B.A. in Criminal Justice Administration

 

Now more than ever, society needs highly skilled, ethical criminal justice professionals who are deeply committed to helping others, safeguarding the public and upholding the law.


In a nation that faces many new and complex challenges, from human trafficking to cybercrime to gang violence and the drug epidemic, criminal justice practitioners need to be equipped with specialized intelligence and skills to fight 21st century crime and ensure that justice is served.


The Criminal Justice Program at Alvernia University prepares students with the education required to enter careers in enforcement, investigation, social services, law, victim services and other related professions. Experiential learning enriches the curriculum and students have many opportunities to work in the field. Students can gain experience and knowledge of various careers through a required internship at a criminal justice related agency of their choice including police departments, probation and parole offices, the courts, law offices, private security and victims’ rights organizations among many others. Those pursuing careers in law enforcement have the opportunity to attend the Reading Police Academy to obtain Municipal Police Officer Certification as part of the four-year degree.
 

Careers in Criminal Justice

The demand for professionals with specialized skills in this field is expected to rise over the next decade, increasing employment opportunities for graduates of the Criminal Justice Program.
 

In addition to earning advanced degrees in law and related fields, Criminal Justice majors choose careers in local, state and national law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Defense.


These are among the many career paths students can pursue with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice:
 

  • Computer Forensic Specialist
  • Conservation Officer
  • Correctional Officer
  • Crime Analyst
  • Crime Scene Technician
  • Criminal Justice Policy Advisor
  • Criminal Law Paralegal
  • Criminal Profiler
  • Customs Inspector
  • Drug Enforcement Administration Agent
  • FBI Agent
  • Federal Air Marshal
  • Fraud Investigator
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Graduate School
  • Homicide Detective
  • IRS Security Inspector
  • Juvenile and Adult Probation Officer
  • Lawyer
  • Parole Officer
  • Police Officer
  • Private Investigator
  • Researcher
  • Secret Service Agent
  • State Trooper
  • Victim Services Provider

 


 

Curriculum

Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts; Criminal Justice majors must complete 48 credits in the major.

Required courses for criminal justice majors are:

  • CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CJ 102 Criminology
  • CJ 201 Criminal Law
  • CJ 217 Gender, Race and Crime
  • CJ 220 Writing for the Criminal Justice Professional
  • CJ 221 Research Methods I for Criminal Justice
  • CJ 273 Corrections, Probation and Parole
  • CJ 302 Judicial Process and Procedures
  • CJ 350 Professional Seminar/Criminal Justice
  • CJ 377 Juvenile Justice System
  • CJ 379 Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • CJ 403 Senior Seminar
  • CJ 408 Agency Practicum
  • CJ 422 Crisis Management
  • Plus 1 criminal justice elective course (3 credits)

Eighteen credits are required for a minor in criminal justice. Required courses are:

  • CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CJ 102 Criminology
  • CJ 217 Gender, Race and Crime
  • CJ 379 Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • Plus 2 criminal justice elective courses (6 credits)
Experiential Learning 

Through internships, students have opportunities to apply theories and knowledge learned in the classroom in a variety of professional settings. In addition to providing exposure to the activities and expectations of a real-world workplace, internship experiences help students develop their network of professional contacts. Students also have the opportunity to participate in field trips to crime labs, police academies and other related agencies.

Research Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to conduct research with a criminal justice professor who will act as a mentor. Students have presented their research at national and international conferences.

Tuition

To determine the cost of this program, please visit our Tuition page.  For a personalized estimate, please contact an admissions counselor at 610-790-8269 or at admissions@alvernia.edu.

Financial Aid

Alvernia offers loan, grants, scholarships, and payment plans. Our admissions counselors can help you identify the aid that is available to you and for your program. For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.

Accreditation

All programs offered by Alvernia University are approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

 

 


Learn More

For more information about Alvernia’s Criminal Justice Program contact the Admissions Office at 1-888-ALVERNIA or 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu.

 

Criminal Justice Administration

Student with dog on campus
Impact of Experiential Learning
2019 Graduate Elizabeth Goida values the first hand knowledge she received through her internship with the Reading Police Department and her research through Alvernia’s Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (S.U.R.F.) where she explored the impact of K-9 units.
mike lanza criminal justice
Connecting with the Community
As president of Alvernia's Criminal Justice Association, Lanza '22 arranged for club members to cook and serve dinner to residents of Safe Berks, an organization that supports victims of domestic violence.
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