Criminal Justice Liberal Arts Transfer Major

TV shows like CSI, SVU, SWAT, NCIS, and Criminal Minds have captivated audiences worldwide. Their popularity has created a high level of interest for careers in the growing field of criminal justice with a need for individuals possessing skills in computers, science, technology, psychology, and social sciences.

Those who study criminal justice can work in public service in a number of different ways:

• Like biology? Become a lab technician and help solve crimes using DNA, fingerprints, and evidence analysis.

• Like computers? Become a forensic computer investigator and help find children who are trafficked, solve financial crimes, and track criminal enterprises.

• Like psychology? Become an investigator specializing in interview, interrogation, and profiling.

• Like social work? Become a forensic child interviewer and work with Juvenile Court Services or become a victim’s advocate or a probation officer.

• Do you have a history of substance abuse and now want to help others kick the habit? You can start your degree here and work toward the treatment sector.

We need ethical people who want to make a difference in our society. We need people like you who are interested in being part of the next generation of criminal justice professionals.

Whether you are just finishing high school or looking for a career change, Hawkeye’s Criminal Justice transfer major will start you on your path to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice.

Join us to see how your unique skills can be used to serve in the field of criminal justice.

Planning Your Class Schedule

Students should consult with an advisor in Student Services to select courses, make a transfer plan, and periodically review their progress towards their degree completion.

Students are also encouraged to contact the admissions office at the college to which they plan to transfer during their first year at Hawkeye in order to obtain specific program and transfer requirements.

Not all courses may be required for transfer to your future major.

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Your Criminal History Matters

As a future criminal justice professional, students need to use good judgment in all areas of their personal, professional, and scholastic interactions and activities; and must keep their records clean. Criminal justice organizations require background checks for internships, volunteer placements, and employment; which will include adult and juvenile civil and criminal issues, official and informal contacts with police, and character references. Employment will also hinge on the successful completion of a polygraph, credit check, and psychological evaluation.

Be aware that character counts and your behavior can sabotage your ability to graduate from this program and your ability to work in the field. Consider what your actions and criminal history says about you….i.e. an OWI conviction indicates that you demonstrate poor judgment by drinking to excess and deciding to drive, which may kill or injure you or another person. Remember your personal behaviors (what you didn’t get caught for) will be revealed during the polygraph, and what you do privately (when no one is watching or supervising) speaks volumes as to the true content of one’s character.

If you want to work in criminal justice avoid these issues:

• Acquiring speeding tickets or safety violation citations.
• Acquiring a suspended driver’s license or citations for driving with a suspended license.
• Participating in underage drinking, using fake ID’s, or buying alcohol for underage persons.
• Use or abuse of prescription drugs, street drugs, club drugs (ecstasy), marijuana, or synthetic drugs.
• Engaging in theft of property, goods, or services.

You will not be employable in criminal justice if you have:

• Felony convictions.
• Domestic abuse convictions.
• Placement on an abuse registry (Sex offender, child/elder abuse).
• Drug convictions, or history of drug use or abuse (methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, etc.) Each agency (city, county, state, or federal) sets their own limits on marijuana use from zero tolerance to a limited amount of use, and factors in how recent the use was.
• Weapons violations.

Ultimately, criminal justice employers will rationalize your behavior by this criteria: If you know or reasonably believe an action is illegal or will cause harm then the best candidate will take responsibility, demonstrate self-control, and not do it.

Lastly, employers will ask our faculty for references. Students need to know that full time faculty and adjunct faculty members are constantly formally and informally assessing students in terms of academic performance, attendance, honesty, professionalism, social skills, maturity, and appearance so that we can make objective assessments when asked. Your interactions count, and we are here to mentor you.

Admissions Requirements