Criminal Justice and Homeland Security

Learn what it takes to protect and serve

The world of criminal justice grows every day, both at home and abroad. If you are driven to protect your community and fellow citizens, a degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security from Indiana University Kokomo will prepare you for a career in this diverse and fast-moving industry.

Your experience at IU Kokomo will take you far beyond your textbooks. Students engage with professors on hot-button topics from policy analysis to public affairs while putting their skills to the test with real-world experience from local businesses and organizations – including the IU Kokomo Police Department.

Take part in the KEY Experience

At IU Kokomo, we believe in giving you the opportunity to take your learning outside of the classroom and into the real world. The KEY (Kokomo Experience and You) program offers Cougars the unique chance to gain first-hand, real-world experience and knowledge in the careers and fields they dream of entering.

As a Criminal Justice and Homeland Security student, you will be able to visit places like Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Walt Disney World, to learn from industry leaders how the classes you’re taking and the skills you’re learning translate to a wide field of professions!

The Red Chair

Issa Oliver, B.S. 2019, Criminal Justice and Homeland Security took a seat in the Red Chair to talk about why he chose to enter the cadet program at IU Kokomo. Oliver currently serves as an officer with the Kokomo Police Department.

The Red Chair is randomly placed around the IU Kokomo campus. Anyone walking by is free to sit down, get comfy, and share their experience about IU Kokomo.

Watch The Red Chair Video with Audio Description

Description of the video:

Upbeat music plays while we are shown cuts between different students speaking, aerial shots of campus, and close-ups of the red chair.   

Issa Oliver, criminal justice major and police cadet for IU Kokomo, sits in the Red Chair.  

“The end goal actually is to be detective, so, to become detective, officer is kind of the way to go, so I’d like to see what it’s like,” Issa says. “First year, you’re going to be doing a lot of the, kind of the bottom of the barrel work like parking tickets, directing traffic, it’s not a lot. But I’m definitely going to keep working on the end goal, which next year, I’ll have a badge, and I’ll be sworn in to the state of Indiana. Me and Doug, actually, ride around sometimes and he tells me, and I’ll ask him, you know, ‘what was one time that was super hard for you?’ or ‘what was something super easy for you’ or ‘something memorable’ and there’s times he just tells me you just have to know what you’re getting into, like you start to realize how human you are, and like, everyone wants to look at the uniform, they wonder what’s going on, especially if you’re walking fast or running, then people start to get freaked out, but that’s typical, I mean I would get freaked out too.” 

Issa continues “say I’m in Walmart and I see a police officer sprinting, I’m going to be like “oh my gosh, what’s happening.”  

“And then when I’m out of uniform, no one bats an eye, I’m just another student.” 

“I knew I wanted a smaller campus, I didn’t want something too big, too stressful for my situation, even though I’m going into an occupation that’s full of stress,” Issa says laughingly. “As it stands, I think I wanted to have more of a relaxed, hands on thing with the professors type of schooling, so it’s kind of a thing that you can talk to your professors without fearing that they’ll not be able to help you or not communicate with you, like on a bigger campus, and on this campus, you can talk to them on a more personal level, and I love that, and I’m glad I started where I did.”  

IU Kokomo brand  

Indiana University Kokomo, honoring the bicentennial 

iuk.edu

Prepare for your future

Whether you’ve dreamed of being a police officer since you were young, or recently found the motivation to join this field, there are many careers and opportunities for those with a degree in criminal justice and homeland security.

The Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security will prepare you for life after graduation in careers including: 

  • Security officer
  • Forensic science technician
  • State trooper
  • Crime scene investigator
  • Fish and game warden
  • Federal agent/analyst
  • Postal inspector
  • Court clerk
  • Paralegal

Ready to learn more?

If the thought of a career in criminal justice and homeland security appeals to you, contact the Office of Admissions to learn how you can get started at IU Kokomo! You can also explore the classes you’ll take in our Degree Map!