Program Overview
The Criminal Justice Program (CRJS) at Gannon University is an interdisciplinary, undergraduate major that is dedicated to education, research, and service in the fields of criminal justice, public safety, and social justice. With the capacity to develop graduates who have intellectual curiosity, moral commitment and professional competence to confront the challenges of crime and justice, CRJS strives to provide students with critical thinking and effective communication skills as well as cultivate their capacity for personal growth and creative problem solving. Essentially, we seek to inspire students to become responsible citizens and public servants. Building on this foundation, CRJS offers its students a diverse curriculum that balances the arts, sciences and humanities with professional training, and challenges them to make a difference in the lives of others.
Consistent with contemporary standards of education in Criminal Justice, our curriculum
emphasizes the need for students to be exposed to the most significant areas of study in the
criminal justice system – law enforcement, policing, corrections, probation, parole, juvenile
justice, criminal law and criminology. In each of these areas, course offerings stress both theoretical concepts and practical applications. The program has minors in Applied Forensic
Investigation, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections. As a complement to the classroom experiences,
the program requires students to engage in experiential learning such as field placement,
internships, and service-learning projects. These allow the student to observe the day to day
operation of specific agencies.
In addition to preparing students for initial criminal justice careers, the Criminal Justice
Program provides students with a solid academic foundation for subsequent graduate
education in criminal justice, related social science disciplines and law.
Program Options
- Bachelor of Arts
- Associate of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts for Graduates of Two Year Colleges
- Corrections Minor
- Criminal Justice Minor
- Forensic Investigation Minor
- Juvenile Justice Minor
Liberal Studies Core
The Liberal Studies Core Curriculum is one reflection of Gannon University's commitment to
its Catholic identity. The Core's design offers students a defined, integrated, shared
experience as the foundation for their undergraduate program.