Criminal Justice, B.A.

Criminal Justice

With communities growing and citizens expecting safer towns and cities, along with the attention the FBI and other law enforcement offices have received in the wake of the tragedy of September 11th, the criminal and juvenile justice workforce continues to grow. Besides the need to prepare students for career opportunities in the field of criminal justice, this program provides a unique major of Criminal Justice in Southeastern Pennsylvania, in which the Franciscan vision of peace and justice supports and vitalizes law enforcement professions.

This distinctive program, in concert with Neumann University’s Mission, aims to plant the seed of the spirit of Saint Francis where it has most need of being started and the best chance for making a difference in the world. This spirit takes a view of sin and redemption, penance, justice, forgiveness, and preferential options for the poor and disenfranchised as the essential foundation of a criminal justice curriculum. Based in Gospel principles, the Criminal Justice program at this Franciscan University relies upon the innate goodness of humanity and the possibilities for redemption and rehabilitation for the betterment of the total community.

In order to spread this vision of criminal justice, the program prepares students to find employment in wide-ranging areas: courts and judicial offices, juvenile facilities, environmental protection services, forensic investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, police departments, state prisons, sheriffs departments, city police organizations, highway patrol units, or community-based corrections (probation and parole). The Criminal Justice major provides opportunities for the study of many facets of the criminal justice system within a context of Franciscan values and is designed for those students who plan to attend graduate or professional school and/or pursue careers in criminal justice or other forms of public service.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Criminal Justice and will be able to:

• Understand the innate goodness of humanity and the possibilities for redemption and rehabilitation for the betterment of the total community.
• Understand various aspects of the multifaceted criminal justice system in the United States.
• Embark on career opportunities in the field of criminal justice.
• Gain practical work experience in one or more criminal justice professions through participation in the Cooperative Education Program.

Admission Criteria

Candidates for admission to the Criminal Justice major are required to:

• Complete CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice , with a minimum grade of “C.”
• Achieve a grade of “C” or higher for all Criminal Justice courses taken prior to admission to the major.
• Have earned a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.

Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements

Progression in the Criminal Justice major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires students to:

• Submit a current Pennsylvania Criminal Background Clearance preceding the semester of application for either an internship or Cooperative Education experience.
• Achieve a grade of “C” or higher for all major course requirements.
• Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.
• Complete a minimum of 122 credits.

Cooperative Education Requirement

Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) credits in Cooperative Education in areas related to Criminal Justice.

Course Requirements

Suggested Four-Year Curriculum: 122 Credits