Criminal Justice Administration

Fight 21st century crime to ensure justice is served

In a nation that faces many complex challenges, from human trafficking and 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. Alvernia University’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration Program prepares students with the education required to enter careers in enforcement, investigation, social services, law, victim services and other related professions.

Taught by practicing professionals in law enforcement and professors with backgrounds in the FBI and as government consultants, Alvernia's program offers current practices and timely information to its students. The program’s online format gives students flexibility to study on their own time.

Learn more about Alvernia’s on-campus undergraduate program, its online program, and its Adult Education program.
 

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Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Program Overview

Curriculum

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Criminal Justice Administration majors must complete 48 credits in the major.

Required Courses (45 credits; 'C' or better required in all courses)

• CJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CJ 102: Criminology (pre-requisite: CJ 101)
• CJ 201: Criminal Law (pre-requisite: CJ 101)
• CJ 217: Gender, Race and Crime (pre-requisite: CJ 101)
• CJ 220: Writing for Criminal Justice Professional (pre-requisite: CJ 101)
• CJ 221: Research Methods I for Criminal Justice (pre-requisites: CJ 101, CJ 102)
• CJ 273: Corrections, Probation & Parole (pre-requisite: CJ 101)
• CJ 302: Judicial Process and Procedures (pre-requisite: CJ 101, 201)
• CJ 350: Professional Seminar for Criminal Justice (pre-requisites: CJ 101, junior status)
• CJ 377: Juvenile Justice System (pre-requisites: CJ 101, 102)
• CJ 379: Ethics in Criminal Justice (pre-requisite: CJ 101)
• CJ 403: Current Issues in Criminal Justice (pre-requisites: CJ 101,221, junior status)
• CJ 408: Agency Practicum (pre-requisites: CJ 101, 102, 201, 221, 350; 2.0 overall GPA, 2.0 GPA in major, senior status, & background clearances)
• CJ 422: Crisis Management (pre-requisites: CJ 101, 201, & 217; senior status or permission of Department Chair)

Required Criminal Justice Electives (3 credits; 'C' or better required)

• CJ 470: Police Academy (pre-requisites: CJ 102, 201, 220, 221 and 350; senior status, permission of instructor, successful application process and acceptance by the Reading Policy Academy)

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Opportunity to attend the Reading Police Academy.
• Internships: fraud investigations; federal, state and local law enforcement; probation and parole; juvenile institutions, National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; Berks County District Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Program, government policy agencies.
• Trips to the FBI Academy, the FBI Headquarters and Museum, PA State Police Academy, crime labs, National Law Enforcement Museum, local jails.
• The Criminal Justice Association of Alvernia University is made up of criminal justice majors, forensic science majors and other students interested in the criminal justice field. The club focuses on all aspects of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, probation and parole, the court system, corrections, victims and forensic science. In addition to meeting regularly, the club engages in various community activities and service projects, organizes trips, and brings in outside speakers.

Accreditation Statements

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Police Officer
• Correctional Officer
• FBI Agent
• Private Investigator
• Crime Prevention Specialist
• Crime Scene Investigator
• State Trooper
• Criminal Law
• Corrections
• Criminal Justice Professor
• Probation Officer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is projected to grow up to 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $48,000 to $80,000.

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