The criminal justice program began in 1985 as a mandatory major-minor program of 54 hours drawn from courses in political science and sociology. The program was revised in 2000 and several criminal justice courses were added, affording students more choices of courses and the opportunity of a minor. Students may currently major in criminal justice and minor in some other academic discipline, or major and minor in criminal justice.

Our program is strong, yet was made stronger with the 2000 revision. Our graduates are highly competitive with graduates of other universities within the state. SWOSU graduates have been placed in numerous criminal justice organizations and agencies, including law enforcement, correctional institutions, probation and parole, juvenile treatment programs, etc., at all levels of government and in private industry.