Criminal Justice Degree
Make a difference in your community and stand out from your peers with a degree in Criminal Justice.
You will learn skills relevant to today’s criminal justice system, including crime investigation, law enforcement process, and prosecution of offenders. The criminal justice degree allows you to obtain leadership positions across law enforcement, corrections, the court system and more.
Criminal Justice B.S. Degree
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree offers a foundation in criminal law, legal procedures, theory, scientific research, ethics, and diversity. Areas of study include law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The curriculum is designed to offer a balance of theory and application through various service learning and internship opportunities. In addition, the program prepares students for graduate and/or professional studies.
Criminal Justice A.S. Degree
The criminal justice curriculum, designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program, provides students with a solid foundation in criminal justice and the liberal arts. Students successfully completing this criminal justice degree may continue at Keystone College and earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Students meeting all graduation requirements receive an associate in science degree.
Minor
Keystone’s criminal justice or criminal-justice investigation minors are great supplements for anyone interested in law and criminal justice.
Real World Experience and Internships for Criminal Justice
Certain lessons can only be learned through direct hands-on experiences outside of the classroom. A criminal justice internship can help you develop your experience by learning the ropes from more experienced professionals and it is the best way to bridge the gap between going to school and landing a great job. You’ll gain relevant real-world experience that can help you decide if a career in criminal justice is the right career choice for you.
Inside Out Prison Exchange Program
Inmates and college students learn about criminal justice together. Not only does the class give inmates a chance to learn what a college class is like, it helps break down stereotypes—from both sides.
Criminal Justice Careers
Earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice can prepare you for graduate studies or help you get hired for many different job opportunities within the criminal justice system. There are many career options in the criminal justice field that that you may want to consider including police officer, probation officer, FBI agent or computer forensic specialist. With so many roles and options available, you can find a job that is a good fit for your unique interests, skills, talents, and salary expectations.
Our Criminal Justice Graduates
Our criminal justice graduates have been hired by Allied Terrace, the ARC, Bethesda Day Treatment, Brier and Brier Law Office, Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, Delaware State Police, Department of Justice, Equal Employment Opportunity Training Center, FBI, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Friendship House, Glove House Inc. (adolescent group home), JC Penny Loss Prevention, Keystone College Office of Public Safety, Keystone College Resources, Kobel Law Firm, Lackawanna County House Arrest and Work Release, Lourdesmont, Luzerne County Juvenile Center, Overfield Township Police, PA Attorney General’s Office, PA Liquor Control Board, PA State Police, PA State Unemployment Office Scranton Counseling Center, Scranton Health Care, ROTC, Towanda Borough Police Department, Troy Police Departments, Wayne County Probation Department, Wyoming County 911, Wyoming County Correctional Facility, Youth Services Agency.
Graduates have also continued their studies at East Stroudsburg University, St. Joseph’s University, Shippensburg University and Widener University.
Criminal Justice Degree Requirements
Curriculum Guide for the Criminal Justice B.S. Degree
Semester 1
- Intro to Criminal Justice
- First-Year Seminar
- College Writing I
- Tech Elective
- Quantitative Elective
- Critical Reading 0/2
Semester 2
- Policing in America
- College Writing II
- Social and Cultural Elective
- Corrections in America
- Scientific Literacy
Semester 3
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
or PSYC 2205 – Psychology of Adolescence
or PSYC 2210 – Adulthood and Aging - Research Methods for the Social
- Social and Cultural Elective
- Arts and Humanities Elective
- Gen Ed Elective
Semester 4
- Public Policy or Constitutional/Criminal Law
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Speech Communications
- Minor/Free Elective
- Arts and Humanities Elective
Semester 5
- Moral Reasoning
- Curricular Elective 2000+
- Statistics or Statistics for the Social Sciences
- Minor/Free Elective
- Curricular Elective 3000
Semester 6
- Research Methods
- Curricular Elective 3000+
- Curricular Elective 3000+
- Minor/Free Elective 3000+
- Minor/Free Elective
Semester 7
- Field Experience Prep
- Statistics and Research or Research Implementation and Analysis
- Free Elective 3000+
- Minor/ Free Elective
- Minor/Free Elective
- Gen Ed Elective
Semester 8
- Social Science Internship or Curricular 3000+
- Senior Seminar
- Leadership Strategies or Police Operations and Management
- Free Elective 3000+
- Free Elective 3000+
Updated: 10/2017
Disclaimer: The courses listed above are a sampling for marketing purposes only. Students should consult the College catalog and their academic advisor for course selection and degree progress. Students will work closely with an academic advisor to select courses and/or academic minors that fit their interests, as well as with Career Services for career goals. While the academic advisor assists the student in planning his/her curriculum, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting the requirements of the curriculum selected.
Curriculum Guide for the Criminal Justice A.S. Degree
Semester 1
- College Writing I
- First Year Seminar
- Intro to Criminal Justice
- Quantitative: (College Algebra or a higher level MATH course)
- Tech Elective
- Critical Reading
Semester 2
- Social & Cultural Elective: (Gen Psych)
- College Writing II
- Policing in America
- Corrections in America
- Scientific Lit. Elective
- Free Elective
Semester 3
- Criminology
- State and Local Government
or Public Policy
or Constitutional/Criminal Law - Developmental Psychology
or Psychology of Adolescence
or Adulthood and Aging - Free Elective
- Free Elective
- Field Experience Prep
Semester 4
- Speech Communication
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Field Experience or Curricular 2000+
- Arts & Humanities Elective
- Gen Ed Elective
- Grad Audit
Updated: 10/2017
Disclaimer: The courses listed above are a sampling for marketing purposes only. Students should consult the College catalog and their academic advisor for course selection and degree progress. Students will work closely with an academic advisor to select courses and/or academic minors that fit their interests, as well as with Career Services for career goals. While the academic advisor assists the student in planning his/her curriculum, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting the requirements of the curriculum selected.
College Catalog
See the official college catalog for all course descriptions and degree requirements.
Hands on Experience
Internships and Field Experiences
Not all education happens in the classroom. Internships and other field experiences give students the opportunity to learn through direct hands-on experiences outside of the classroom with a real world experience in the field.
Undergraduate Research
The process of research and discovery while working with a faculty mentor enriches the learning process and creates positive attributes which will last a lifetime. Undergraduate research encompasses both traditional research and creative endeavors.
Study Abroad
You can explore your academic goals in an international setting and global environment. The experience of living in a new country will build your self-confidence, add valuable skills to your tool box, and will alter how you view yourself, the world, and your own country.