Program Overview

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice program at Penn State Schuylkill offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, providing students with the necessary communications and analytical skills to succeed in criminal justice and related careers. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the program equips students to pursue graduate study in criminal justice or related disciplines and educates them to become effective problem-solvers as professionals in the field.

Program Details

The study of criminal justice is approached as an applied interdisciplinary science, teaching students both the theoretical and practical aspects of crime control and the administration of justice. The curriculum helps students understand the various roles of the criminal justice system, including policing, courts, laws, and corrections. Students also study the history, concepts, and critical issues related to the role of gender and race/ethnicity in the criminal justice system, victimology, and ethics in administration of justice.

Career Opportunities

Many career possibilities exist for graduates of the Criminal Justice program at Penn State Schuylkill, including roles within:

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation
• U.S. Secret Service
• U.S. Marshal's Office
• U.S. Immigration Office
• Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Pennsylvania State Police
• Sheriff departments
• Municipal and state police departments
• Security and loss prevention programs
• Private security firms
• Border and highway patrol
• Prison security
• Court administration
• Delinquency prevention programs
• Youth shelters and other juvenile residential institutions
• Women's shelters
• Drug and alcohol recovery programs

Accelerated Bachelor's/J.D. Program

The Accelerated Bachelor’s/J.D. Program gives outstanding Penn State undergraduates the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree and J.D. in a compressed time frame, fast-tracking their chosen legal careers.

Internships and Co-Op

Students can apply to internships with organizations such as:

• Pennsylvania State Police
• Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
• Local boroughs
• Probation and parole offices of surrounding counties For those students wanting an even richer career-focused experience, students majoring in criminal justice are eligible to participate in Penn State Schuylkill Co-Op.

Complement your degree with a minor in Addictions and Recovery

The multi-disciplinary minor in Addictions and Recovery supplements the educational needs of students who wish to gain advanced knowledge and skills to support people struggling with a substance use disorder in all stages of the recovery process. Upon completion of the minor, students will have the knowledge and skills to support development and administration of programs designed to improve outcomes for those struggling with addictions and recovery.

Other Programs

Other programs offered at Penn State Schuylkill include:

• Law (B.A. or B.S.)
• Biology
• Business
  • Accounting Option
  • Business Analytics Option
  • Health Services Option
  • Individualized Option
  • Marketing/Management Option
• Corporate Communication
  • Sports Administration Certificate
• Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
• Information Technology
• Nursing
• Psychology (B.A. or B.S.)