to Career
Connect your studies to real opportunities
Up to 15 specified credit hours may be awarded for those who have completed police academies. See Prior Learning Assessment under Office of the Registrar.
Up to 9 specified credit hours may be awarded for those who have completed Introduction to Correctional Techniques through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Entry to law school requires a high score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). In order to accomplish that, one’s research skills, analytical skills, and writing skills must be honed razor sharp.
There are several academic disciplines that are considered to be traditional preparatory paths for law school – Criminal Justice, History, English, Political Science, Economics, and Business. LSUA’s Criminal Justice faculty collaborate yearly with a law school to provide testing strategies and sample LSAT testing. For those focusing on practicing in the criminal system. Criminal Justice is the degree to prepare you.
Students who earn this baccalaureate degree will produce the high-quality work that will make them eligible for a Political Science graduate program; or entrance into law school; or graduate education in library science; or elementary education with alternative certification program; or secondary education in social studies with a Secondary Education Minor or alternative certification. The BGS-POLI degree will also make graduates more attractive for immediate employment in the public sector at the federal, state and local government level.
Some students may not intend to pursue those careers that have traditionally been associated with a Political Science degree (i.e., Law School or elective office); instead, they may wish to acquire a foundation in Political Science to complement another area of expertise such as business administration, criminal justice, government, or human service. The increasing realization of the relevance of Political Science to these and other fields means that such career possibilities are likely to only increase in the coming years.
A bachelor’s degree with the Disaster Science and Emergency Management concentration can lead to a career in federal, state, or local government. Career positions such as Emergency Management operations, private-sector emergency management consulting, international organizations that have an emergency management or disaster relief aspect, nonprofit organizations, policy advocacy, and journalism are among them. It is excellent preparation for graduate study in this field, which can lead to a career in research and/or college or university teaching. One can also benefit from studies in DSEM, without pursuing it as a professional career, simply by being a knowledgeable resource who can help family, friends, and neighbors understand the nature of an unfolding disaster or emergency and what to expect Emergency Management authorities to do (or not do) about it.
Meet the Faculty
Jason "Jay" Callegari, Ph.D.
Department Chair of Criminal Justice & Civic Sciences, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Samantha Mitchell
Advising & Retention Specialist
Professional Advisor for the College of Social Sciences - Staff Senator
Beth Whittington, M.A.
Dean of College of Social Sciences, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
