A bachelor of arts degree in justice merges Mount Mary's focus on the liberal arts with a professionally-oriented academic program that is designed to prepare women for work in any of the three branches of the justice field: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The major provides a multidisciplinary study of the structure, administration and dynamics of the justice system.

Courses in the curriculum draw from the disciplines of history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The required courses provide a basic understanding of the nature of crime and societies’ reactions to crime as well as an explanation of the various components within the criminal justice system.

See degree requirements and curriculum.

See a suggested four year curriculum sequence.

Students are encouraged through critical thinking, discussion and hands-on experience to analyze the competing ideologies relating to crime and correction. The program’s research component introduces the student to research methods and theoretical models needed for analysis and a critique of the criminal justice system and other auxiliary programs. Built into every course and through specific courses students develop specialized preparation to meet the special needs of juveniles and women.

While the program provides women with a superb preparation for employment in the rapidly growing field of justice, it integrates the values of women’s leadership into all aspects of the program. In addition the program provides to a solid foundation for law school or future graduate study.