Criminology and Justice Studies

The Criminology and Justice Studies major at Avila

With a well-rounded curriculum and leadership development emphasis, Avila’s criminology and justice studies program will prepare you for a successful career in areas ranging from law enforcement to victim services. Course requirements in social inequality and foundations of social change will expose you to an array of perspectives on the criminal justice system.

Avila’s small courses and individualized attention mean that you’ll have direct contact with strong faculty who are actively engaged in scholarship. Even if law enforcement isn’t your preferred career, our foundational courses in research methods and statistical analysis mean that our graduates are well-prepared to pursue further studies.

Two female students
MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Graduate with the knowledge that the work you’ll be doing in the field will help improve communities and society.
President Ronald Slepitza smiles on the commencement stage
Are you interested in criminology and justice studies?

Avila Criminology and Justice Studies graduates are prepared to pursue careers in:

  • Law Enforcement — Federal, State or Local
  • Corrections — Prisons and jails, probation and parole
  • Juveniles — Corrections, probation, and parole, working with child victims of abuse/neglect
  • Victim Services — Domestic violence, shelters, rape crisis centers
Avila Criminology and Justice Studies graduates choose to work at:
  • Jackson County Children’s Division
  • Kansas City, Missouri Police Department
  • MOCSA – Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault
  • Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Three students taking notes in class

Be Prepared for Your Career

Incoming first-year students are guaranteed access to an internship or research experience before graduation. Avila students have completed hands-on learning experiences involving: 

  • Police
    • Missouri State Highway Patrol
    • Prairie Village Police Department
    • Leawood Police Department
  • Security
    • Securitas
    • Titan Security
    • Village of Loch Loyd
  • Shelters
    • Benilde Hall
    • Adult Residential Center
    • Journey to New Life
  • Victim Assistance
    • Corey’s Network
    • MOCSA
    • Jackson City No Violence Alliance
  • Courts
    • Drug Court
    • Jackson County Children’s Division
    • Jackson County Intensive Supervision
  • Mental Health
    • KCPD
    • DeafLead
  • Corrections
    • Missouri Department of Corrections

Transferring to Avila?

We work with you to make the most of your transfer credits so you’re on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.


An Environment to Enhance your Education

Hooley-Bundschu Learning Commons

This is not your mother’s library. State-of-the-art study rooms, public computers, tutoring, and access to 50,000+ books and millions of articles await you.

Classroom in the Learning Commons

Guaranteed Research Opportunity

All first-year undergraduate students in all majors are guaranteed an internship or research experience.

Female student wearing goggles in a lab

Close to Everything Kansas City

At Avila you’re only 15 minutes from world-class museums, historical landmarks, and centers of culture, commerce, and industry.

Kansas City skyline with Union Station in the foreground

Find Your Mentor

Avila’s faculty will challenge you, inspire you, and become more than just another teacher.

Graphic design professor working over the shoulder of her students

Criminology and Social Justice major Maggie Plas

“Avila’s Criminology & Justice Studies program was a great major. By writing papers, watching relevant media coverage, taking tests, and having structured class discussion, this program gave me a better understanding of our criminal justice system today.”

Maggie Plas / ’19

Contact

Avila University Department of Criminology & Justice Studies, O’Rielly Hall
11901 Wornall Road / Kansas City, MO 64145 / 816-501-3793

Dr. K Ryan Proctor, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology
P: 816-501-3739 / E: kristopher.proctor


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