Why study Criminal Justice at MC?
Are you looking for a stimulating career that provides the opportunity to serve others? A degree in Criminal Justice is one that prepares students to become professionals, researchers, and educators in a wide variety of contexts. Environmental protection officers, park rangers, and counselors of juveniles are fields open to graduates with Criminal Justice degrees. Additionally, federal agencies, such as the Secret Service, Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and Federal Probation and Parole, are seeking college graduates with criminal justice backgrounds. Other related fields include: public health (health inspector/regulation administrator), social work (case worker, child protective services agent, adult services provider), and city and state policy researchers.
MC Crime Talk, an on campus student organization, hosts guest speakers and plans field trips and other learning and discussion opportunities for all students who share an interest in crime, justice and the criminal justice system.
Meet a Current Scot
Jesus Olguin De Los Santos
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Jesus’s first introduction to MC was through playing at the Clayton Center for the Arts with his high school band. Struck by the beauty of the campus, Jesus later discovered that the College offered a Criminal Justice major. “I knew it was the right place for me,” he said.
Combining his love of music and his major, Jesus is a member of the Maryville College Tartan Band, as well as the MC Crime Talk Club.
“I enjoy learning the complexities of the criminal justice system and how it continues to adapt in a constantly shifting environment.” His future plans include a career in law enforcement, eventually working for a federal agency.
Meet a Recent Grad
Riley Cook ’23
Currently: Pursuing a JD and a Master’s in Criminal Justice at Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law
Riley initially came to MC to study Biology for a career as a plastic surgeon. Midway through her sophomore year, however, Riley realized she was unhappy with her studies and changed her major to Criminal Justice, where she thrived. After she earns her master’s and JD, Riley would like to join the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps).
“The writing classes and my senior thesis prepared me for law school more than any other class,” Riley said. “There is a lot of writing involved in law school, and Maryville College more than prepared me for it.”
