Criminal Justice, B.A. (Altoona)

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Program Description

Students receiving a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice should understand each of the three main components of the criminal justice system and their interrelationships, be able to evaluate critically both current and future crime control policy proposals and criminal justice research, and understand the complexity of the crime phenomenon and its relationship to individual, social, and cultural factors. This major includes study in law enforcement, courts and corrections individually and as components of a system, plus work in theories of crime causation, and crime control policy. Students should expect reading, writing, and critical thinking skills to be rigorously applied and developed throughout the degree program. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice provides a broadly based liberal arts background for the study of crime, justice and the criminal justice system. The Bachelor of Science degree offers an opportunity for educational enrichment in fields not traditionally considered part of the liberal arts. Either degree is excellent preparation for a career in criminal justice, graduate, or professional study, or informed citizenship.

What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is the study of the adult and juvenile justice systems, including law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. It is interdisciplinary and includes understanding the intersections of law, public policy, and behavioral science, in an effort to understand crime as a social problem and improve these systems for the good of society.

You Might Like This Program If...

You have an interest in working in corrections, courts, court administration, law enforcement, and probation and parole. Students completing this course of study are prepared to enter law school and graduate degree programs in more specialized areas. Every student in this degree will participate in an internship at a host agency located in a local, state or federal agency of their choice.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Entrance to Major

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:

attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
have at least third-semester classification.

READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, a minimum of 120 credits is required:

Program Requirements
Requirement	Credits
General Education	45
Electives	6-10
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements	24
Requirements for the Major	48-49

4-7 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 0-3 credits of GH courses; 4 credits of GQ courses.

3 of the 24 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major, General Education, or Electives and 0-12 credits are included in Electives if world language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.

Requirements for the Major

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CRIMJ 100	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CRIMJ 210	Policing in America	3
CRIMJ 220	Courts and the Prosecution Process	3
CRIMJ 230	Corrections in America	3
CRIMJ 290	Introduction to Internship Experience	2
CRIMJ 441	The Juvenile Justice System	3
CRIMJ 450W	Senior Seminar	3
CRIMJ 495	Internship in Criminal Justice	3
SOC 12	Criminology	3
SOC 119N	Race, Ethnicity and Culture	3-4
STAT 200	Elementary Statistics	4
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CRIMJ 250W	Research Methods in Criminal Justice	3
or SOC 207	Research Methods in Sociology
PHIL 103	Ethics	3
or CRIMJ 465	Ethics in Criminal Justice
Select 9 credits from any 400-level CRIMJ course that does not already fulfill another requirement in the major		9

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

Arts (GA): 3 credits
Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
Humanities (GH): 3 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

United States Cultures: 3 credits
International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

B.A. Degree Requirements

World Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one world language in addition to English. This proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the Placement Policy for Penn State World Language Courses.

B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, World Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major; world language credits in this category must be in a second world language in addition to English or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language). Credits must be selected from the list of approved courses.

World Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the University Cultural Diversity (US/IL) requirement.

Program Learning Objectives

Knowledge Base in Criminal Justice: Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the major components of the criminal justice system and juvenile justice system as well as how these components interact. Student understanding of the criminal justice process will be enhanced through targeted courses in courts, corrections, and policing that highlight the unique needs, challenges, and operation of these components. Across the curriculum, students will be exposed to criminological theories that help to explain the role of gender, race/ ethnicity, and other background characteristics on offending, victimization, and criminal justice processing.
- Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in criminal justice
- Develop a working knowledge of criminal justice content domains
- Describe applications of criminological theory
Research Methods: Students will understand the importance and practical use of social science research methods and the role these play in criminal justice policy.
- Use scientific reasoning to interpret criminal justice policy
- Demonstrate criminal justice information literacy
- Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
- Interpret, design, and conduct basic criminological research
Professional Writing and Critical Thinking: Students will practice writing and critical thinking skills through writing assignments across the curriculum and the completion of at least one writing intensive course.
- Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes
- Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
- Interact effectively with others
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills concerning issues in criminal justice
Ethics: Students will understand the role of ethics in criminal justice.
- Apply ethical standards to evaluate criminal justice research and policy
- Build and enhance interpersonal relationships
- Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels
Placement: Students will be prepared for placement in the criminal justice field through an internship experience.
- Apply criminal justice content and skills to career goals
- Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation
- Refine project and time-management skills
- Enhance teamwork capacity
- Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Altoona

Mary Ann Probst, Esq.
Program Coordinator/Assistant Teaching Professor
Cypress Building 103
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5352
map141@psu.edu

Abington

Lisa Morris
Program Chair
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7397
lxv2@psu.edu

Beaver

Mari Pierce, Ph.D.
Professor in Charge & Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
100 University Drive
213 Ross Administration Building
724-773-3549
mpb16@psu.edu

Berks

Lauren Martin
Program Chair, Criminal Justice and Associate Professor of Sociology
Gaige 304
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6214
BKCrimJust@psu.edu

DuBois

Adam Bundy
Academic Advising Manager
214 DEF Building
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4763
ajb5294@psu.edu

Fayette

LaVarr W. McBride
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Administration of Justice
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4240
lwm13@psu.edu

Greater Allegheny

Katherine McLean
Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
109C Main Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
kjm47@psu.edu

Sandra Trappen
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
104B Main Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
slt62@psu.edu

Jennifer Croyle
Assistant Teaching Professor, Pyschology
104D Main Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
jmc948@psu.edu
(Internship Advising Only)

Hazleton

Pamela Black
Associate Professor of Administration of Justice
Memorial 105
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3548
pup1@psu.edu

Lehigh Valley

Debra Dreisbach
Lecturer
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-2895-5000
dad68@psu.edu

New Kensington

Richard Wentling
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
3550 7th Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6761
rwentling@psu.edu

Schuylkill

Ron Kelly
Criminal Justice Program Coordinator
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6075
rap179@psu.edu

Shenango

Travis Milburn
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2954
twm5527@psu.edu

Wilkes-Barre

Rebecca Sarver
Program Coordinator, Criminal Justice
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9216
rss5718@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Criminal Justice, B.A. at Altoona Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CRIMJ 100^*	3	CRIMJ 220^*	3
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15^‡	3	PHIL 103^†	3
PSU 3	1	STAT 200^‡	4
Elective	3	CAS 100^‡	3
General Education Course	3	World Language Course Level 1	4
General Education (GQ)^‡	3
	16		17
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CRIMJ 210	3	SOC 12^†	3
CRIMJ 230	3	SOC 119N^†	4
World Language Course Level 2	4	World Language Course Level 3	4
General Education Course	3	General Education Course	3
General Education Course	3	General Education Course	3
		General Education Course (GHW)	1.5
	16		18.5
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CRIMJ 441^*	3	CRIMJ 290^*	1
General Education Course	3	CRIMJ 465^*	3
General Education Course	3	400 Level CRIMJ Selection^*	3
General Education Course	3	SOC 207	3
Elective	3	B.A. World Cultures Course	3
		ENGL 202A or 202D^‡	3
	15		16
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CRIMJ 495^*	3-10	CRIMJ 450W^*†	3
400 Level CRIMJ Selection^*	3	400 Level CRIMJ Selection^*	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
General Education Course	3	Elective	3
	12-19		12
Total Credits 122.5-129.5

*: Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
‡: Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
#: Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
†: Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements:

Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.

Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.

Career Paths

Graduates of the Criminal Justice program are prepared to enter the workforce or can continue their graduate education in Master’s and Ph.D. programs, as well as law school. Penn State Altoona Career Services supports and serves students in all areas related to career development and preparation including: Major and Career Exploration Career Decision-Making Preparation of Employment Documents Internship and Job Search Strategies Interview Preparation Preparing for Graduate School Developing your Professional Online Brand Presentations and Workshops.