The Criminal Justice Department is dedicated to providing the theoretical, practical and professional knowledge needed in today’s environment to be successful in the fields of law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, parole, private security, and the related service careers. Emphasis is placed upon preparing the student to enter the professional workplace or continue studies in graduate school. The curriculum is designed to provide students with expert instruction on the most current trends, policies and practices in the field. This is not a “one size fits all” major, but one that provides the variety offered in the course selection to encourage each individual to build a personal program for the future with the assistance of a faculty advisor.

Alvernia has recruited faculty who are professionals in their respective fields within the criminal justice system. In addition to academic accreditation, the full-time faculty have extensive experience in the criminal justice system. All part-time faculty are practicing professionals in the area in which they teach. The strength of the department lies in the philosophy that faculty are, at the present time, working in the specific field of the course they teach. Class instruction is therefore as current as the events of the day. The curriculum of the Criminal Justice Administration major is innovative and demands intensive classroom learning combined with extensive research and required field experience. Most courses offer an opportunity for field experience and there is a required field practicum.

Students with career goals in law enforcement have the option of attending the Reading Police Academy to obtain Municipal Police Officer Certification (Act 120) as part of their four-year degree without extended time or expense. Students are eligible to apply for the Academy during their junior year in order to attend in their senior year.

Criminal Justice Association

Alvernia has an active Criminal Justice Association as a local chapter -Alpha Chi Sigma of the National Criminal Justice Association -Lambda Alpha Epsilon. Membership is open to all criminal justice majors.  Dues are paid only once in the student's career and is priced incrementally for new students.  New students who pay their dues at the first CJA meeting receive a free t-shirt.

Saint Thomas More Honor Society

The Saint Thomas More Honor Society is the honors society of the Criminal Justice Department and is open to all criminal justice majors who meet the membership criteria. 

The membership criteria is:

1. Must be a Criminal Justice major.
2. Must be an active member of the Criminal Justice Association.
3. Must have attained junior status academically at time of application.
4. Must have completed 15 credits in Criminal Justice at Alvernia College at the time of application.
5. Must have a 3.2 Grade Point Average in Criminal Justice in their major and a 3.2 overall GPA at the time of application.
6. Must attend the banquet in all years of eligibility.
7. Must attend Division Awards to receive the medallion.
8. Must demonstrate knowledge of the life of Saint Thomas More as a model and patron for Criminal Justice majors.
9. Must make one time dues payment at the time of application. ($50.00)

Graduate Studies

Alvernia College offers a Master of Business Administration: Community Service and Economic Leadership. This degree is ideal for executives and future executives, or managers in Criminal Justice and Addiction or Chemical Abuse agencies and organizations. The degree offers a special option in Criminal Justice that includes courses that are appropriate for executive and managerial career paths. Registration and applications are now being processed. Contact Graduate Admissions at 610-796-8296.

Students Speak Out

The reason that I like Alvernia College Criminal Justice is because of the hands-on teaching style of the professors. Every professor has previous experience in the subjects that they teach. The chair of the department is a former FBI agent and my advisor is a former major with the State Police. They give us great insight in the profession with a sense of reality. Our school also offers opportunities that are not available at other schools. Last year my law class sat in on an argument before the United States Supreme Court. My law professor is a sitting Common Pleas Court Judge. I also got to tour the FBI Academy in Virginia and observed training scenarios. The experienced faculty have also made valuable connections for me for an internship and employment. I am glad that I choose Alvernia.
- Jill Ballard, 1999
Hampstead, Maryland

I came to Alvernia College from Camden Catholic High School for the Criminal Justice. After a year I thought that I wanted a big school program so I transferred to a large university in New Jersey. The following year I returned to Alvernia. I found out that the bigger schools do not have the better programs. The quality of the faculty and the variety of the course offerings at Alvernia can't be beat. Check it out and you will be here in the Fall.
-Tom Simmers, 1999
Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Alvernia is the only college in the region that had what I wanted in Criminal Justice. This fall I will enter the Reading Police Academy as part of my academic program and still remain a full-time college student with my campus position of Senior Resident Assistant. In December I will graduate from the academy with ACT 120 Municipal Police Certification. My internship with the State Police this past summer has put me in a position to be very competitive for employment when I graduate in May. I will have earned my college degree and police certification without any extra time or expense. My position as president of the Criminal Justice Association has also created some very interesting leadership opportunities for me too. 
-Wayne Holben, 2000
City, PA

My goal is to enter law school after graduation and I am extremely pleased with the level and variety of pre-law courses that are offered in the Criminal Justice Program. My internship with the Berks County District Attorney was extremely helpful in reinforcing my commitment to graduate school. As president of the Saint Thomas More Honor Society I have formed some valuable friendships that will always be an important part of my college experience. Even though I am a commuter, I would recommend Alvernia CJ no matter how far you have to travel. 
-Michele Braun, 2000
Reading, PA 


Alvernia College is the school if you plan to enter the field of Criminal Justice. I chose my school very carefully because I knew that my decision would mean being eight hours away from home. Even though I was accepted at several other schools Alvernia offered the best course selection in my comparisons. I was also impressed with the experience level of the professors. I am a junior and can't believe all of the things that I have learned already. I feel that I am very lucky to have found Alvernia. We have a student faculty ratio that allows for individual attention and small class sizes for focused learning opportunities. Our Criminal Justice Association offers lots of interesting trips, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. I am happy with the decision that I made to go to Alvernia, and can't wait to get my degree in Criminal Justice so I can start to apply all that I am learning. Oh, don't forget that at Alvernia, you are an individual with a name, and not just a number. 
-Athena Dedes, 2001
Cohasset, Massachusetts

I chose Alvernia Criminal Justice because my high school counselor told me that they had one of the best programs in the state and after my first year I knew that my counselors were right. It makes a big difference being taught by professors who have the real world experience and have done what you want be. I play varsity women's basketball and enjoy the friendship of my team mates. We are really "family" in the major too. Everyone is very helpful.
-Sarah Newton, 2001
Minersville, Pennsylvania


When I saw the Alvernia College Criminal Justice web page I was very impressed and decided to look into the school. The chief of police at home made some calls for me and informed me that the program was highly regarded by professionals in the field. I decided on Alvernia and it was the right choice for me. Things that we do on a regular basis in class are considered special projects at other schools. In my freshman year I was on a planning committee with the local police chief as part of my Community Policing class. I also enjoy the liberal arts core courses because I am getting a balanced education. The best part is the small class size and individual attention. They told me that Alvernia was a well kept secret in the past but I think that the word is getting out. Next Fall they are opening a new student center and a new residence hall.
-Rob Weldon, 2001
Syracuse, New York

I came to Alvernia College as an undecided student based upon the reputation of the woman's basketball team. All of my friends on the team kept telling me about CJ and they seemed really enthused about their courses. And the CJ students are always active on trips, programs, guest speakers, or some kind of activity. I became a major at the end of my freshman year and now I want to work with troubled children. The program has a good background to let you go in the direction that interests you. Our classes are interesting and the students are enthusiastic about the major. We have strong school spirit in CJ.
-Erin McDougall, 2001
Media, Pennsylvania

Ever since I participated in the Sheriff's Youth Ranch at the ages of 11 I have been fascinated by criminal justice and law enforcement. For two years during high school, I was a Law Enforcement Explorer through the local Sheriff's department. I also participated in the New Jersey State Police Trooper Youth Week after I completed my Junior year of high school. All of these experiences have reinforced my determination to eventually become a New Jersey State Trooper. I chose to come to Alvernia because of the friendly, experienced faculty and the reputation of the Criminal Justice Department. I also wanted to come to a relatively small school where my teachers would know my name and I wouldn't feel as though I were just another face in the crowd. The people at Alvernia really care and make you feel welcome. The course selection is great too. I have gotten involved as a work study in the Criminal Justice Department, Vice President of the Criminal Justice Association, President of the Resident Student Housing Organization, goalie on the Lacrosse Team, Cross Country Team, and as a student Ambassador. There are lots of opportunities here at Alvernia.
-Jennifer Struck, 2003
Pittsgrove, New Jersey

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