L&C and UMSL signed a new transfer agreement Monday, Feb. 20, that will help provide a seamless transfer between the two institutions for Criminal Justice students. Pictured from top left, L&C Criminal Justice Professor Tricia Martin; L&C Criminal Justice Program Coordinator Jessica Noble; UMSL Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Chair Dr. Finn Esbensen; UMSL Undergraduate Director of Criminology and Criminal Justice Dr. Tim Maher; Bottom row from left, L&C Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Linda Chapman; UMSL Chancellor Tom George; and L&C President Dr. Dale Chapman. Photos by L&C Media Specialist Louise Jett

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C) and the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) have announced a new transfer agreement for criminal justice students that will help provide a seamless transfer between the two institutions.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

 “This articulation agreement with UMSL will provide our students with a transfer option to a highly ranked university, where they will continue to receive a quality criminal justice education,” said L&C Criminal Justice Coordinator Jessica Noble. “They will also be provided with options to complete a master’s degree and a PhD in criminal justice/criminology. I am truly excited for this opportunity for our students.”

Criminal justice majors study police, courts, corrections and the law in society through their coursework, which includes case studies, current news and related discussions on topics like dispute resolution, drugs and crime, child abuse and neglect, gangs, policing, crime theory, private security and more.

Graduates of L&C’s Criminal Justice program, which offers an Associate in Applied Science (60 credit hours) and Certificate of Proficiency, go on to work in local law enforcement and as state correctional officers upon graduation. The program also has a 30 and Out option, which means that students who already hold another degree can complete the AAS in only a year (two semesters, 10 courses, 30 credit hours).

For those looking to continue their education in the criminal justice field, higher education opens even more opportunities. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees will be able to work in federal and state law enforcement, juvenile probation and adult probation and parole. More advanced degrees open the doors for promotion in the field. 

Article continues after sponsor message

“Access to quality education is a long-standing tradition at UMSL,” Chancellor Tom George said. “And, we are always searching for new ways to increase access, which is why I’m excited for UMSL’s collaboration with Lewis and Clark Community College’s Criminal Justice program. Together we can help usher in the next generation of criminal justice scholars and solutions.”

The UMSL Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. UMSL’s program is consistently ranked fourth in the nation for Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News and World Report. 

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Lewis and Clark and the opportunity it presents to recruit excellent students from their program into our Bachelor of Science degree program,” said Dr. Finn Esbensen, chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UMSL.

“As a comprehensive community college serving more than 200,000 people in the college’s five-county district, we welcome this academic alliance in criminal justice with UMSL as an opportunity for L&C students to serve in the criminal justice system throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area and across the nation,” said L&C President Dale Chapman. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for police and detectives was $60,270 in 2015, and employment is expected to grow 4 percent through 2024.

For more information about L&C’s program, visit www.lc.edu/program/criminaljustice or contact Noble at (618) 468-4524 or jbnelson@lc.edu. To learn more about UMSL’s program, visit www.umsl.edu/ccj.

More like this:

Apr 12, 2024 - Winners Announced at L&C’s Student Art Exhibition Opening

Mar 15, 2024 - L&C Career Services Presents Career Readiness Day for Enrolled Students

Mar 26, 2024 - L&C Student Finds Her Voice as Student Ambassador

Jan 13, 2024 - Grafton Alumnus Brings Always Late TV Movie Awards Back to L&C  

Mar 26, 2024 - L&C Career Services Hosting Annual Job Fair April 3, 2024.