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Criminal Justice
Two-Year Associate in Specialized Business (ASB) Degree Program
Available at the State College Main Campus
Available at the State College Main Campus
The Criminal Justice program at South Hills will launch you on a career in the field of justice—from law enforcement to corrections to advocacy. The program is designed to be very hands-on, combining theory with practice and application. The CJ program provides students with an understanding of the criminal justice system and the socio-economic factors that impact the field. As a South Hills Criminal Justice student, you will learn investigative techniques, basic security skills, and the criminal legal process/procedures for the Pennsylvania court system, as well as the basics of criminal and family law. Students even receive training to earn Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT - pepper spray) and Practical and Tactical Handcuffing (PATH) certifications.
Our Criminal Justice graduates are working in careers as local and state Law Enforcement Officers and Deputies, Juvenile Justice Center Professionals, Corrections Officers, Private Security Guards, Loss Prevention Managers, and Victim Advocates.
Successful students in this program will be ethical, hard working, willing and eager to learn, and believe in the criminal justice system and the law.
CJ Program, Student, & Alumni News
South Hills School Of Business & Technology Holds Spring Commencement Ceremony
June 26, 2019
South Hills School of Business & Technology held its 49th annual commencement ceremony for the graduating class of June 2019 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
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South Hills Relies on Local Employers for Help to Prepare Its Students for the Workforce
May 22, 2019
As part of the effort to keep the curriculum current, each Specialized Associate Degree program at South Hills School of Business & Technology's three campuses has a Program Advisory Committee comprised of local industry professionals. This diverse group of employers, internship site supervisors, and South Hills alumni get together twice yearly to provide feedback and ideas for improvement to the program's learning resources, equipment, facilities, and objectives.
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South Hills Students Observe Denim Day
April 26, 2019
C.O.P.S. (Community Outreach and Public Service) Club members at South Hills School of Business & Technology handed out information to fellow students and raised money for a local women's shelter on Denim Day as part of efforts to educate the South Hills student body during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
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South Hills Students Donate to Local Community
February 15, 2019
The C.O.P.S. Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology's Altoona Campus recently held a fundraiser to help Family Services Inc. as they raise funds for a proposed new homeless shelter in Blair County.
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South Hills Utilizes Local Experts to Prepare Students for the Workplace
November 20, 2018
To keep the curriculums for its 11 specialized associate degree programs current and relevant to the community's workforce needs, South Hills School of Business & Technology relies on input from Program Advisory Committees that are comprised of local employers, internship site supervisors, and South Hills alumni.
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Behind The Scenes: SCPD Crime Lab Visit
June 15, 2018
First-year Criminal Justice students at South Hills School of Business & Technology's State College Main Campus recently received a unique hands-on learning experience courtesy of Detective John Aston of the State College Police Department.
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Two Sides of a South Hills Success Story: The Brown Family
October 19, 2017
Football was Josh Brown's life until an injury during spring drills ended his chance to play college football. He and his parents, Jeff & Cathy Brown, talk about how South Hills helped him find a new path and how he's thriving now in a career he loves.
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C.O.P.S. Club Makes Hearts for Homeless Donation
December 23, 2016
Members of the Community Outreach and Public Service Club (C.O.P.S.) at the South Hills main campus provided winter donations to Hearts for Homeless in downtown State College.
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Annual “Brown Bag Speaker Series” Kicks Off With YSB Program Director
October 5, 2016
Theresa Kieffer, Senior Program Director with the Youth Service Bureau of Centre County, recently spoke to Criminal Justice students about careers in her field.
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C.O.P.S. Club Sell Pinwheels for Prevention
April 26, 2016
Members of the C.O.P.S. Club organized the fundraiser in observation of National Child Abuse Prevention month.
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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
- Payton and Associates
- Pennsylvania State Police
- State Correctional Institution at Rockview
- St. Moritz Security Services
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.
Sarah Stoltz
Adjunct Instructor
State College Main Campus
Sarah's Biography
Sarah Stoltz has been an instructor at the South Hills State College campus since 2011. She teaches legal courses in the Criminal Justice and Business Administration programs, as well as English courses in various programs.
Sarah graduated magna cum laude from Mount Aloysius College in 2005. She then earned her Juris Doctor in 2009 from Penn State, The Dickinson School of Law.
Before joining South Hills, Sarah served as a law clerk to the Honorable Pamela A. Ruest at the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. In addition to teaching, Sarah continues to practice law as a part-time Student Legal Services attorney at Penn State.
Sarah graduated magna cum laude from Mount Aloysius College in 2005. She then earned her Juris Doctor in 2009 from Penn State, The Dickinson School of Law.
Before joining South Hills, Sarah served as a law clerk to the Honorable Pamela A. Ruest at the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. In addition to teaching, Sarah continues to practice law as a part-time Student Legal Services attorney at Penn State.
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 |
