Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Pursue the study of criminal justice at a university that offers one of the oldest, most distinguished, and finest student-centered programs in the state. This program also happens to be one of the most popular majors at Mansfield University.
In our Criminal Justice Administration Program you will study the development, functions and structures of the criminal justice system, and the roles of law enforcement agencies, the courts, correctional agencies, and private agencies in the prevention and control of crime and delinquency.
You will leave Mansfield prepared for a challenging and rewarding career in criminal justice, law, public policy, juvenile justice, and other related fields.
Criminal Justice at Mansfield University
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
- CJA/Act 120 Pathway Program
- Related Programs
- Student Organizations
- Internships
- Careers in Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
For specific course and program requirements, please consult the current undergraduate catalog.
Our Bachelor of Science degree program includes 30 credit hours of core courses in Criminal Justice Administration. You will also take 21 credit hours of CJA elective courses, which represent different areas of interest such as Criminal Interviewing and Interrogration, Serial Murder, Organized Crime, Contemporary CJ Issues, White Collar Crime, and Terrorism, among other options. Students will also have the opportunity to gain professional experience through internships.
CJA/Act 120 Pathway Program
Only at Mansfield University: You can earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and certification to work as a police officer in Pennsylvania in four years.
Mansfield University, in association with the Mansfield University Public Safety Training Institute, offers the CJA/Act 120 Pathway Program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration along with certification to work as a police officer in Pennsylvania, all within a four-year program.
This is a unique program and Mansfield University is the only state university in Pennsylvania to offer such a plan.
Learn more about Mansfield's CJA/Act 120 Pathway Program.
The CJA department also offers:
- CJA/Act 120 Pathway Program
- A.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
- Minor in Criminal Justice Administration
The university also offers:
- B.S. in Psychology with a Forensic Science Concentration
- Forensic Science Minor - Apply science to the law and learn the legal implications involved in evidence collection and presentation.
- Social Welfare Minor- Study organizations, social policies, and service provision to better understand social welfare systems.
Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society
The Lambda Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma National Honor Society in Criminal Justice was activated at Mansfield University on November 4th, 2009. Alpha Phi Sigma is the only criminal justice honor society for criminal justice majors. It is recognized by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences as the only official criminal justice honor society in the United States. Alpha Phi Sigma is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, and has more than 360 chapters across the country. The U.S. government and specifically the U.S. Department of Justice recognizes membership in Alpha Phi Sigma as meeting one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in Federal Service.
Lambda Alpha Epsilon
Lambda Alpha Epsilon (LAE), the American Criminal Justice Association, is a national professional fraternity for criminal justice students. Mansfield University is one of 258 subordinate chapters nationwide. The chapter was established in the mid - 1970s and has continued to attract students of diverse backgrounds and interests. The organization is open to any student interested in the field of criminal justice.
The fraternity is actively involved in a number of service and professional activities, both on and off campus. For instance, LAE members have participated in multiple inmate mock career fairs at Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary along with crime scene investigation events for local Girl Scout troops. Members have volunteered to assist in local nursing homes and Toys for Tots to package Christmas presents for children, while they have also participated in the annual Bowling for Kids event, a signature fundraising event for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Where can I pursue an internship?
You and your advisor will work together to find an internship placement that is right for you. A criminal justice student has many options to choose from, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Adult or juvenile probation
- District Attorney's office
- Juvenile detention
- Local, state or federal law enforcement
- Prison or jail correctional facilities
- Private security
- Sheriff's office
- Youth services
- The judiciary
- Victim services
- And many, many more!
Careers in Criminal Justice Administration
The criminal justice field is one of the fastest growing in the United States. Criminal justice career opportunities are widespread and include professions that range from correctional officers and law enforcement to attorneys and security personnel. Such opportunities can be found in the private sector, through governmental agencies, and via nonprofit corporations. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the demand for criminal justice professionals will continue to rise over the next decade.
Develop the knowledge and skills you need for careers within a wide variety of criminal justice organizations at the local, state, and federal levels, in both the public and private sector. Some criminal justice career options include:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); Bureau of Alcohol; Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); US Marshall; State and Local Police; Federal, State, and County Judiciary Systems; Private and Industrial Security Agencies; Crime Laboratories; Adult and Juvenile Probation; Parole Officer; Private Security
Connect with the CJA Program
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Learn more about Mansfield University's Criminal Justice Administration Program!
Call 800-577-6826 or request information using the button below. Mansfield University AdmissionsLicensure and Certification Information
While some of Mansfield University's professional degree programs are designed to prepare students to meet Pennsylvania's licensure or certification requirements, these programs are not necessarily compatible with licensure or certification requirements in other states. Students who plan to enroll in Mansfield's degree programs with the intent to pursue licensure or certification in states other than Pennsylvania must be aware of the professional licensure requirements in those states. Current students who are planning to undertake field experiences outside of Pennsylvania should also be aware the requirements of other states. Consistent with federal regulations, Mansfield is making a good faith effort to determine if our academic programs leading to licensure or certification meet the requirements of licensing boards in other states. Doing so requires contacting out-of-state licensing boards and having those boards review Mansfield's program curricula. As information from the out-of-state licensure boards is received, it will be posted on the University Licensure and Certification page.