Fact Sheet 07: Criminal Justice

Revised June 2007

Criminal Justice

The criminal justice curriculum at West Chester University is a broad-based, interdisciplinary program that combines theory with application. Courses that deliver applied knowledge complement a solid core curriculum of theory, philosophy, and analysis. The program is designed to fulfill your needs as a student within the following four categories:

A carefully planned, four-year program of study to prepare you for a career in criminal justice;
Those from two-year colleges who seek bachelor's degrees;
Criminal justice professionals who want to increase professional competencies;
Those who wish to pursue master's degrees or law degrees.

The program provides a core curriculum of required courses to ensure a solid working knowledge of the major systems within the discipline, as well as practical experience in a criminal justice setting. A venue for the development of critical, analytical, and communication skills exists in a variety of elective courses that permit you to tailor an academic career to professional goals. These primary programmatic qualities advantageously position you as a graduate for entry-level jobs in criminal justice agencies or for postgraduate studies.

Career Opportunities

Criminal justice graduates have the educational credentials necessary for most positions in the criminal justice system, with the exception of those requiring a law degree. Most positions in the corrections field, such as probation or corrections officers, require a bachelor's degree. More and more law enforcement and security agencies are now requiring a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions as well. Graduates of the program will have sound foundations for continuing academic careers to obtain a postgraduate degree in criminal justice or law.

Some of the organizations the University's graduates have joined include the following:

City and suburban police departments
County probation and parole offices
District attorneys' offices
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Insurance and private investigation agencies
Pennsylvania Department of Probation and Parole
Pennsylvania State Police
Private investigation firms
Private law firms
Public defenders' offices
U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Bureau of Prisons
U.S. Marshall's Office

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This degree provides you with the required background for most areas of the criminal justice field.

Minor

Criminal justice

Typical Courses

A wide variety of courses are available within the undergraduate and graduate curriculums. These include courses concerning theory, research methods, law and procedure, investigation, criminal behavior, organized crime, and corrections. In addition, senior courses address special contemporary criminal justice issues.

Special Study Opportunities

A primary feature of the program is the summer practicum served at a criminal justice agency. It is designed to give you the opportunity to apply acquired theoretical knowledge and to learn from direct professional experience in the field. You may serve in several areas of the criminal justice system: police departments, investigation units, district attorneys' and public defenders' offices, probation/parole offices, private investigation agencies, retail security departments, and some federal agencies (U.S. Marshall's Office, U.S. Bureau of Prisons).

Related Student Activities

Criminal Justice Association (Sigma Tau Omicron)
The Law Society

Advanced Degree

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Faculty

You can obtain a complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications for this program from the University's Web site: www.wcupa.edu.

For More Information

Professor Jana Nestlerode, Chairperson
Department of Criminal Justice
200-A Ruby Jones Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2647