Criminal Justice
Study the Criminal Justice System
The Criminal Justice program at Elizabethtown College prepares students by offering quality courses, hands-on faculty mentorship, and real-world experiences in policing, courts, corrections, and victim services that will enhance student understanding of the criminal justice system in both college courses and criminal justice careers. These opportunities will create highly respected and educated professionals to succeed in the field of criminal justice or in pursuit of graduate education.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice?
After completing our Criminal Justice degree in Pennsylvania, students will be ready to enter a variety of careers in several industries or explore graduate programs. Our program prepares you for:
- Law Enforcement
- Court System
- Corrections
- Victim Services
- Security
- Government Agencies
- Social Services
- Graduate School
St. Joseph’s University 4+1 Master’s Program
Etown partners with St. Joseph’s University to offer a 4+1 program which allows qualified students to complete core requirements, earn a bachelor's degree at Elizabethtown College and gain automatic acceptance to St. Joseph’s University online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. Students who maintain a 3.0 GPA receive a 10% tuition discount.
Related Minors
The Criminal Justice Minor offers an interdisciplinary perspective, integrating criminology, law, sociology, forensic science, and victim studies. It is ideal for students interested in law enforcement, corrections, legal studies, public policy, or social justice. Through a mix of theoretical and practical coursework, students gain insight into the complexities of crime, justice, and societal responses to criminal behavior.
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Gain real-world experience in forensic specializations, criminal justice, and legal principles with the Forensic Studies minor. Students have the opportunity to take courses in anthropology, biology, chemistry, and computer science. This minor prepares students to work in forensic crime labs at the local, state, and federal levels.
Elizabethtown College’s Municipal Police Officer Training minor, in partnership with the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC), offers students a direct pathway to police certification. Through this program, students complete the Municipal Police Officer Basic Training Program (Act 120) and earn 16 transferable credits. The comprehensive training covers key areas like criminal law, patrol procedures, investigations, and emergency response, preparing students for real-world law enforcement.
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A Unique Focus on Reform and Citizen Release
Elizabethtown College is part of the Lancaster County Re-entry Coalition as a partner among nearly forty government and non-profit agencies that focus on the needs of returning citizens (those leaving prison to re-enter their communities). These agencies address issues of housing, employment, legal aid, addictions, family needs, faith and spirituality, health, and more. This unique partnership has created a network of resources for our students and has given them access to internships, research opportunities, and prospective employers.
Diverse Criminal Justice Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on courses in Sociology, Political Science, and Social Work, in addition to their Criminal Justice courses. The unique focus of the major on criminal justice reform is consistent with the College’s historic values of justice and peacemaking. In addition, students who major in Criminal Justice will enroll in a two-semester research sequence that prepares them to evaluate data, write reports, document primary sources, and prepare presentations for employers, public audiences, and graduate programs.
Gain experience through Internships
Our Criminal Justice curriculum requires students to complete at least one internship within the field. Internships encourage students to explore specific career interests, network with professionals and build their resumes. Internships also give students the opportunity to see how their coursework applies to real-world situations.
Additional Minors
Students in Criminal Justice often choose to pursue minors like Biology and Chemistry—or explore additional fields like Business Administration, Communications, Computer Science, Human Services, Political Science, Public Health, Psychology, or Spanish.
For those outside the major we offer a minor in Criminal Justice.