宾州州立大学帕克分校

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Criminal Justice helps provide its graduates with the communications and analytical skills critical to succeed in criminal justice and related careers. Through an interdisciplinary approach to the problems of crime and society, the program also equips students to pursue graduate study in criminal justice or related disciplines, and educates students to become effective problem-solvers as professionals in the field of criminal justice.

The study of criminal justice is approached as an applied interdisciplinary science, teaching students both the theoretical and the practical aspects of crime control and the administration of justice. The Criminal Justice curriculum provides students with the opportunity and assistance to acquire knowledge of the roles of policing, courts, laws, and corrections as they relate to both the adult and juvenile justice system. Students also gain knowledge of the history, concepts, and critical issues related to the role of gender and race/ethnicity in the criminal justice system, victimology, and ethics in criminal justice. The curriculum further provides a theoretical foundation of the discipline, combined with a thorough understanding of the scientific method as it applies to criminal justice. This combination is expected to sharpen the students' talents of reasoning and judgment, qualities imperative to rational functioning in criminal justice and related professions.

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 enjoy helping others, or doing something for the greater good.

You are interested in all aspects of the law, including the psychology behind criminal behavior and the way criminal justice and social service agencies operate.

You want to serve society and have good people skills.

You are interested in a career in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, or another part of the criminal justice system.

PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Interpret behavior and social circumstances from a criminological perspective.

Explain the letter and spirit of the rules that dictate what you are allowed to do as an agent of the State.

Describe the operation of specific criminal justice roles and how those roles contribute to the organic function of the justice system.

Apply the methods of scientific inquiry to criminal justice policy and problems.

Communicate effectively with members of the community, the justice system, and the polity.