Department Contact:
Francis Worldwide Dean: Dr. Tricia McFadden
Francis Worldwide Director: Mrs. Sherri Link, Academic & Student Affairs
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 includes 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.
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 2 to 3 years of part-time study
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, 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.
Admission Requirements:
See Francis Worldwide, School of Continuing Studies for Admission criteria and information.
Admission Deadline:
The program has rolling admission.
Licensure and/or Certification:
This program is not designed to lead to licensure or certification.
Total Credits Required:
60 credits
Progression and/or Retention Criteria
Students who graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice are eligible to enter the workforce at entry-level positions. After obtaining the associate degree, many adult learners will continue their studies at Saint Francis University to earn a Bachelor of Science degree.
- Over the past 5 years, over 98% of School of Business graduates have been gainfully employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year of graduation.
- Exit survey results indicate that over 99% of School of Business graduates feel prepared for their respective careers upon graduation.