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In response to a long history of requests, ��ݮӰ�� is adding a criminal justice emphasis to its political studies major.

Courses include Intro to Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Evidence, and The Judicial Process. They are hoping to offer additional electives such as Criminal Investigation, Probation and Parole, and Police Organization and Administration as the interest grows.

Dr. Michael Forgerson, a professor of business administration in ��ݮӰ��’s School of Business & Communication and a practicing attorney, says that ��ݮӰ�� has often received inquiries about a criminal justice program. When the opportunity to build one arose, he was “happy to step up.”

“I think this program will be particularly good for those interested in law enforcement,” Forgerson says. “My understanding is that they don’t want to hire an 18 year-old fresh out of high school into the police academy. So it can be very helpful to get your degree first and learn things that will make you a better, more useful police officer.”

But this isn’t the only career path for students in the emphasis, according to Forgerson. He also named the FBI and the Secret Service as possibilities. In addition, the emphasis serves as a new option for pre-law students who are interested in criminal law.

“I’m excited about teaching in this program,” Forgerson said. “And it’s great to have this opportunity to prepare students for these careers. It’s such a wonderful thing to have Christians in law enforcement, because it’s a tough area. If you’re a non-Christian in law enforcement, having someone there who can share Christ with you is going to be a huge blessing.”

The criminal justice emphasis will be open to new students in fall 2023. See this page to learn more about the program.