This interdisciplinary degree equips students with the skills necessary to create positive change in the health, social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of rural communities. The program focuses on the importance of applying critical thinking skills, cultural understanding, and social responsibility to create change while providing numerous hands-on learning opportunities and internships. Graduates go on to work in a variety of fields including counseling and therapy, social work, community planning, public service, and family and child development.
Rural Community Development, B.S.
The Major in Rural Community Development is an interdisciplinary degree with a focus on equipping students with the skills and abilities necessary to create positive social, economic, political, and cultural impacts in rural communities. Students will develop skills and knowledge in cultural understanding and social responsibility backed with an emphasis on critical thinking skills to best develop effective strategies for building up rural communities. These learned principals are further emphasized through hands-on learning in the community and internships. Graduates of the Rural Community Development degree go on to enjoy success in a variety of career paths including community planning, non-profit work, and governmental agencies, and are well prepared for a variety of graduate study options from psychology and sociology to human services.
Community Health
The Community Health track of the Rural Community Development major prepares individuals for roles as health and wellness professionals in private business, industry, community organizations, and health care settings. This track prepares graduates to serve a critical need in the newly emerging health-related fields demanded by the evolving healthcare system in rural areas. The program is designed for students who are interested in working in the healthcare industry, but not in delivering direct patient care as clinical practitioners.
Social and Community Development
This interdisciplinary track focuses on equipping students with the skills and abilities to create positive change in the social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of rural communities. The program emphasizes critical thinking skills, cultural understanding, and social responsibility and provides opportunities for hands-on learning and internships. Students are prepared to pursue a variety of career paths in community planning, non-profits, public administration, governmental agencies, chambers of commerce, and agencies serving individuals and families or for graduate study in psychology, sociology, and human services among others.
Criminal Justice, B.S.
The Criminal Justice program requires 120-124 semester credit hours plus PHED 1100 and one PE activity course for a total of 123-127 semester credit hours.
General Track
The criminal justice degree will prepare students to enter a field with many career options. Students will take courses in a wide variety of criminal justice-related topics that provide a solid foundation to jumpstart their career. Graduates have the opportunity to begin their career in law enforcement (local, state, or federal) or in corrections (security, treatment, etc.). A criminal justice degree is also a solid foundation for those desiring to attend law school to become an attorney. For those already employed in the criminal justice field, a bachelor’s degree will assist in career advancement and open promotion opportunities.
Upon completion, students will demonstrate mastery of the essential content of the criminology curriculum, demonstrate the ability to critically analyze major concepts and theoretical perspectives in criminal justice, demonstrate an understanding of essential elements of academic and professional writing, demonstrate an understanding of academic and professional research and scholarship and demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical values in the criminal justice field.
Law Enforcement
The criminal justice degree with a track in law enforcement is tailored to those students who already know they want a career in law enforcement. This degree program provides students with the knowledge of fair and ethical police practices, investigative skills in a variety of specialties, crime control and prevention techniques, and leadership skills. Students already employed in law enforcement will find this degree program will supplement and enhance their current knowledge, skills, and abilities. The B.S. in Criminal Justice will also assist current officers in obtaining promotions and leadership opportunities that can influence current and future generations of law enforcement officers.
Upon completion, students will demonstrate mastery of the essential content of the criminology curriculum, demonstrate the ability to critically analyze major concepts and theoretical perspectives in criminal justice, demonstrate an understanding of essential elements of academic and professional writing, demonstrate an understanding of academic and professional research and scholarship and demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical values in the criminal justice field.
Social Justice
The social justice degree track in the criminal justice degree program will provide appropriate frameworks and tools to assist students in analyzing complex issues and promoting social change. A track in social justice will prepare students to be the leaders of a paradigm shift and promote social equity change in law enforcement, the judicial system, the healthcare industry, and economics.
Upon completion, students will demonstrate mastery of the essential content of the criminology curriculum, demonstrate the ability to critically analyze major concepts and theoretical perspectives in criminal justice, demonstrate an understanding of essential elements of academic and professional writing, demonstrate an understanding of academic and professional research and scholarship and demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical values in the criminal justice field.
