Criminal Justice, B.S.

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, 814-472-3379, krhodes@francis.edu

Program Description:

The purpose of the Criminal Justice program is to provide the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary for preparing for careers and/or future advanced study in the three principal career domains: law enforcement and security, courts and corrections. The program enables students to demonstrate an understanding of the origins of criminal behavior, society’s response to crime, and its consequences to our society through multiple perspectives. Students will possess the core competencies of successful practitioners in the Criminal Justice field, which include critical and analytical thinking, effective writing and speaking, research skills, a capacity for reflective and informed problem-solving and decision making, and to demonstrate human compassion and professional presence. Each graduate will leave with the highest sense of Franciscan values related to the respect and care for individual persons as well as a strong appreciation for social justice, equality, and diversity among citizens regardless of their economic standing in society.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Understand and conceptualize, analyze, and theorize the nature of crime, order, security, and justice issues in U.S. society as well as the world.
• Acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and perspectives to prepare for a career in law, juvenile justice, law enforcement and security, criminal justice administration, forensic investigation, and corrections.
• Develop the necessary higher-order competencies of successful practitioners in the Criminal Justice field by way of critical and analytical thinking, decision making, communication capabilities, ethical behavior, and demonstrating compassion and professional presence.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically four years of full-time study

Capstone Requirement:

The capstone requirement is satisfied with completion of CJ 450  Advanced Research Seminar in Criminal Justice and Criminology (3 credits).

Total Credits Required:

128 credits