Did you know that Criminal justice is one of the fastest growing majors within colleges across the nation, and currently, it is one of the most popular majors at High Point University? Our Number 8 #MyMajorAtHPU allows students to explore subjects such as the explanation of human behavior, the nature of crime, juvenile delinquency, social deviance, the behavioral and psychological profiling of violent criminals, crime scene investigation, drug abuse, law, trials and the courtroom process, punishment, the treatment and rehabilitation of criminals, terrorism, the protection of society and homeland security.
The criminal justice program offers many opportunities for students to apply classroom lessons to real-world situations. Students can join the Justice Club, Pre-Law Society or our local chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma (the National Honor Society of Criminal Justice)
View the website for Criminal Justice
Hands On Experience
The Department of Criminal Justice at High Point University combines classic, but lively and engaging classroom lectures, with a multitude of stimulating, experiential, hands-on activities in which students apply textbook principles to real world situations and scenarios frequently faced by justice professionals (police, detectives, prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, etc.).
Some of the hands-on learning opportunities we provide to students include:
- The “Crime House” – The ‘Crime House’ is an actual house HPU purchased fo
r use in our crime scene investigation and police courses to create mock crime scenes (such as a double homicide scene for students to process as “detectives”), mock “busts” and “raids” (warrant service), building searches (for hidden, “armed” suspects), instruction on arrest procedures (officer safety and cuffing) etc.
- Criminal Trial Court – Students spend time in both misdemeanor and felony court watching and analyzing real trials/court cases (such as murder, robbery, burglary, sexual assault, etc) in our state court system.
- The Citizen Police Academy Course – A cooperative venture with the High Point Police Department, this experiential course gives students a taste of what it is like for a “police recruit” (citizen) to go through a police academy
- Criminal Profiling – Instruction on the philosophy and techniques of “profiling” as an investigative technique in serial murder cases.
- Collaborative Research – Various opportunities exist for students to learn the mechanics of doing justice research under the direction of a criminal justice faculty member.
To see more examples of the departments mission statement and core values click here.
Alumni Profiles
Meet Ashley Prindle, a 2014 graduate now attending law school at the University of New Hampshire. She is currently focusing on criminal law to become a prosecutor or public defender.
“Through my coursework, the caring and supportive faculty, and my two advisors, Dr. Yanus and Dr. Ingram, who were both very knowledgeable about graduate school, I was able to achieve my goal of attending the University of New Hampshire School of law.”
Meet Dylan Fitzgerald, a 2015 graduate who gained real-life experience by interning with the SelfServe Office in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Courthouse.
“I never thought I would enjoy a law class, but Dr. Ingram’s ‘Courts and Trials’ class and ‘Criminal Law’ class have been the most interesting classes I have ever taken. He is always willing to give advice and information about law and law school outside of class.”
Here are some other potential career opportunities for High Point University students who graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice:
- Acceptance to law school or a graduate school in criminal justice, sociology, political science or social work.
- Federal Investigator (FBI, U.S. Marshal, DEA, Customs, INS, ATF, Secret Service, etc.)
- State Bureau of Investigation (such as SBI, SHP, DMV, etc.)
- Corporate Asset Protection Management
- Social Worker
- Insurance Claims Adjustor/Investigator
- Wildlife/Game Officer; Park/Forest Ranger
- Governmental Regulatory Agency (EPA, FDA, etc.)
Follow our #MyMajoratHPU series on the the top 10 majors at High Point University:
