BA Criminal Justice at Pennsylvania State University

Programme overview

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.

Faculty: Penn State Abington | Duration: minimum 120 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: University Park, PA, United States

What you will study

The degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, including General Education and the requirements for the major. Required courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Policing in America, Courts and the Prosecution Process, Corrections in America, Introduction to Internship Experience, The Juvenile Justice System.

Career pathways

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.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

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

Undergraduate applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer entry; the application opens August 1 for Fall and Summer and June 1 for Spring.

Early Action: apply by November 1 to receive a decision by December 24. Recommended submission deadline for all applications: December 1. Applicants apply through the MyPennState application or the Common App. A nonrefundable application fee is paid by credit card; fee waivers are available to eligible students.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.psu.edu/apply/

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