Juvenile Justice Minor

What you will study

The University of Central Missouri’s Juvenile Justice minor prepares you to enter a field that is shifting its focus from punishment to trauma-informed care and rehabilitation. Through your coursework and experiential learning opportunities, you’ll study addiction, resilience, law and policy, health care, international policies and human services to inform your professional approach in this evolving field.

As part of UCM’s commitment to provide you with an education that spans the entire system of criminal justice, you’ll take juvenile justice courses that give you a well-rounded understanding of the field and the issues present within it. Your undergraduate classes may include:

• Family Systems and Lifespan Development
• Youth Culture and Development
• Introduction to Juvenile Justice
• Juvenile Corrections
• Dynamics of Delinquent Behavior

 

 

Unique learning opportunities in juvenile justice

See classroom concepts brought to life at the University of Central Missouri. The Juvenile Justice minor program includes learning opportunities that show you how textbook lessons apply to real life through engaging experiential activities.

• Field trips: Some of your courses will take you into the community to visit places such as juvenile courts, correctional facilities and other organizations that serve youth. This allows you to get a sense of the sights, sounds and operations of a juvenile justice agency.
• Internships: Add an internship to your learning plan. Work in school districts, the Missouri Division of Youth Services and more to get a sense of what it’s like to focus your career in the juvenile justice field.
• Study tours: Learn how the correctional system and law enforcement operate around the world in faculty-led study tours to countries such as South Korea, Italy, France, Japan, Turkey, Alabania, Croatia and more. 
• Juvenile Justice Association: This student group gives you the opportunity to volunteer within the juvenile justice system and start making a difference even while still in college. Visit local and regional juvenile justice agencies and courts to discover how they work. You’ll also talk about what you learned in group discussions and develop professional resources and networks to help your career growth after graduation.

 

What can you do with a minor in Juvenile Justice from UCM?

UCM alumni who have completed a minor in Juvenile Justice have found successful employment at organizations such as:

• Compass Health Network
• Juvenile courts
• Juvenile probation offices
• Missouri Department of Mental Health
• Missouri Division of Social Services - Children’s Division
• Missouri Division of Youth Services
• Youth social service agencies

If you choose to continue your education before entering the workforce, the Juvenile Justice minor paired with a related major will prepare you to enter a graduate program that focuses on providing youth services.

Juvenile justice jobs

Explore job possibilities in juvenile justice using the interactive tool below. You can also learn about projected job growth in the field, salary details and career paths.

 

 

Financial assistance options for your  Juvenile Justice minor

The University of Central Missouri sets you up for success right from the start. We offer affordable, competitive tuition and a wide range of options to help you finance your college education. That means you’ll graduate with a high-value degree and fewer student loans than students at other institutions.

Work with our financial aid counselors to explore educational funding for your undergraduate degree. You may be eligible for scholarships, grants, tuition awards, federal financial aid and more.

Additionally, UCM’s Alumni Association offers scholarships specifically to students in certain undergraduate programs and majors. You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.

 

See a calendar of course offerings.