119 South St., BUS 200
Big Rapids, MI
(231) 591-2420
[email protected]
Bachelor's Degree
Locations:
Make a Positive Impact on Your Community
Ferris State’s Criminal Justice program offers a direct path to in-demand jobs in criminal justice by combining practical training with academic preparation. You'll learn from faculty with professional experience in policing, corrections, probation, and court administration; gaining a clear understanding of the daily responsibilities of professionals in the criminal justice field.
Through hands-on coursework, scenario-based training, and field opportunities, you will develop the core skills agencies look for when hiring. This program prepares you for careers in law enforcement, juvenile justice, private security, corrections, and a wide range of criminal justice jobs. An excellent preparation for law school or a master's degree in criminal justice, the Ferris State bachelor's degree program provides the foundation for your criminal justice career.
Career-Focused Training
Build career-ready skills through hands-on field training, scenario-based learning, and immersive coursework. This practical training supports the demands of criminal justice jobs and helps you step into professional roles with confidence and real-world experience.
Versatile Career Options
With a criminal justice degree you can pursue roles in local, state, or federal law enforcement. You may choose a career in juvenile justice, focusing on youth intervention and advocacy. Opportunities exist in corrections, probation and parole supervision, emergency management, private security, and beyond.
Internship Opportunities
Your criminal justice internship will place you directly in the field for over 200 hours of real agency experience, giving you the chance to apply your knowledge in a professional setting. You'll build confidence while making career connections that strengthen your path to employment. Many agencies hire directly from internships.
Faculty with field Experience
You'll be guided by seasoned, professional faculty who understand hiring expectations and agency demands. Their backgrounds will give you access to current criminal justice practices, evolving legal standards, and real field insights.
Program Details
Program Concentrations
Law Enforcement
Prepare for administrative and management positions with municipal, county, state and federal agencies. The program includes the entire basic training curriculum, required by Michigan law, to be a law enforcement officer. The program is accredited through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES).
Generalist
The Generalist concentration provides general education in criminal justice, as well as the option to obtain technical skills in forensic science, communication, accounting, computer information systems, human resource management, Spanish, military science or social sciences.
Corrections
The Corrections concentration emphasizes areas including probation, parole, adult institutions, and community corrections. The program is accredited through the Michigan Correction Officers Training Council.
Solve Real Cold Cases
A new elective course will give you the opportunity to act as a criminal analyst on real, unsolved homicide cases in Michigan. Guided by seasoned law-enforcement faculty, you’ll use advanced forensic tools, analyze evidence, review investigative files, and work alongside state police and detectives.
Read more about the Cold Case Investigations course
Job Market Outlook
Program News
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