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Welcome to the Criminal Justice ProgramWelcome to the Criminal Justice Programat at

Penn State University, Altoona CollegePenn State University, Altoona College L. Edward Day, Ph.D., Program CoordinatorL. Edward Day, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

Michael Arter, Ph.D., Assistant ProfessorMichael Arter, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Vidisha Barua, LLM, Ph.D., Assistant ProfessorVidisha Barua, LLM, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Scott Kelly, Ph.D. Student, Lead Advisor Scott Kelly, Ph.D. Student, Lead Advisor Robert Worley, Ph.D., Assistant ProfessorRobert Worley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

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OverviewOverview

Students receiving a baccalaureate degree in Students receiving a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice, either B.S. or B.A., should criminal justice, either B.S. or B.A., should develop an understanding of each of the three develop an understanding of each of the three main components of the criminal justice system main components of the criminal justice system and their interrelationships, be able to evaluate and their interrelationships, be able to evaluate critically both current and future crime control critically both current and future crime control policy proposals and criminal justice research, policy proposals and criminal justice research, and understand the complexity of the and understand the complexity of the phenomena of crime an criminal behavior and phenomena of crime an criminal behavior and its relationship to the individual, social, and its relationship to the individual, social, and cultural factors.cultural factors.

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This program includes the study of law This program includes the study of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. These enforcement, courts, and corrections. These courses will include study as individual courses will include study as individual courses and as components of a system, courses and as components of a system, plus work in theories of crime causation, and plus work in theories of crime causation, and crime control policy. Reading, writing, and crime control policy. Reading, writing, and critical thinking skills are absolutely critical thinking skills are absolutely essential to successful completion of this essential to successful completion of this degree, as well as successful careers in degree, as well as successful careers in criminal justice. Students should enter well-criminal justice. Students should enter well-equipped in these skills, and should expect equipped in these skills, and should expect them to be rigorously applied and them to be rigorously applied and developed throughout the degree program.developed throughout the degree program.

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The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice provides a broadly based liberal arts Justice provides a broadly based liberal arts background for the study of crime, justice, background for the study of crime, justice, and the criminal justice system. The and the criminal justice system. The Bachelor of Science offers and opportunity for Bachelor of Science offers and opportunity for educational enrichment in fields not educational enrichment in fields not traditionally considered part of the liberal traditionally considered part of the liberal arts. Either degree is excellent preparation arts. Either degree is excellent preparation for a career in criminal justice, graduate or for a career in criminal justice, graduate or professional study, or informed citizenship. professional study, or informed citizenship. Both degrees require a minimum of 128Both degrees require a minimum of 128 credits.credits.

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What Do Criminal Justice Majors What Do Criminal Justice Majors Do?Do?

A degree in criminal justice is solid A degree in criminal justice is solid preparation for many careers. While many preparation for many careers. While many criminal justice majors indicate a preference criminal justice majors indicate a preference for law enforcement, others find careers in for law enforcement, others find careers in prisons, community corrections, or court prisons, community corrections, or court administration. Government positions in administration. Government positions in criminal justice are available at the local, criminal justice are available at the local, county, state and federal levels, and private county, state and federal levels, and private security is a growing and important source of security is a growing and important source of jobs for criminal justice students.jobs for criminal justice students.

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The criminal justice major at Penn State The criminal justice major at Penn State Altoona focuses on one of the most important Altoona focuses on one of the most important public policy areas in our county today, and is public policy areas in our county today, and is good preparation for graduate study in law, good preparation for graduate study in law, criminology, and other fields. Also, like criminology, and other fields. Also, like students in other majors, criminal justice students in other majors, criminal justice students often find employment and build students often find employment and build careers in fields not directly related to their careers in fields not directly related to their major, such and insurance, journalism, human major, such and insurance, journalism, human services, and the military. It is an excellent services, and the military. It is an excellent major both for a career and formajor both for a career and for life.life.

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Why Major in Criminal Justice?Why Major in Criminal Justice?

Nationwide, criminal justice is a labor Nationwide, criminal justice is a labor intensive, growth industry; careers in intensive, growth industry; careers in criminal justice, especially corrections, criminal justice, especially corrections, continue to show strong growth. According continue to show strong growth. According to Pennsylvania Workforce 2005, two of the to Pennsylvania Workforce 2005, two of the major employment areas for criminal justice major employment areas for criminal justice majors, legal services and protective majors, legal services and protective services, will provide many more services, will provide many more opportunities in the future.opportunities in the future.

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Workforce 2005 projected that legal Workforce 2005 projected that legal services occupations would grow by 11,100 services occupations would grow by 11,100 positions, with paralegal employment positions, with paralegal employment increasing by over 40%. Protective increasing by over 40%. Protective services occupations were expected to services occupations were expected to expand by 6.1%, for a total of 3,175 job expand by 6.1%, for a total of 3,175 job openings. Positions for corrections officers openings. Positions for corrections officers and jailers (16.7%), detectives and and jailers (16.7%), detectives and investigators (20.8%), and guards (11.8%), investigators (20.8%), and guards (11.8%), shows the strongest growth trends within shows the strongest growth trends within protective services occupations.protective services occupations.

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The criminal justice program at Penn State The criminal justice program at Penn State Altoona offers various options:Altoona offers various options:

Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science Associate of ScienceAssociate of Science

Minor in Criminal Justice (18 credits)Minor in Criminal Justice (18 credits)

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As important part of the Bachelor of Science As important part of the Bachelor of Science Degree is a sequence of four courses chosen by Degree is a sequence of four courses chosen by students based on their own interests and career students based on their own interests and career goals.goals.

All baccalaureate students are required to All baccalaureate students are required to complete a minimum three-credit internship with a complete a minimum three-credit internship with a criminal justice agency.criminal justice agency.

The criminal justice major at Penn State Altoona is The criminal justice major at Penn State Altoona is based on the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences based on the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences standards for criminal justice education.standards for criminal justice education.

In addition to studying police, courts, and In addition to studying police, courts, and corrections, students learn about computer, corrections, students learn about computer, statistics, ethics, social research and multi-cultural statistics, ethics, social research and multi-cultural issues, as well as other key issues in modern issues, as well as other key issues in modern criminal justice.criminal justice.

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The Criminal Justice The Criminal Justice OrganizationOrganization

The Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) was The Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) was created by, and designed for, students with created by, and designed for, students with an interest in criminal justice. The an interest in criminal justice. The organization was designed with four factors organization was designed with four factors in mind: a social element, and educational in mind: a social element, and educational element, a service component, and a support element, a service component, and a support component.component.

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CJO: Social ElementCJO: Social Element

The CJO was developed to provide a forum The CJO was developed to provide a forum for those students with common interests in for those students with common interests in criminal justice. This could include such criminal justice. This could include such things as : Pizza parties, movies, casual things as : Pizza parties, movies, casual “get together’s,” etc. There is also a CJO “get together’s,” etc. There is also a CJO phone & e-mail directory with the names of phone & e-mail directory with the names of members and officers.members and officers.

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CJO: Educational ElementCJO: Educational Element

Educationally, the CJO is a key instrument in Educationally, the CJO is a key instrument in helping with career decisions and academics. helping with career decisions and academics. The CJO works towards bringing speakers to The CJO works towards bringing speakers to the campus who are working as a the campus who are working as a professional in some area of criminal justice. professional in some area of criminal justice. The criminal justice program also has an The criminal justice program also has an active Mock Trail Team and this coming fall, a active Mock Trail Team and this coming fall, a new Mediation Team will be initiated (new Mediation Team will be initiated (please please see your advisor for information)see your advisor for information). . Anyone interested is encourage to join.Anyone interested is encourage to join.

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CJO: Service ComponentCJO: Service Component

The CJO was designed with a service The CJO was designed with a service component in mind. This is intended to component in mind. This is intended to allow students to work within the community allow students to work within the community and represent, not only themselves and the and represent, not only themselves and the CJO, but, Penn State Altoona as well. This is CJO, but, Penn State Altoona as well. This is done by coordinated volunteer work in the done by coordinated volunteer work in the nearby communities.nearby communities.

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CJO: Support ComponentCJO: Support Component

Members of the CJO are willing to lend a Members of the CJO are willing to lend a helping hand to fellow students who are helping hand to fellow students who are having problems with their academics. This having problems with their academics. This comes about in the forms of mentoring and comes about in the forms of mentoring and tutoring.tutoring.

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Alpha Phi Sigma (Alpha Phi Sigma (ΑΦΣΑΦΣ)) Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) is the nationally recognized Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) is the nationally recognized

honor society for students in criminal justice. honor society for students in criminal justice. The society recognizes academic excellence by The society recognizes academic excellence by

undergraduate, as well as graduate students of undergraduate, as well as graduate students of criminal justice and criminology. criminal justice and criminology.

Our local APS chapter can be a fulfilling Our local APS chapter can be a fulfilling experience, as its members decide it to be. The experience, as its members decide it to be. The chapter can be a forum for guest speakers, chapter can be a forum for guest speakers, organized trips, tour facilities, and become organized trips, tour facilities, and become involved in community service projects. involved in community service projects.

Some examples are recent tours to state prisons, Some examples are recent tours to state prisons, K-9 training facilities, crime labs, and our ever K-9 training facilities, crime labs, and our ever present need for fund raising.present need for fund raising.

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APS: Membership APS: Membership Requirements:Requirements:

Students must have a declared major, minor Students must have a declared major, minor or equivalent in criminal justice field.or equivalent in criminal justice field.

Have completed three full time semesters or Have completed three full time semesters or equivalent.equivalent.

Must maintain at least a 3.2 overall GPA on Must maintain at least a 3.2 overall GPA on a scale of 4.0.a scale of 4.0.

3.2 GPA in their criminal justice courses.3.2 GPA in their criminal justice courses. The student must also have completed a The student must also have completed a

minimum of 4 courses within the criminal minimum of 4 courses within the criminal justice field.justice field.

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InternshipsInternships A key element for the Criminal Justice Degree student is A key element for the Criminal Justice Degree student is

the Internship Program. The Internship Program, CJ495, the Internship Program. The Internship Program, CJ495, allows students to gain valuable experience using the allows students to gain valuable experience using the application process (what is learned in the classroom application process (what is learned in the classroom and applying it “hands on” in the field).and applying it “hands on” in the field).

Some internships are paid internships, which means, the Some internships are paid internships, which means, the student gets paid while applying practical solutions student gets paid while applying practical solutions learned in the classroom to their job. Most internships learned in the classroom to their job. Most internships are not a “paid” position, but either paid or unpaid you are not a “paid” position, but either paid or unpaid you will be earning credits for graduation and, you will earn will be earning credits for graduation and, you will earn valuable experience by applying what you have learned valuable experience by applying what you have learned in the classroom to the “real world.”in the classroom to the “real world.”

Prior interns, act as student guides by discussing their Prior interns, act as student guides by discussing their experiences. There are booklets and pamphlets on experiences. There are booklets and pamphlets on internships available in your advisor’s office for review. internships available in your advisor’s office for review. The opportunity for research is also provided.The opportunity for research is also provided.

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Advising Advising

Students entering the Criminal Justice Students entering the Criminal Justice Degree Program are strongly encouraged Degree Program are strongly encouraged NOT to engage in “Self Advising” (this NOT to engage in “Self Advising” (this happens when students happens when students do notdo not meet with meet with their advisors on their advisors on a regular basisa regular basis and take it and take it upon themselves to make course and career upon themselves to make course and career decisions and end up still having classes to decisions and end up still having classes to take when they should be graduating and take when they should be graduating and moving on to Graduate School or their moving on to Graduate School or their careers). careers). Please visit your academic Please visit your academic advisor on a regular basis.advisor on a regular basis.

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CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSES CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSES (CJ)(CJ)

CJ 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)CJ 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) Overview of the criminal justice system, Overview of the criminal justice system,

including legal foundations, processing and including legal foundations, processing and correction of offenders, extent and types of correction of offenders, extent and types of crime, and victims.crime, and victims.

There are five parts: The Foundations of Crime There are five parts: The Foundations of Crime and Justice, The Police, The Courts, Corrections, and Justice, The Police, The Courts, Corrections, and Juvenile Justice. This course gives and in-and Juvenile Justice. This course gives and in-site into other criminal justice courses that you site into other criminal justice courses that you will encounter as part of the CJ curriculum.will encounter as part of the CJ curriculum.

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CJ 210: The Law Enforcement Function (3)CJ 210: The Law Enforcement Function (3) Purpose and function of police in society, recruitment, Purpose and function of police in society, recruitment,

training, duties, socialization; organization of police training, duties, socialization; organization of police agencies.agencies.

Review police discretion, and important key element in Review police discretion, and important key element in policing.policing.

CJ 220: Courts and the Prosecution Process (3)CJ 220: Courts and the Prosecution Process (3) Purpose and function of criminal courts in society, Purpose and function of criminal courts in society,

organization, jurisdiction and staffing; prosecution, organization, jurisdiction and staffing; prosecution, adjudication and sentencing of offenders.adjudication and sentencing of offenders.

Review Landmark Supreme Court Cases, two models or Review Landmark Supreme Court Cases, two models or value systems that compete for priority in the operation value systems that compete for priority in the operation of the criminal process which are the Crime Control of the criminal process which are the Crime Control Model and the Due Process Model, Substantive versus Model and the Due Process Model, Substantive versus Procedural Justice, Equal versus Individualized Justice, Procedural Justice, Equal versus Individualized Justice, these are just to name a few topics that will be covered these are just to name a few topics that will be covered over the course of the class semester.over the course of the class semester.

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CJ 230: Correction is America (3)CJ 230: Correction is America (3) Punishment and treatment of sentenced offenders, Punishment and treatment of sentenced offenders,

correctional institution organization, staffing, inmates correctional institution organization, staffing, inmates and subcultures.and subcultures.

The history of corrections is reviewed for an The history of corrections is reviewed for an understanding of the modern day and future trends of understanding of the modern day and future trends of correctional institutions.correctional institutions.

CJ 297: Special Topics (1-9)CJ 297: Special Topics (1-9)

CJ 420: Criminal Law and Procedure (3)CJ 420: Criminal Law and Procedure (3) Common law and statutory crimes, Constitutional Common law and statutory crimes, Constitutional

rights of accused persons, liability of criminal justice rights of accused persons, liability of criminal justice professionals.professionals.

Prerequisite: CJ 220Prerequisite: CJ 220

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CJ 430: Community Corrections (3)CJ 430: Community Corrections (3) Control and treatment of offenders in the community, Control and treatment of offenders in the community,

probation and parole organizations, diversion probation and parole organizations, diversion programs, innovative sentences, supervision programs, innovative sentences, supervision techniques.techniques.

Prerequisite: CJ 230Prerequisite: CJ 230

CJ 450W: Criminal Justice Policy (3)CJ 450W: Criminal Justice Policy (3) Two major criminal justice paradigms of the late 20Two major criminal justice paradigms of the late 20thth

century; historical, political and social contexts; policy century; historical, political and social contexts; policy initiatives and outcomes.initiatives and outcomes.

Prerequisite: Senior standing; CJ 100, 210, 220, Prerequisite: Senior standing; CJ 100, 210, 220, 230, and SOC 012; or permission of instructor.230, and SOC 012; or permission of instructor.

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CJ 460: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency (3)CJ 460: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency (3) Identification and processing of young offenders, Identification and processing of young offenders,

delinquency correlates, juvenile courts and corrections.delinquency correlates, juvenile courts and corrections. Prerequisite: SOC 012.Prerequisite: SOC 012.

CJ494: Research Project (1-12)CJ494: Research Project (1-12) Prerequisite: SOC 007.Prerequisite: SOC 007.

CJ 495: Criminal Justice Internship (3-12)CJ 495: Criminal Justice Internship (3-12) Field experience in a criminal justice agency.Field experience in a criminal justice agency. Students will given a binder with step-by-step instructions Students will given a binder with step-by-step instructions

on how to complete a successful internship and how to on how to complete a successful internship and how to choose the right internship for their career interests.choose the right internship for their career interests.

Prerequisite: 12 credits in CJ courses; prior Prerequisite: 12 credits in CJ courses; prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor. approval of proposed assignment by instructor.

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CJ 496: Independent Studies (1-18)CJ 496: Independent Studies (1-18) Prerequisite: 12 credits in CJ.Prerequisite: 12 credits in CJ.

CJ 497 Special Topics (1-9)CJ 497 Special Topics (1-9) Prerequisite: CJ 100.Prerequisite: CJ 100.