Program Overview
The B.S. in Criminal Justice at West Chester University was one of the first academic criminal justice programs on the East Coast. Founded on cutting edge principles nearly 50 years ago, our B.S. remains on the forefront of innovation today! The B.S. in Criminal Justice program is flexible, and allows students to focus on areas of interest such as law enforcement and investigation, criminal prosecution or defense, probation and parole, juvenile treatment, corrections, victims' advocacy, crime mapping, research, and more. The program is also interdisciplinary in nature to include psychological, sociological, geographical, ideological, and political perspectives on criminal justice. The Criminal Justice major is within the College of Business and Public Management, which is focused on academic innovation, globalization, sustainability, and community partnerships. The College encourages students to be empowered, engaged, and innovative. Sigma Tau Omicron (Criminal Justice Student Association) TeamFIT (fitness group for criminal justice students) Alpha Phi Sigma (National Honor Society).
Program Highlights
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Faculty experts and practitioners
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Full-time summer field practicum with a criminal justice agency
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Research, presentation, and conference attendance opportunities
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Accelerated program option (B.S. and M.S. in Criminal Justice in 5 years)
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Program based study abroad options
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Crime and Justice Film and Lecture Series
What can I do with this degree?
WCU Criminal Justice graduates go on to careers in public and private agencies, including:
- crime victims' centers,
- law offices,
- child welfare agencies,
- juvenile delinquency centers,
- offices of the district attorney and/or public defender,
- probation and parole offices,
- correctional facilities,
- and law enforcement agencies.
Below is just a selection of where our graduates can be found:
- U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Chester County Adult Probation
- Chester County District Attorney’s Office
- Delaware State Police
- West Chester Borough Police Department
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence
- New Jersey State Police
- Pennsylvania State Police
- Philadelphia Police Department
- State of Delaware Attorney General’s Office
- University of Pennsylvania Health System
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Secret Service