At Trevecca, criminal justice is more than a field of study. It’s more of a mission field.
Program Director Dr. Craig Bishop puts it simply: “This is a ministry, and that’s why I say it’s a calling.”
Bishop has lived the work he now teaches—probation and parole, policing in Illinois and Indiana, years of training new officers. That background shapes the way he mentors students. “I’m able to speak into the lives of our students with that real experience,” he said.
Bishop talks about the relationship between truth and grace, accountability with compassion, de-escalation over escalation and what it means to honor the dignity of every person on their hardest day.
“When an incident occurs, for the offender, it’s the worst day of their life. And you have the opportunity to step in,” he said. “And it doesn’t mean that you divert justice. But there’s been many times when I arrested people and instead of yelling at them, I prayed for them, either silently or talking to them, reassuring them that God’s at work in their life.”
Those prayers led to more spiritual interaction. He said, “I had some great worship services in my police car going to the county jail.”
This kind of restorative kindness gave Bishop a reputation. “People actually wanted me to be the one to arrest them because they knew I was going to be square with them,” he said with a smile. “I was going to be ethical and respectful and treat them with dignity. And that’s what our students are trained to do.”
At Trevecca, that same spirit defines the criminal justice studies program. Students aren’t just learning laws and procedures—they’re learning how to lead with wisdom, integrity and empathy.
Rooted in a Christian worldview, Trevecca’s program emphasizes service and moral character alongside practical, real-world training. “Our students are offering what agencies are wanting with their value system,” Bishop said. “When we talk about being Christlike, we’re talking about ethics, morals, honesty and empathy for others. Law enforcement agencies want that too.”
That foundation of faith and ethics is paired with hands-on preparation. The curriculum covers everything from criminal investigation and juvenile justice to corrections, criminology and emergency management. And with Trevecca’s location in the heart of Nashville, students have access to real opportunities for learning and service.
Through a partnership with the Metro Nashville Police Department, qualified students can complete internships that serve as the first step toward full-time employment. “Every one of our students who has done that has been hired,” Bishop said. “It’s working.”
Students also find a mentor in Bishop himself, whose passion for servant leadership defines the program’s tone. “I really want to invest in their lives and invest in them vocationally as well as academically,” he said.
Trevecca’s criminal justice studies program prepares students for careers in policing, corrections, social services and beyond—but it also prepares them for something deeper: a lifetime of service.
As Bishop tells his students, “Be in prayer about what gifts and passions the Lord is stirring in you. Within the criminal justice system, there’s an area of ministry that you can go into. But constantly surrender to the Lord, because you can’t do it on your own.”