Bachelor in Political Science - Concentration in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice studies at ACU trains the next generation of law enforcement leaders to live out their calling to law enforcement, grounded in the biblical worldview and ethics, equipped with skills and knowledge for professional success, and ready to enter one of the fastest growing career fields in the country. Classes are taught by experienced active-duty law enforcement personnel, who guide students through rigorous coursework that combines criminal justice theory and scholarship, with practical, hands-on training. Our criminal justice faculty are not only teachers, they are mentors who help students combine their passion for law enforcement with excellent training and the benefit of their experience. Our unique criminal justice coursework grounds students in the biblical worldview, while training them in biblical ethics and challenging them to live out their faith with compassion and God’s truth in the criminal justice profession.

Housed within ACU’s bachelor’s degree in Political Science, the program requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of criminal justice course work, as well as broad training in areas of law, public policy, research and analytical writing, American government, and Constitutional law. This combination of criminal justice and traditional political science coursework prepares students for a career that keeps pace with this dynamic field, whether in law enforcement and community policing, careers in law and legal work or work in public policymaking or serving in government.

Students who complete a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of sciences in Political Science-Criminal Justice are prepared for significant Christian influence in government, law enforcement, law, and politics. Students explore the intersection of faith and politics while being grounded in the ideas, values, and institutions of the American system of government and politics more generally. Learn to integrate the biblical worldview into a deep understanding of government as you thoughtfully consider and address the political opportunities and challenges facing today’s culture. By integrating faith and scholarship, political science graduates translate their passion for political transformation into significant Christian leadership and influence in their communities, the nation, and the world.

ACU is an accredited, private, non-profit, Christian university in Glendale, Arizona offering a wide variety of degrees preparing students for successful careers, while remaining committed to its vision of transforming culture with biblical truth. Students actively engage in biblically-integrated academics and gain a liberal arts foundation with critical thinking skills that last a lifetime. Spiritual development is also integrated within the University experience, where all four-year campus students receive a minor in Biblical Studies, attend chapel twice a week, and complete spiritual formation and service hours each semester.

Our Mission

Arizona Christian University provides a biblically-integrated, liberal arts education equipping graduates to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects of life, as leaders of influence and excellence.

Vision

Arizona Christian University exists to educate and equip followers of Christ to transform culture with the truth.

University Wide Learning Goals

• Faith – Be grounded in a biblical worldview and grow in your understanding of how to apply that worldview to every area of life.
• Influence – Develop critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving skills that position them to be leaders of influence in their communities and chosen professions, both locally and globally.
• Relationship – Deepen their personal relationships with God and be prepared for healthy relationships within the family, the church, and society as a result.
• Excellence – Cultivate excellence in their personal development, academic/professional pursuits, and cocurricular activities, living with integrity in a way that honors the Lord Jesus Christ in all things.

Undergraduate Learning Goals

Furthermore, Arizona Christian University has articulated undergraduate learning goals that correspond to the University’s core values. Students graduating with associate or bachelors’ degrees will be able to:

• F1. Explain basic elements of the Christian faith.
• F2. Apply a biblical worldview to their lives.
• F3. Express a personal, God-given calling for their lives.
• I1. Communicate effectively in various contexts.
• I2. Develop a strategy to transform culture with truth.
• I3. Describe and critique local culture.
• R1. Form and maintain significant personal relationships.
• E1. Articulate a holistic and integrated view of human culture.
• E2. Demonstrate information literacy and critical thinking skills.
• E3. Extend the truths of one’s own disciplines via original research or practice.

A Place for You – Arizona

ACU offers a Christ-focused community centered in the beautiful and vibrant city of Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of metropolitan Phoenix. With an average annual high of 80 degrees during the school year, you’ll always find students outside on our beautiful, tree-lined, and grassy 68-acre campus — playing frisbee, participating in athletics, doing homework, or expressing their musical talent. Our students – who come from 36 states and 23 foreign countries – love the weather here in Arizona!