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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
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Criminal Justice

Explore Penn State Altoona's Criminal Justice program by clicking through the links in the menu. If you don't see the menu, click on the "Open" button on the left-hand side of your screen.

Contact the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator to learn more

Why major in Criminal Justice?

Penn State Altoona’s Criminal Justice degree program offers a broad-based education in the liberal arts tradition. In addition to the breadth and depth of knowledge about criminal justice, the program helps you cultivate key skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, issue analysis, and problem-solving. As a graduate of this program, you will be an adaptable and flexible participant in your community's civic and intellectual life, appreciate cultural diversity, and practice ethical behavior.

A criminal justice degree provides strong preparation for careers in corrections, parole and probation, law enforcement, and courts. In addition, you will be prepared to pursue graduate studies in criminal justice, law school, and related areas of graduate education.

Opportunities and Options

Our program allows you to pursue an associate degree, a bachelor of arts degree, or a bachelor of science degree. The bachelor of arts degree emphasizes proficiency in a foreign language. In contrast, the bachelor of science degree allows you to select four related courses that reflect your specific area of interest. A hallmark of our criminal justice program is the opportunity for students to participate in a criminal justice internship. This opportunity provides students with valuable experience at the federal, state, and local levels by working with various agencies involved in the criminal justice system. In addition, students experience seeing how the concepts they have learned in their studies apply to real-world situations with their internship host agency.

You may also become involved outside the classroom with the Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) and Alpha Phi Sigma (APS), the criminal justice honor society. Both CJO and APS offer plenty of opportunities for field trips and service to the local and college community and informative sessions such as self-defense courses and speakers discussing graduate education seminars.

Criminal Justice

  • Request Information about Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
  • Suggested Academic Plans
  • Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
  • Minor in Criminal Justice
  • Groups and Teams
  • Criminal Justice Faculty and Staff
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Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

Find Out More

See Also

  • Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences
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Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
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