For over 40 years, Pensacola Christian College has prepared students to protect and serve through its criminal justice program. As they study, students engage in hands-on coursework, participate in practicums, and learn from experienced professors. Above all, graduates enter the workforce with the benefit of a Christian foundation. Local attorney and PCC professor Dr. Carolyn Gramlich emphasized that the program is not just preparing students for a career but also for a biblical calling. She said, “God has ordained civil authority and vested it with His power, granting man authority to promote justice.” She added that faculty are committed to guiding students to “become passionate about what God is calling them to do as professionals serving Him in the field of criminal justice.”
After completing the program, alumni are prepared to defend God’s justice as they protect and serve. When Ben Walker (Criminal Justice ’19) accepted his diploma for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, he went on to become a sheriff’s deputy in Jasper, Georgia. Deputy Walker has found fulfillment in protecting the innocent. He shared, “God is a just God. I see law enforcement as an ordained position, charged with executing God’s will on the earth.“
Deputy Walker has had many opportunities to live out the calling God placed on his life. One instance stands out to him in particular. He responded to a child who was accidentally shot by his sibling. “When I arrived on the scene, it was chaos,“ Deputy Walker shared. “I was able to [stabilize] and comfort the child until EMS arrived and transported him to the hospital.“
A week later, an investigator on the case told Deputy Walker that the boy would live. “Thankfully, and by the grace of God, the seven-year-old survived. He wanted to see me to thank me for saving his life,“ said Deputy Walker.
Preparing for Varied Careers
Whether students are interested in law enforcement, the courtroom, or probation, earning an associate or bachelor of science in criminal justice is the place to start. Dr. Gramlich shared, “I recommend students consider pursuing a degree in criminal justice at PCC because our graduates have a variety of professional options upon graduation.”
“I recommend students consider pursuing a degree in criminal justice at PCC because our graduates have a variety of professional options upon graduation.”
Looking back on her criminal justice coursework, Audrey Wilson (Sr., FL) has been equipped for diverse criminal justice jobs. While she is interested in pursuing a role as a 911 operator, the program prepared her for much more. She shared, “Criminal justice is such a wide program. We do social work, law enforcement, forensics classes—so we get a little taste of everything. It’s so hands on.”
Criminal justice graduates are also better equipped to advance in their career because they’ve earned a degree. Freshman Jackson Thomas (GA) has wanted to be a police officer from a young age, and he began work as a detention officer when he graduated high school. After a year, he decided to attend PCC instead of proceeding directly to a police academy. He wanted to earn a bachelor’s in criminal justice because of “the experience and the knowledge that it gives, the connections that you make through it, [and] the benefits that a lot of agencies consider when you have the degree,” Jackson said.
Equipped Instructors and Tactical Training
Criminal justice students at PCC benefit from experienced faculty who are committed to equipping the next generation of criminal justice leaders. Before coming to teach at the College, Dr. Barry Walker was a police officer for almost 30 years. “All faculty are retired law enforcement officers or attorneys,” Dr. Walker said of criminal justice instructors. “We all seek to invest in our students and their success.”
“We all seek to invest in our students and their success.”
Beyond sitting under experienced professors, PCC students enjoy hands-on learning opportunities. Summer Nolte (So., KS) is building her skills through practical assignments. She said of her Basic Criminal Investigation course, “I like this class because it has different projects like crime scene investigation. I think that’s really interesting, and it gets you thinking about what happens in the real world.”
Another hands-on opportunity students enjoy is the MILO simulator, a scenario-based police tactical training system. It teaches students how to handle a confrontation and de-escalate a situation. Dr. Gramlich explained that the MILO simulator teaches users to make good decisions. “MILO requires the trainee to choose the appropriate tactic, whether or not that requires the use of a weapon,” Dr. Gramlich said. “While marksmanship will always be of the utmost importance, police officers’ decision-making ability is often even more crucial to maintaining public safety.”
To gain even more experience, students are required to take two 40-hour practicums or one 80-hour practicum at a criminal justice agency of their choice. Senior Meghan Morales (FL) appreciated how her experience connected her with Christian professionals. “I worked at a police department last summer—you would not believe how many Christians were at that station,” Meghan shared. “We had wonderful talks about God. We can bring His hope to people who have no hope.”
Shining a Light for Christ
Criminal justice graduates look forward to rewarding careers where they can demonstrate the love of Christ to those who need it most. While working as a SWAT leader at Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, alumnus Sgt. Peter Gallion (Criminal Justice ’15) has found opportunities to be a witness. “A career in law enforcement is one of the most rewarding careers there is. You constantly have opportunities to help people and stand up for people who can’t do so on their own,” Sgt. Gallion explained. “PCC laid the groundwork for this career, and the Christian values that were instilled in me during my time at PCC have shaped who I am as a deputy sheriff. I am able to be a shining light in this dark world, and I have an opportunity to interact with people when they need help the most.”
“The Christian values that were instilled in me during my time at PCC have shaped who I am as a deputy sheriff.”
Alumna Molly Walker (Criminal Justice ’19) has also found her Christian foundation invaluable as she works as an investigator in Jasper, Georgia, alongside her husband Ben Walker. For those considering a career in criminal justice, she emphasizes that maintaining a strong walk with Christ is crucial. She shared, “It is important to put on the armor of God daily. I love this job because, although I am constantly dealing with what seems like the worst of humanity, there are countless opportunities to share the love of Christ with others.”
Like alumni, current students are embracing their calling to shine a light in a dark world. They’ve received the preparation they need to answer their calling: practical coursework, field experience, and guidance from experienced faculty—all founded on the biblical worldview. After accepting their diplomas, they will go into the workforce, prepared to protect and serve. After building experience through a practicum with a game warden, senior Carter Miller (GA) looks forward to pursuing this career. He plans to work by the coast where he will be responsible for handling boating accidents. He anticipates helping people navigate the loss of loved ones, and he wants to be a witness for Christ through compassion. Carter said, “As a Christian, I believe it gives me a better perspective. Because of my relationship with Christ, I’ll be able to help those people more.”