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Criminal Justice Degree Program
Earn your specialized associate degree in criminal justice at our State College, Pennsylvania, campus
Our Criminal Justice Program At-a-Glance
- Earn your specialized degree in just 2 years
- Accredited by ACCSC
- Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools
What You Need to Know About Our Criminal Justice ASB Degree
The modern criminal justice system is complex and rapidly growing, and all those who work within it have to balance all of the different sociological, psychological, political and economic factors affecting us today. It’s a challenging career field, one that encompasses everything from criminal law and behavior to ethics and criminology to law enforcement and corrections. With the Associate of Specialized Business Degree in Criminal Justice from South Hills School of Business & Technology, you can gain the foundational knowledge you need to step into a number of different roles in the criminal justice system. Additionally, this program fulfills the education requirement for the Pennsylvania Police Academy officer training program.
At South Hills, our comprehensive training utilizes experiential learning through field visits and certification trainings, uniting theory, practice, and application all in one program. Our experienced instructors cover topics like:
- Evaluating the nature, extent, causation, and prevention of crime, including how to apply and critique the major theories relevant to those causes
- Applying an understanding of the constitutional concepts of due process, equal protection, and fundamental fairness in policing, courts, and corrections to case study scenarios
- Assessing and applying Pennsylvania law — which includes the PA Crimes Code and the PA Rules of Criminal Procedures — to criminal cases
- Processing crime scenes by utilizing various investigative techniques
- Understanding victimology, rehabilitation theories and practices, and inherent human rights issues in modern criminal justice
- Applying crime scene investigation skills, PA Crimes Code, legal issues and courtroom processes, sentencing, and probation/parole to mock crime scenarios
Part of our program includes a capstone project, as well as a 12-week internship with one of our partner employers, so you’ll have the opportunity to put what you’ve learned to work. Previous internship locations have included:
- Centre County Correctional Facility
- Centre County Sheriff's Office
- Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office
- Clinton County Correctional Facility
- Huntingdon County Emergency Management Agency
- Lewistown Borough Police Department
- State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale
- State Correctional Institution at Rockview
- State College Police Department
- Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police
- Trough Creek Forestry Camp
Why You Should Choose South Hills
South Hills School of Business & Technology has been in the business of helping our students gain the specialized career skills they need for over 50 years. We know that we can help you, too, as you prepare for your future career. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Important internship and networking opportunities — Every specialized degree program we offer at South Hills includes a 12-week internship component, which gives you not only hands-on experience, but also a chance to network and connect with our partner organizations.
- Small class sizes — It’s important to us that each of our students feels seen, both in what they need out of their education and what their goals are. It’s why we keep our class sizes small, so you can build a personal relationship with your teachers.
- Experienced instructors and mentors — Our instructors are also experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful in the job market. Criminal justice classes are taught by real-world professionals who incorporate their experience into the curriculum.
- Convenient campus location — We’ve been providing specialized skills training in Pennsylvania since 1970 at our campus location in State College.
- Career Services — South Hills is an education community, there for you from the day you enroll to graduation and for years afterward. We have a dedicated Career Services team to help ready you for finding and securing a job.
- Financial aid and scholarships — Finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills offers a number of ways to help pay for your program for those who qualify. Grants, loans, and special funding for veterans are just some of the possibilities we can explore with you, and our Financial Aid team is available to help you navigate these options.
Complete Course List
Criminal Justice Course List
Criminal Justice Course List for 2020-21
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | GE183 | Business English I | 4 | 60 |
| CJ123 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 5 | 60 | |
| CJ125 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 4.5 | 48 | |
| GE181 | Introduction to Statistics for CJ | 3 | 36 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2 | 24 | |
| CJ128 | Sociology for CJ | 4 | 48 | |
| Totals: | 22.5 | 276 | ||
| Second Term | LE118 | American Constitutional Law | 4.5 | 48 |
| GE180 | Applied Psychology | 3 | 36 | |
| GE184 | Business English II | 4 | 60 | |
| CD104 | Career Development I | 2 | 24 | |
| CJ122 | Introduction to Corrections | 5 | 60 | |
| CP283 | Microsoft Office | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 22.5 | 288 | ||
| Third Term | CJ237 | Criminal Investigations | 4.5 | 60 |
| CJ227 | Criminology | 5 | 60 | |
| CJ124 | Introduction to Criminal Law | 5 | 60 | |
| CJ126 | Introduction to Victimology | 4.5 | 60 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2 | 24 | |
| CJ232 | Terrorism & Homeland Security | 3 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 24 | 300 | ||
| Fourth Term | CJ129 | PA Crimes Code | 3 | 36 |
| CJ224 | Criminal Evidence | 3 | 36 | |
| CJ226 | Criminal Procedures | 5 | 60 | |
| CJ238 | Forensic Science | 4.5 | 60 | |
| CJ127 | Rehabilitation of the Offender | 3 | 36 | |
| GE182 | Writing for CJ | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 23 | 288 | ||
| Fifth Term | CD105 | Career Development II | 2 | 24 |
| CJ233 | Criminal Justice Capstone Project | 4 | 60 | |
| CJ234 | Criminal Procedures II | 3 | 36 | |
| CJ228 | Drugs, Crime and Criminal Justice | 3 | 36 | |
| CJ229 | Emergency Procedures | 2 | 24 | |
| CJ239 | Private Security | 2 | 24 | |
| CJ121 | Human Rights Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 | 36 | |
| CJ230 | Juvenile Delinquency | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 23.5 | 300 | ||
| Sixth Term | CD106 | Career Preparation | 0.5 | 10 |
| CJ236 | Criminal Justice Internship | 11 | 330 | |
| CJ235 | Specialized Certifications for CJ | 2.5 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 14 | 376 | ||
| CJ PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | CJ PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 129.5 Credits | 1,828 Clock Hours |
Careers in Criminal Justice
With two years of hands-on training and strong skillsets, our Criminal Justice graduates are prepared for a variety of career options, including:
- Local Law Enforcement Officer
- Corrections Officer
- Juvenile Justice Center Official
- Loss Prevention Specialist
- Private Security Guard
- Sheriff’s Deputy
- State Law Enforcement Officer
- Victim Advocate
Each student completes a summer-long internship before graduation, providing real world experience. We have placed interns at locations including:
- Centre County Correctional Facility
- Centre County Sherrif’s Office
- Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office
- Clinton County Correctional Facility
- Huntingdon County Emergency Management Agency
- Lewistown Borough Police Department
- State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale
- State Correctional Institution at Rockview
- State College Police Department
- Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police
- Trough Creek Forestry Camp
South Hills Criminal Justice graduates are well-trained and in demand for their knowledge and work ethics. Some of the many locations employing our graduates include:
- Abuse Network
- Centre County Sheriff’s Office
- Centre County Correctional Facility
- Central Counties Youth Center
- Centre County Youth Service Bureau/Stormbreak
- Clearfield County Prison
- Clinton County Correctional Facility
- Elk County Prison
- Pennsylvania State Police
- State Correctional Institution at Rockview
Meet the Faculty
Jennifer Stover
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Jennifer's Biography
Jennifer Stover has been a Criminal Justice instructor since 2008 and currently serves as the Coordinator of the Criminal Justice program. She is an advisor to the second-year Criminal Justice students and is the advisor for the Community Outreach & Public Service (C.O.P.S.) Club at South Hills. Jennifer is certified as an instructor in Practical and Tactical Handcuffing (PATH) and Oleo Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT).
Jennifer is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She began her employment in the criminal justice field working with the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Lycoming County Drug Task Force before becoming an Investigator for the Inspector General’s Office. During her years of employment, Jennifer loved the criminal justice field which led her to decide to share her passion through teaching. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Education before joining the South Hills team.
Jennifer Stover has been a Criminal Justice instructor since 2008 and currently serves as the Coordinator of the Criminal Justice program. She is an advisor to the second-year Criminal Justice students and is the advisor for the Community Outreach & Public Service (C.O.P.S.) Club at South Hills. Jennifer is certified as an instructor in Practical and Tactical Handcuffing (PATH) and Oleo Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT).
Jennifer is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She began her employment in the criminal justice field working with the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Lycoming County Drug Task Force before becoming an Investigator for the Inspector General’s Office. During her years of employment, Jennifer loved the criminal justice field which led her to decide to share her passion through teaching. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Education before joining the South Hills team.
John McCullough
Adjunct Instructor
State College Main Campus
John's Biography
John McCullough has been an instructor in the Criminal Justice program since 2008. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ursinus College and a Master’s degree in Social Service from Bryn Mawr College School of Social Work.
He has worked in two federal and four state prisons in the following positions: Social Worker, Director of a drug program, Director of Treatment, Deputy Superintendent (Camp Hill and Rockview), Superintendent (Houtzdale), Supervising Superintendent (Houtzdale, Huntingdon, Smithfield, and Cresson), and Deputy Secretary for the Western Region of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. He also taught part-time at Penn State in the Administration of Justice program.
John McCullough has been an instructor in the Criminal Justice program since 2008. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ursinus College and a Master’s degree in Social Service from Bryn Mawr College School of Social Work.
He has worked in two federal and four state prisons in the following positions: Social Worker, Director of a drug program, Director of Treatment, Deputy Superintendent (Camp Hill and Rockview), Superintendent (Houtzdale), Supervising Superintendent (Houtzdale, Huntingdon, Smithfield, and Cresson), and Deputy Secretary for the Western Region of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. He also taught part-time at Penn State in the Administration of Justice program.
Greg Brauser
Adjunct Instructor
State College Main Campus
Greg's Biography
Greg Brauser earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. He also completed the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
He has over 25 years of law enforcement experience, having started his career in the early 1990s. He has been employed by the State College Police Department since 1998. He worked patrol for many years and was promoted to Sergeant in November 2006 and to Lieutenant in January 2013. From 2013 to 2017, his primary assignment was the night shift officer-in-charge. His current assignment is heading the Community Relations / Professional Standards division with duties including direct management of community/media relations, school resource officers, employee evaluations, and insurance that officers adhere to the high-performance standards of SCPD, which is accredited through the PA Chiefs of Police.
Greg Brauser earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. He also completed the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
He has over 25 years of law enforcement experience, having started his career in the early 1990s. He has been employed by the State College Police Department since 1998. He worked patrol for many years and was promoted to Sergeant in November 2006 and to Lieutenant in January 2013. From 2013 to 2017, his primary assignment was the night shift officer-in-charge. His current assignment is heading the Community Relations / Professional Standards division with duties including direct management of community/media relations, school resource officers, employee evaluations, and insurance that officers adhere to the high-performance standards of SCPD, which is accredited through the PA Chiefs of Police.
Program Advisory Committee
State College Main Campus
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Tina Baronio | Loss Prevention Supervisor | Kohls Department Store |
| Josh Brown | Corrections Officer | SCI Rockview |
| Dana Droll | Assistant Administrator | Central Counties Youth Center |
| Catie Harpster | Centre House Case Manager | Housing Transitions |
| Adam Salyards | Community Relations & Crime Prevention Specialist | State College Police Department |
| Brandon Wheeler | Corrections Officer | SCI Benner |
| Joseph Yedlosky | Corrections Officer | Centre County Correctional Facility |
