The material on career planning is presented through reading and discussion along with visits to the class from Criminal Justice professionals. Speakers in the past have included FBI agents, DEA agents, conservation law enforcement officers, Illinois and Missouri state police, municipal police officers and prison officials. Throughout the remaining five semesters of the program the study of substantive Criminal Justice continues as does the emphasis on career planning. For example, as the students spend a whole semester studying juvenile delinquency the course will include visits to facilities that house delinquents and outside speakers who work with juveniles. Each student's academic adviser will begin planning internships with the student early in the program.
Internships are an excellent means of narrowing career goals and making contacts.
A student graduating from MacMurray in Criminal Justice will have the knowledge he or she needs to succeed in Criminal Justice, plus the information he or she needs to find a position. Program of Study Criminal Justice majors need a total of 36 credits to complete the requirements of the major. Fifteen of those credits are required courses taken by all the majors. Each course is a 3 credit course. Each student is required to take at least 1 internship for 3 credits.