Criminology and Criminal Justice

Wilson Hall, Room 200
Phone: 724-357-2720
Website: www.iup.edu/criminology
John Lewis, Chair

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers students seeking careers in criminology or criminal justice a broad liberal arts education that encourages them to think critically about crime and justice issues and prepares them for careers in the criminal justice system. The degree programs offered are the bachelor of arts program in criminology and the bachelor of arts program in criminology/pre-law. Additionally, students may minor in criminology. Through the School of Graduate Studies and Research, the department also offers graduate work at both the master’s and doctoral levels.

The program in criminology and criminal justice has a fivefold objective:

The education of students for employment and leadership in the expanding field of criminology and criminal justice
The education of presently employed criminal justice personnel who recognize a need for furthering their education
The instruction of students who wish to acquire an understanding of the processes of criminal justice as a cultural part of their higher education
The instruction of students who wish to prepare for graduate study and/ or research in criminology
A curriculum that provides an excellent foundation for students preparing for a career in law

Nearly every level of government offers opportunities for professional careers in criminology and criminal justice. For example, employment opportunities normally exist in more than 50 federal agencies (e.g., Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Department of Treasury, Federal Bureau of Prisons). Graduates also will find employment in local and state organizations including law enforcement (e.g., Pennsylvania State Police, various municipal police departments) and correctional agencies (e.g., probation, parole, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections). Additionally, there are a wide variety of opportunities in the expanding fields of private, commercial, and industrial security, including cybersecurity. Furthermore, many governmental agencies have specialized units dealing with juveniles, community relations, training, education, and research. Career opportunities also are available in research and teaching at the college level and in research divisions of various agencies.

Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC)

The CJTC provides high-quality education and training programs for the continuing professionalism of the criminal justice system. The CJTC is one of only 17 schools in the commonwealth certified to offer Act 120 training, an 924-hour program that qualifies graduates to be municipal police officers. The police academy is located at the Indiana campus at IUP and various satellite locations. The center also offers programs for in-service personnel in fulfillment of annual mandatory continuing education requirements and nonmandatory courses such as Basic and Advanced Accident Investigation, Perceptual Driving, and Instructor Development. Lethal Weapons Training, Act 235, provides the basic requirements and mandatory recertification for armed security personnel. Visit the website www.iup.edu/crimjustice/ for more information.

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice will accept the Pennsylvania Act 120 Graduation Certificate from any Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) approved academy or the graduation certificate from the Pennsylvania State Police Training Academy for fifteen hours of academic credit towards criminology free electives for students enrolled in IUP’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

CRIM 1XX Laws and Procedures (3c-0l-3cr)

CRIM 1XX Patrol Procedures and Investigations (3c-0l-3cr)

CRIM 1XX Cultural Diversity and Human Relations (3c-0l-3cr)

CRIM 1XX Crisis Management and Families in Crisis (3c-0l-3cr)

CRIM 1XX Physical and Emotional Readiness (3c-0l-3cr)

To receive transfer of these academic credits, the student must present the official PA Act 120 Graduation Certificate from the appropriate MPOETC approved academy or the official graduation diploma from the Pennsylvania State Police Training Academy to the Office of Admissions-Transfer Services. Application of these credits for graduation requirements other than by IUP’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice must be approved by the individual department.