Major in Criminal Justice
Develop a holistic understanding of criminal justice • Learn methods of social science research • Graduate industry or law school ready
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
What are you looking for?
Develop a holistic understanding of criminal justice • Learn methods of social science research • Graduate industry or law school ready
To work in criminal justice, you must have specialized knowledge in law, political science, psychology, history, etc. In JBU’s criminal justice program, you’ll learn from these disciplines and apply this knowledge to make an impact in a growing and important field.
Start your applicationAt JBU, you'll receive a broad education in law, criminal procedure, government and human behavior. You will get specialized and professional training in these different fields from professors who have been there and know the real-world applications.
You'll be prepared for a career in law enforcement or the legal profession and challenged to apply the lessons in the classroom to the real world.
Employers look for graduates who not only have technical knowledge but have learned to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and discover innovative solutions to problems. At JBU, you'll learn these skills throughout your studies.
At JBU, criminal justice students engage with their studies by thinking both critically and compassionately about crime, law, and justice. What students learn prepares them to aid their communities by providing justice from a perspective of Christian grace and servanthood.
You'll gain familiarity with data and social science research methods to analyze and make sense of real issues in criminal justice.
You will take multiple forensic labs to apply what you've learned in class to mock crime scenes, including work with blood spatter and identifying fingerprints.
A Christian perspective of grace and justice will allow you to apply legal and ethical reasoning skills to real-world criminal justice issues - to make a difference where you live and work.
Professor Rivera came to JBU after a successful career as a practicing attorney; and has over thirty-years experience in the practice of law in both government and the private sector. After several years spent in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana, Prof. Rivera entered public service for two years as a Deputy Attorney General in the State of Indiana where he specialized in litigation, constitutional, and injunctive law and was a member of the Attorney General’s death penalty team. Prof. Rivera was appointed by Governor Evan Bayh to the Indiana Parole Board where he served for two years in a quasi-judicial capacity as Vice Chairman of the Parole Board and advised two governors on death penalty and criminal justice issues – writing then Governor Frank O’Bannon’s state criminal justice policy.
Following a period as the in-house litigator for a Fortune 500 engine manufacturing company, Prof. Rivera was appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels, Jr., as Commissioner of Labor for the State of Indiana, a cabinet level position. As Commissioner of Labor, Prof Rivera led a state-wide regulatory agency responsible for enforcing labor laws, child labor laws, the common wage, workplace safety, OSHA, and underground coal mine safety. In addition to advising the governor, he worked closely with the state legislature and the public/private sectors on issues effecting labor policy and underground coal mine safety in Indiana. Prof. Rivera is the recipient of a Sagamore of the Wabash, the State of Indiana’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his service to the people of Indiana and to public safety.
After this period of public service, Prof. Rivera practiced law as in-house counsel for one of the world’s largest retailers and as general counsel for an international shoe retailer. While practicing law, Prof. Rivera wrote extensively regarding diversity/inclusion and issues of interest to the American bar. He was a regular speaker at diversity/inclusion and bar association events around the country. He continues to support diversity/inclusion both at JBU and in the Siloam Springs community through ecumenical efforts to bring together the majority and minority communities in activities such as 2022’s Siloam Spring’s Hispanic Heritage Festival.
Prof. Rivera is author of a Sherlock Holmes novel entitled, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Green Dragon,” published by MX Publishing in London, England in February 2023. Prof. Rivera is a lifelong Sherlock Holmes enthusiast and is currently working on several Sherlock Holmes related projects he hopes to get published soon.
Prof. Rivera’s interest and areas of teaching include Criminal Justice, Criminal Procedure, Criminology, Constitutional Law, Business Law & Ethics, American government and politics, Gateway classes, and Congress and the presidency. Prof. Rivera is one of the founding members and Board President of Friends of Proclamation Institute Zambia (PIZ), a non-profit corporation that fund raises and supports the mission efforts of PIZ, a Christian preaching school in Zambia, Africa. He is a proud father of four children and with his wife, Barbara, and their loving pets, lives in Siloam Springs. Prof. Rivera and his wife are active members of Grace Episcopal Church in Siloam Springs.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.