At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Criminal Justice minor provides an overview of the criminal justice system and a thorough grounding in criminological theory. Students receive an in-depth look at the three main system components: policing, courts, and corrections, as well as the opportunity to delve into two or more specialized topics relating to criminal justice. The minor is designed not only for students who have a professional interest in criminal justice, but also for those who want to be informed members of the voting citizenry. A functional understanding of crime and the criminal justice system is useful in many careers, including law, social work, education, and journalism.
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 want to be informed members of the voting citizenry. A functional understanding of crime and the criminal justice system is useful in many careers, including law, social work, education, and journalism.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| 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 |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits of 400-level CRIMJ courses (excluding CRIMJ 495) | 6 | |
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
Patricia Collins
Program Chair
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7533
pxc36@psu.edu
Beaver
Mari Pierce
Associate Professor of Administration of Justice
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3549
mbp16@psu.edu
Berks
Jennifer Murphy
Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
Franco,F138
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6050
BKCrimJust@psu.edu
Fayette
Judith Sturges
Associate Professor
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4263
jes45@psu.edu
Harrisburg
Jennifer Gibbs, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W160
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6648
jcf25@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Ron Kelly
Program Coordinator, Criminal Justice
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6075
rap179@psu.edu
Shenango
Travis Milburn
Assistant Professor
147 Shenango Ave.
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
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu
Career Paths
The minor is designed not only for students who have a professional interest in criminal justice, but also for those who want to be informed members of the voting citizenry. A functional understanding of crime and the criminal justice system is useful in many careers, including law, social work, education, and journalism.
Careers
Career Services supports and serves students and alumni, faculty and staff, families, and employers in all areas related to career development and preparation. We can assist in any of the following: 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
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Contact
Altoona
DIVISION OF EDUCATION, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Elm Building 103
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5756
alg177@psu.edu
https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/criminal-justice
Abington
DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7533
pxc36@psu.edu
https://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/majors-at-abington/criminal-justice
Beaver
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3549
mbp16@psu.edu
Berks
DIVISION OF HUMANITIES, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Franco Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6050
BKCrimJust@psu.edu
Fayette
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4263
jes45@psu.edu
https://fayette.psu.edu/academics/baccalaureate/criminal-justice
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Olmsted Building, W160
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6648
jlh379@psu.edu
https://harrisburg.psu.edu/public-affairs/criminal-justice-minor
Schuylkill
Academic Affairs
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6075
rap179@psu.edu
Shenango
147 Shenango Ave.
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2954
twm5527@psu.edu
https://shenango.psu.edu/academics/degrees/criminal-justice
Wilkes-Barre
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9216
rss5718@psu.edu
World Campus
DIVISION OF EDUCATION, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Elm Building 103
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5756
alg177@psu.edu
https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-criminal-justice-minor