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What You'll Be Doing

Gannon University believes in the many paths protectors can travel. 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. You will develop a critical sense of personal and civic responsibility that will prepare you to succeed in this highly competitive field.

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). 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 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 and the U.S. Attorney General’s Offi ce. The average starting salary for law enforcement personnel is approximately $43,500 or higher.

Associate Degree Program

In addition to offering a Bachelor's degree, Gannon offers an associate degree program designed for the individual who is seeking a career in criminal justice, or to improve skills and opportunities for advancement in a current occupation.

College Connections

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, computers, 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 fraternities: (LAE) Lambda Alpha Epsilon and (APS) Alpha Phi Sigma.

All criminal justice students engage in service learning activities with other students in the Gannon community and within the larger Erie community.

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.