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Whether you’re looking to start a new career in criminal justice or want to advance in your current role, we see you studying criminal justice at Cedar Crest College.
Women remain underrepresented in criminal justice and employers are continually and actively seeking graduates from schools like Cedar Crest College to join their ranks. While many criminal justice programs focus on what happens after a crime has been committed, our Crime Science flexible curriculum is unique because it is a behavioral-based program.
This program is available through a hybrid format; that means you can choose between a completely online, on-campus evening courses, or combination of formats so you can work on your degree in whichever way fits your busy schedule.
Throughout your journey, you’ll participate in multiple field experiences including a 220-hour experience in your final year, enabling you to apply what you have learned and, often, to secure your future employment. Your studies here will prepare you for a rewarding career in any area of the criminal justice system, from child welfare to corrections to security and beyond.
Coming to Cedar Crest with some previous credits under your belt? We see how hard you worked for your previous credits, so that’s why we’ve developed a generous transfer credit policy. Our transfer counselors will help you make sure you can finish strong.
Our interns and alumnae/i are well-known in the criminal justice community, locally and nationally, for their high ethical standards and behavioral-based knowledge. Our graduates are currently working in mental health referral and evaluation, adult probation, child welfare services and more.
Considering a career in psychology, forensic science, or social work? Adding a major or minor in criminal justice can strengthen your resume and allow you to more deeply understand human behavior.
Program Highlights
- Flexible Program Options: This program is available through a hybrid format; that means you can choose between a completely online, on-campus evening courses, or combination of formats so you can work on your degree around your busy life.
- Generous Transfer Credit Policy: We’ve developed a generous transfer credit policy to help make sure you get the most out of the work you’ve completed at your previous institution. You worked hard for your previous credits, so we’ll make sure your schooling stays on track.
- Experienced faculty: All of our courses are taught by credentialed faculty. Our professors have more than 50 years of experience in the criminal justice field. They have literally seen it all…and they’ve specifically designed new courses that will better prepare you for a career in any area of criminal justice.
- A behavioral-based curriculum: It isn’t enough to deal with crimes that have occurred: Today’s society demands a greater focus on the prevention of crimes. This, too, is the focus of our criminal justice program.
- Valuable field experience: Many of our courses include classroom discussion as well as time spent in the community. You will also have the option to complete one 220-hour field experience that will be chosen specifically to suit your career goals.
- Complementary majors and minors: Many students at Cedar Crest College choose a second major or minor. Fields of study that pair especially well with criminal justice include forensic science, our pre-law program and psychology.
- Women’s leadership opportunities: Our program requires you to do research and present your findings, both of which will enhance your teamwork and leadership skills. The College also offers many extracurricular clubs and organizations that rely on student leaders.
How To Apply
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Elective Packages
The curriculum includes both required courses and three options for “elective packages”: criminal behavior and deviance, juvenile studies, crime mapping, and the ability to self-design an area of study. These packages enable you to delve deeper into one or more aspects of human behavior.
Collaborative Partnership
Building on a national movement to recognize the benefits of data-driven, research-based outcomes related to the practice of policing in our communities, Cedar Crest College, the City of Allentown, Pa., and the Allentown Police Department are entering into a new collaborative partnership.
Tuition Reduction
Tuition for adult undergraduate and BSN programs reduced beginning in the Fall 2024 semester.
Transfer Credits
We offer one of the most generous transfer credit policies in the Lehigh Valley, and our transfer scholarships make the price of your Cedar Crest education even more affordable.
Accreditation
Cedar Crest College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801
Faculty & Staff
Who’s teaching you is as important as the curriculum you choose.
Let’s put a face to some of the names you’ll be seeing on the course listings!
Michael R. Salter
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
- School of Adult and Graduate Education
- sage@cedarcrest.edu
- P: 610-740-3770
- Traditional Admissions
- admissions@cedarcrest.edu
- P: 800-360-1222
- F: 610-740-3780