Academic Programs
the possibilities.
Whether you are interested in law enforcement, forensics, private security, loss prevention, corrections, human services, probation and parole or law school, Gannon’s criminal justice program can help you achieve your goals. As a criminal justice major you will gain a strong understanding of the criminal justice system along with a broad social science background.
Criminal justice graduates can find employment in a vast array of settings, including federal, state and local law enforcement and related agencies; prison systems, crime analysis divisions, adult and juvenile treatment facilities; county court administration; corporate security; and insurance and loss prevention companies.
Extremely competitive careers for criminal justice graduates also exist in divisions of the following:
| • Federal Bureau of Investigation • Central Intelligence Agency • Drug Enforcement Agency • Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms |
• U.S. Border Patrol • U.S. Customs • Immigration and Naturalization Services • Internal Revenue Service • U.S. Attorney General’s Office |
About the Program
• The criminal justice program is housed in the Gannon University Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work, which combines the studies of criminal justice, justice studies, sociology and social work.
• Students in the criminal justice program interact with students and professors in the fields of biology, chemistry, psychology, philosophy, history, political science, accounting, risk management and insurance, sports management and marketing and computer and information science studies. The criminal justice program is interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary in nature.
• All criminal justice students have an opportunity to participate in the criminal justice professional societies: Alpha Phi Sigma (APS), the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and the Criminal Justice Club.
• All criminal justice students engage in service learning activities with other students in the Gannon community and within the larger Erie community.
Associate's Degree Program
Gannon’s associate degree program is designed for the individual who is seeking a career in criminal justice, or to improve skills and opportunities for advancement in a current occupation.
The Gannon Advantage
- Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
- Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
- On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
- An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
- Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
- Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.
• Criminal justice majors can choose to pursue the Duquesne Law School 3+3 Program and complete their undergraduate and law school experience in six years, instead of seven.
• Thirteen percent of criminal justice students continue on with graduate school studies and 87 percent are employed in their chosen entry level position.
• Gannon alumni from the criminal justice program work at places such as: the Erie Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Erie County Adult Probation, Erie County Juvenile Division, Millcreek Police, Perseus House, Inc., Vision Quest Inc., ABRAXAS, the State Attorney General’s Office, the F.B.I., Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Dept., D.C. Capitol Police, and as behavioral specialists in various educational settings.
• MBA OR MPA IN FIVE YEARS – Qualified juniors at Gannon may choose to pursue an accelerated MBA or an MPA, and complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in just five years, rather than six.
• SCHOLARSHIPS – Scholarships are available through the William Weston Scholarship Award and the Charlotte Newcombe Scholarship Fund.
• INTERNSHIPS – Criminal justice students participate in either an internship or service learning experience to acquire hands-on experience in the real world.
• Employment projections for positions in criminal justice through the year 2012 are expected to increase by 28 percent (growing faster than the average for graduates with four year degrees).
• SALARY – The average starting salary for law enforcement personnel is approximately $43,500 or higher.
• NEXT-STEP OPTION – Transfer students with an associate’s degree in arts or science may be able to complete this major through Gannon’s Next–Step Program. Next–Step guarantees acceptance of up to 64 credits with grades of C or better and allows students to enter Gannon with junior level status.
109 University Square • Erie, Pennsylvania 16541-0001 (Get Directions)
1-800 GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668) or 814-871-7000
Web site Powered by ActiveCampus™ Software by LiquidMatrix