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Jean M. Stenzel

Jean M. Stenzel '86
Criminal Justice Major

Jean M. Stenzel is one of the co-founders of Forever Families, Inc. She has been working in the social work field since 1986 after completing her BS in Corrections, with a minor in Counseling, degree from Lake Superior State University. Jean went on to earn her Master in Social Work degree in 1996 from Wayne State University.

Jean has testified in front of the State of Michigan Legislature in regards to adoption issues and resolutions. She continues to demonstrate adoption leadership as an active member of the Executive Committee and Board Member of the Michigan Federation of Child and Family Agencies, which introduces and advocates state and legal policies governing children’s issues including adoption. Jean has also served on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers promoting fair and ethical practice in the social work field.

"I love what I do and I don't think of running an Adoption Agency as a job,
but rather as my vocation/calling in life. I cannot imagine doing anything
else."

Criminal Justice

Our program has been in place for over thirty years and we have an outstanding reputation for producing well educated and well trained criminal justice practitioners. You will be taught by former and active police officers, corrections officers and lawyers. The program combines academic and hands-on training. Courses in criminal investigation, firearms training and agency internships will help you acquire the necessary skills to excel in your future careers.

Ready to start their careers...

Degrees

Lake State offers one of the few law enforcement track programs in the state of Michigan. This program allows are Law Enforcement majors to obtain their police academy training while completing their Bachelors degree. Students graduating from this program will leave the university MCOLES certifiable and therefore ready to start their careers as police officers without attending another academy.

Our criminalistics program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing investigative work. This degree allows students to obtain a chemistry minor as part of their degree and graduates have been employed directly into crime labs or have continued on to graduate school.

The corrections program will allow students to pursue careers in prisons and also in community based corrections. Many of our graduates are now probation officers, parole officers, as well as jail and prison officers.

The public safety degree is unique in that it allows students to obtain several certifications. Graduates of this degree will have law enforcement, fire science and emergency medical training.

Another option for students in criminal justice is the loss control program. This program is intended for students interested in entering the private sector where they will manage security at large corporations and other agencies.

BS Criminal Justice
- Corrections
- Loss Control
- Criminalistics
- Law Enforcement
- Generalist
- Public Safety
Associate Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections

Average Starting Salary of LSSU Graduates*

$33,861
$31,380

Online Degree Available

Earn your degree online! The Pre-service Corrections certificate can be earned with all online classes. In addition the generalist degree can be delivered via distance format to student who have associate degrees in criminal justice and are located near a community college (where they will finish their elective and general education requirements).

The criminal justice generalist degree is also being delivered to active police officers in Ontario via a combined effort with Sault College. These officers (primarily Ontario Provincial Police officers) have their courses provided to them via online classes, DVD tape delayed courses and independent study.

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*Based on survey of 2004-2006 LSSU graduates

Fire Science with Honors...

SavannahSue Rondeau
Fire Science

"I love the fast pace environment, the people in the profession, and the adrenaline rush of running into a burning building or saving someone’s life," she says.

Rondeau chose Lake Superior State University because it offers the first accredited four-year fire science degree in the United States. She also jumped at the challenge of LSSU's Honors program, which requires her to complete 21 Honors credits, including 10 credits for an Honors seminar/thesis project.

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