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Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies


Now more than ever we need ethical leaders who understand the criminal justice system. Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies at Winston-Salem State University to gain the knowledge and real-world skills you need to bring about positive change through justice studies jobs.

As a justice studies major, you’ll explore how justice and injustice impact the world around you. You’ll sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to tackle today’s complex challenges while developing the strong writing and research skills that are crucial in justice studies jobs.

WSSU’s program will challenge you in the community as well as in the classroom: You’ll work with local organizations to tackle social injustice, and you can take on an internship to gain firsthand experience in a criminal justice setting. Graduate prepared to hit the ground running in your chosen career.

Justice Studies degree options at Winston-Salem State University

Justice is a diverse field that offers a wide range of career pathways. At WSSU, you can tailor your justice studies degree to meet your specific interests and professional goals. We offer four concentration options:

Learn more about the Department of History, Politics and Social Justice at WSSU. You can also complement your non-justice major with a minor in justice studies.


Earn Your Justice Studies Degree at Winston-Salem State University

The justice studies degree at WSSU is interdisciplinary and hands-on, providing you with broad knowledge and practical experience that will set you apart in the job market. You’ll look at the criminal justice system and social justice issues with a global focus while applying your knowledge to real-world problems and changing situations.

Participate in a justice studies internship

Explore justice studies jobs options and get experience before you graduate. Our Internship in Justice Studies enables you to take your studies into the field, where you’ll gain hands-on experience in justice studies jobs such as probation, parole, policing, juvenile and adult court systems, corrections and treatment programs.

Help people and serve your community

Service learning is a key part of WSSU’s justice studies degree. Our innovative Spatial Justice Studio offers opportunities to find solutions to issues here in Winston-Salem. In our Social Justice course, you’ll collaborate with a community organization to tackle social injustice. The justice studies students who contributed to our Ronnie Long Project played a central role in helping to exonerate a wrongfully convicted North Carolina man.

Engage in diverse criminal justice research

As part of “States of Incarceration,” a nationwide public humanities project, our students compile original research and conduct interviews to better tell the city’s story — their findings ultimately become part of a traveling exhibit. Working with faculty mentors, WSSU students conduct groundbreaking research that connects with social justice. Learn more about undergraduate research at WSSU.


What You Can Do With Your Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies

Contribute to a greater understanding of justice and issues related to crime, corrections and justice administration. WSSU’s justice studies degree will prepare you for a broad range of professional opportunities in the justice system or justice-related agencies. Our graduates pursue careers as:

Our bachelor’s of justice studies is also a great jumping-off point for a graduate or professional degree in law, public policy and other related fields.

Career outlook for Justice Studies majors

Your WSSU degree opens the door to justice studies jobs that are both rewarding and in-demand. Employment of community service managers, for example, is projected to grow 15% over the next decade, according to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — that’s more than twice the average growth rate for all occupations.

Political science jobs are also growing faster than average at 6%, about the same as journalists and reporters, while the employment of lawyers is expected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030.


Explore Classes for the Bachelor’s in Justice Studies Degree

Our justice studies program helps you gain a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice field. The classes you can take include:

View the full justice studies program requirements and course catalog.


Your Experience as a Justice Studies Major at Winston-Salem State

Student Life at WSSU

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Support and Resources Available to You

Build vibrant connections and strong leadership skills to take on complex issues and make a positive difference. Ranked among the top 25 best HBCUs in the United States, WSSU prepares you for a lifetime of success.

A justice studies degree is an investment in yourself and in your future. At WSSU we’re committed to helping you make your education as affordable as possible by connecting you with all the best options for scholarships, grants, loans and more. In fact, 90% of WSSU students receive some form of financial aid to help pay for college.

Learn more about all your options in paying for college at WSSU.

At WSSU, you’ll have the support of expert advisors and mentors every step of your journey. Beyond helping you achieve your best in the classroom, our Career Development Services will help you succeed in the justice studies jobs market and build a successful career. As a justice studies major, you’ll also enjoy the support of faculty who are caring, accessible and interested in your success.

Learn more about the Department of History, Politics and Social Justice at WSSU.

Take the Next Step

Discover a world of possibility when you open the door to opportunity by majoring in justice studies at WSSU. #BeTheNext

The academic experience here at Winston-Salem State University has been great. You aren’t just a number in the classroom.

Will J., Justice Studies

Bachelor’s Degree Programs Related to Justice Studies


Accreditation for Justice Studies at WSSU