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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, Cedar Crest College’s Crime Science curriculum is unique because it is a behavioral-based program.
Throughout your journey, we see you participating in multiple field experiences including a 220-hour senior experience, 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.
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
- 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.
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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 and community 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.
How To Apply
Ready to apply as an undergraduate student?
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