Studying criminal justice has led me to personal growth and self-discovery of my ethics, as I learned about the complexities of crime, justice, and the human behavior of others. Penn State Hazleton's criminal justice program challenged my assumptions about the criminal justice system, encouraging me to see the issues and how I can make a difference as a Penn State graduate in my future endeavors.
Criminal Justice Overview
Our program focuses on both the theoretical and the practical aspects of crime control and the administration of justice. Required core courses introduce students to the three branches of the criminal justice profession: policing, courts and corrections.
Students are also trained to understand the importance of research methodology and the role of statistical analysis in the creation of public policy, as well as the role of racial, ethnic, gender, and status group inequality in the creation and enforcement of the law.
Students may round out their studies focusing on various aspect of criminology and criminal justice, including, but not limited to victimology, deviance, law and society, juvenile justice, theories of crime and the law and ethics.
Finally, students cap their academic experience with an internship in criminal justice or related fields.
Request Information about Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Degree Options
The Criminal Justice degree options at Penn State Hazleton prepare students for a career in criminal justice, graduate, or professional study, or informed citizenship.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice
Emphasizes proficiency in a foreign language while providing a broadly based liberal arts background for the study of crime, justice and the criminal justice system.
To learn about degree program options, program requirements, learning outcomes, career paths, and suggested academic plan (SAP), visit the Criminal Justice, B.A. Undergraduate Bulletin.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice
Allows you to select four related courses that reflect your specific area of interest and offers an opportunity for educational enrichment in fields not traditionally considered part of the liberal arts.
To learn about degree program options, program requirements, learning outcomes, career paths, and suggested academic plan (SAP), visit the Criminal Justice, B.S. Undergraduate Bulletin.
Careers in Criminal Justice
Potential careers available to graduates of the Criminal Justice program include:
- FBI
- U.S. Secret Service
- U.S. Marshal's Office
- U.S. Immigration Office
- Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Pennsylvania State Police
- Sheriff's offices
- 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
- Animal welfare organizations
- Drug and alcohol recovery programs
- Code enforcement
