Criminal Justice Minor

Go to information for Communications and Criminal Justice .

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Schwab 314, 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 the theory and practice of the criminal justice system.
• Develop core knowledge, skills, and perspectives of practitioners in the criminal justice field. 
• Achieve higher-order competencies (ethics, communication, problem solving and compassion) needed to provide leadership in the criminal justice field.  

Total Credits Required:

15 credits