Department of Criminal Justice

Studying criminal justice at Wayne State

Wayne State's Criminal Justice programs will prepare you for careers in the exciting fields of law enforcement, criminalistics, corrections, probation and parole, court services, asset protection, corporate and private security, and juvenile justice. Our hands-on learning experiences go beyond the classroom.

Student clubs like the Wayne State Criminal Justice Association (WSCJA) provide opportunities to tour correctional facilities, visit police departments, observe parole board hearings and criminal trials. All these activities focus on service, development of leadership skills, and career opportunities in the criminal justice field.

The Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory (commonly called “the CSI House”) is a state-of-the-art learning facility designed to immerse students in real-world criminal investigations in a controlled yet authentic environment. Primarily used by forensic studies and criminal investigations classes, this space allows students to practice crime scene photography, 3D mapping, blood spatter analysis, and collect physical evidence, including various bodily fluids and latent fingerprints.

Online criminal justice degree options
If you are already working in the field and want to obtain a degree, then our online bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or online master's in Criminal Justice Administration might be for you. Our online offerings let you fit a degree into your busy schedule. We have the best tuition rates around for in-state and out-of-state students. And, if you’re a current law enforcement officer, you may be eligible for a credit of 100% of tuition charges through the First Responder and Dependent Education Benefit.

The professors in the Criminal Justice Department not only teach from materials they’ve studied, but they have experience in the field and know what they are talking about. The CSI facility is led by an instructor who worked in the forensic science field, and we learn to use actual materials that are used in the field. There is also a club for criminal justice majors that provides us with opportunities to visit jails, courts, police departments, and go on other excursions. You really get to learn things that’ll give you a leg up for when you’re ready to enter the field.

Sha-Ony Obispa

Curaçao

Major: Criminal Justice