The Criminal & Social Justice major at the University of St. Francis offers students an exciting alternative to a traditional criminal justice program by offering the opportunity to build a concentration in one of several specializations. The focus of the program goes beyond the criminal justice system and examines historical, social, and legal barriers to creating a more just society. Students are educated about the structure and process of the criminal justice system with a holistic, Catholic social justice perspective.
Writing skills, ethics and integrity, service and social justice are emphasized to prepare students for a profession where these traits and skills are in high demand. The program seeks to provide students with a broad liberal arts foundation challenged by Franciscan values, and engage them in the continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice. Students will explore and understand societal issues that lead to criminal behavior, and will learn theoretical and practical knowledge of the structures, processes, and functions of the criminal justice institutions and their relationship to other social systems.
Concentrations
Students must choose from one of six concentrations
Forensics:
BIOL 114 Human Biology/Lab 4
CHEM 120 Foundations of Chemistry/Lab 5
CHEM 495 Directed Study: Forensics 2
PSYC 260 Introduction to Forensic Psychology 3
Leadership:
(open to practicing Law Enforcement officers only) **
ORGL 331 Leadership Principles 3
ORGL 332 Interpersonal Communications in the Workplace 3
ORGL 333 Team Building and Development 3
ORGL 335 Strategies for Change 3
ORGL 336 Ethics in the Workplace 3
ORGL 337 Human Resource Issues for Leaders 3
ORGL 338 Contemporary Issues in Leadership 3
**All courses are offered online
Politics and Law:
CSJU 320 Terrorism 3
CSJU 410 White Collar Crime 3
CSJU 494 Topics: 3
POLI 210 Introduction to Law 3
POLI 350 Legal process/Mock Trial 3
POLI 375 American Public Policy 3
Psychology:
PSYC 240 Life-Span Development 3
PSYC 250 Abnormal Psychology 3
PSYC 260 Introduction to Forensic Psychology 3
PSYC 302 Psychology of Terrorism 3
PSYC 342 Adolescent Behavior 3
PSYC 350 Personality 3
Social Work:
SWRK 315 Social Policy II 3
SWRK 321 The Legal System and the Helping Profession 3
SWRK 363 Social Work Practice I 3
SWRK 364 Social Work Practice II 3
SWRK 424 Social Work in a Pluralistic Society 3
Minor
- Criminal & Social Justice
Accreditations
The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
What Can You Do With This Degree?
Employment projections for criminal justice occupations at the county, state and national levels are higher than average. Upon graduating, University of St. Francis Criminal & Social Justice majors can pursue a variety of career possibilities in law enforcement and corrections as well as civilian positions in court administration, computer crime and security, and community advocacy. They will integrate ethics, integrity, cultural diversity and tolerance in their public service and community leadership roles, using strong interpersonal skills such as communication and conflict resolution.
Grow Through Real-World Experience
The senior capstone practicum in the Criminal & Social Justice program is an opportunity for senior students to gain further experience by working with professionals in a criminal justice, corrections, probation or law enforcement setting. It allows students to explore areas of possible employment while gaining valuable, real-world experiences. In addition, all University of St. Francis students are encouraged to combine practical experience with their college curriculum. Employers say they often look for students who have an internship on their resume, therefore, internships are a significant part of the USF experience.
