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Crime, Law, and Justice
315 or 316 Oswald Tower
814-863-0078
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Crime, Law, and Justice Program encourages students to develop an understanding of crime and criminal behavior, the law and its development and application, and the social and organizational context of justice systems. The program faculty is nationally renowned for their research and work in understanding the causes of criminal behavior and the operation of the criminal justice system.
The Crime, Law, and Justice program offers both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. The bachelor of arts degree provides students with a broad-based education devoted to the analysis of crime and justice systems, while the bachelor of science degree provides the opportunity to develop a stronger foundation in research methods, quantification, and the sciences. Either the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree is suitable for students seeking careers in the criminal justice system and for those students interested in graduate or law school.
RELATED EXPERIENCES
Undergraduates are encouraged to apply to work as teaching or research assistants with criminal justice faculty members and to be involved with the Justice Association, a student organization for all students in the Crime, Law, and Justice major. Outstanding students may be eligible to participate in the Crime, Law, and Justice Honors Program. Internships are strongly encouraged for both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science students.
CAREER DIRECTIONS
The Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources indicate that career opportunities in criminal justice are growing rapidly. Graduates with a degree in Crime, Law, and Justice find an extensive array of career opportunities in federal, state, and local agencies as well as in private centers and institutions.
Some occupations in which Crime, Law, and Justice graduates are employed include corporate security specialist, correctional counselor, counselor of juvenile offenders, investigator, law enforcement officer, probation officer, and victim’s advocate.
Additionally, many graduates of the program pursue graduate studies in criminology, law, human development, and the social sciences.