Criminal Justice
Seeking Justice, Serving Communities
Criminal Justice is both an idea and a process which seeks to define and apply our belief of what is morally and socially acceptable. This major prepares students for work in careers of service to local, state, and even national constituencies upon graduation.
In this program, students will gain knowledge about deviant behavior, forensics, the legal process, the dynamics of law enforcement, and other topics related to the American justice system. If someone is interested in becoming a correctional officer, a lawyer, or a rehabilitation specialist, this major will lay a solid foundation for such careers.
The program is available both on campus and online. The online version is a bachelor’s degree completion program for adults who possess at least 49 hours of college credit and work experience. The program is designed to provide the opportunity for qualified individuals to complete the requirements for the degree while maintaining full-time employment.
experience christ-centered justice
General Education Core Requirement for Bachelor of Arts
Information taken from the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog. Please refer to the most recent catalog for further information, found here.
Written and Oral Communication
- ENG 1010 – Composition I (3 credit hrs.)
- ENG 1020 – Compostion II (3 credit hrs.)
- COM 2010 – Oral Communication (3 credit hrs.)
Cultural and Historal Perspectives
Choose from two (2) of the four (4) disciplines:
- Fine Arts (FAS 2005, 2006, or 2043)
- Literature
- Biblical Literature, Theology, or BST 2000 – Beginning Bibilical Interpretation
- Any History (HIS) Course
Mathematics and Science
- Choose nine (9) credit hours, comprised of at least one (1) natural science course and at least one (1) mathematics course at MAT 1030 or above.
Social Sciences
Choose six (6) credits from:
- COM 2020 – Media Literacy (3 credit hrs.)
- ECO 2001 – Principles of Economics: Macro (3 credit hrs.)
- ECO 2012 – Contemporary Economics (3 credit hrs.)
- EDU/PSY 2010 – Life-Span Development (3 credit hrs.)
- GEO 2013 – World Geography (3 credit hrs.)
- POS 2010 – American Government and Politics (3 credit hrs.)
- PSY 2000 – Introduction to Psychology (3 credit hrs.)
- SOC 2000 – Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hrs.)
- SWK 2050 – Human Behavior and the Social Enviornment (3 credit hrs.)
- SWK 2053 – Social Problems (3 credit hrs.)
- UNV 2100 – Strategy and Critical Thinking (3 credit hrs.)
Biblical Studies
Required for freshman and transfer students with fewer than 60 credit hours:
- BST 1010 – Christian Life: Faith and Practice (3 credit hrs.)
- BST 2020 – Understanding the New Testament (3 credit hrs.)
- BST 3005 – Understanding the Old Testament (3 credit hrs.)
Required for trasnfer students with 60 or more credit hours:
- BST 2020 – Understanding the New Testament (3 credit hrs.)
Personal Development and Worldview
- BST 4095 – Senior Seminar to Theology and Vocation (3 credit hrs.)
- UNV 1100 – Introduction to the Christian Liberal Arts University (1 credit hr.)
Requirements for Criminal Justice Major
- CRJ 2000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 3000 – Corrections & Penology (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 3010 – Criminal & Delinquent Behavior (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 3020 – Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 3030 – Introduction to Forensics (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 3040 – Law Enforcement & Juvenile Crime (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 4000 – Criminal Investigations (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 4010 – Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 4045 – Special Topics in Criminal Justice (3 credit hrs.)
- CRJ 4085 – Experiential Semester (3 credit hrs.)
Twelve (12) additional credit hours in upper-division electives, such as:
- BUS 3022 – Management of Information: Security & Practices (3 credit hrs.)
- COM 3063 – Communication Elements & Theories (3 credit hrs.)
- COM 3110 – Nonverbal Communication (3 credit hrs.)
- COM 3034 – Public Relations (3 credit hrs.)
Our Faculty
Dr. Kimberly Bartasavage
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Dr. Bartasavage possesses an MS in Public Administration, an MS in Public Safety and a DCJ. Dr. Bartasavage retired from law enforcement as a state parole agent serving on the street crimes unit and jointly with the USMS fugitive apprehension team.
She is an avid sports fan, enjoys the beach, reading and running as well as watching her son play baseball. A favorite bible verse is Joshua 1:9.
Dr. Leonard Giammatteo
Professor of Behavior Sciences
Dr. Giammatteo is a successful sport psychology instructor and mental game coach. He has a Doctorate in Psychological Foundations from Nova SE University and has written the book “The Winning Edge – Mastering the Mental Game in Sports.”
He and his family enjoy cooking Italian food, playing golf, and vacationing on Anna Marie Island. Dr. G. believes in the following scripture verse: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Dr. Daniel Julich
Chair, Associate Professor of History / Associate Dean of Student Learning Assessment
Dr. Julich grew up on the east coast of Florida and spent seven years of teaching in Kansas. He has an M.A. in Theological Studies and a Ph.D. in History.
Father of five, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing board games, reading books about history, culture, and politics, and exploring new places. A meaningful verse for him is Galatians 6:9.
Dr. April Steen
Assistant Professor of Social Work
A native from Buffalo, NY, Dr. April Steen, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a professional focus in military families, work life balance and trauma/compassion fatigue. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of South Florida.
As an active member in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), she has served as past president (Florida Chapter). A meaningful verse for her is Proverbs 3:5.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9Learn about The Department
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About Warner University
Warner University is a distinctly Christian university that strives to make a Christian liberal arts education accesible to all. We are committed to guiding individuals toward Christ-like character and intellectual maturity while equipping them to serve. We are located in beautiful Lake Wales, Florida, which is nearly the exact center of the Florida peninsula. We are just a short drive away from rapidly growing cities such as Lakeland and Winter Haven. At Warner we offer a variety of in-person and online degree plans. Choose Warner and answer God’s call, receiving an education that helps you pursue your dreams and grow closer to Christ.