The Criminal Justice Program at Drexel University

The Criminal Justice Program, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, is offered through Drexel's College of Arts and Sciences and is housed in the Department of Culture and Communication. Criminal justice draws on the strengths of a range of many programs; from philosophy and legal studies to sociology, psychology, legal studies, political science, information science, chemistry, bioscience and biotechnology, and computer science.  This degree is for students who want to prepare for 21st-Century careers in criminal justice, private security, or the legal profession or who are interested in graduate study in criminal justice or associated disciplines, including forensic science, and computer science. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice can be completed in four years, with an option to complete two internship assignments during that time.

The Bachelor of Science Program in Criminal Justice

At Drexel, the Criminal Justice program goes beyond the narrow "police science" focus of many programs, offering a rigorous academic foundation supplemented by specialized coursework that prepares students for a wide range of professional positions or for graduate study.

Students gain a strong background in criminology, the study of crime and criminal behavior, as well as an understanding of the history, structure, administration, policies, and procedures of the agencies of crime control and criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections, and the judiciary. Students may choose to pursue specialized concentrations in computer crime and forensic science.  

Students synthesize classroom learning with direct experience from internships in the criminal justice agencies.  The practical application of skills to the solution of problems in the criminal justice field is emphasized. Finally, computer-based skills, technological expertise, and biochemical/biotechnological knowledge are increasingly important to the operation of the agencies of the modern criminal justice system. Drexel's leadership in these areas gives graduates a distinct advantage when seeking positions in the criminal justice system.

To request more information on Drexel's Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice contact Dr. Julia Hall at hall@drexel.edu or by phone at (215) 895-2472.

Students wishing to sign up for the Criminal Justice major should contact Mark Costello in the College of Arts & Sciences Office at costelmr@drexel.edu or by phone at (215) 895-2590.

Applications to Drexel University can be completed online through the Admission Office.

The Minor in Criminal Justice

A minor in criminal justice is valuable to students who want to work in the criminal justice field but have academic interests outside the discipline.  The following are some examples of career opportunities where a minor in criminal justice would be beneficial.

• Students who major in computer science, information systems, or information technology and minor in criminal justice can pursue career opportunities in the public and private sectors in computer forensics and information security.
• Students who major in chemistry or bioscience and minor in criminal justice can pursue a career as a crime scene investigator with a law enforcement agency or as a technician in a public or private forensics lab.
• Students who major in communications and minor in criminal justice can pursue a career in court reporting, criminal justice journalism, and screenwriting.
• Students who major in political science and minor in criminal justice can pursue a career in legislative support, public policy, politics, and public affairs.
• Students who major in psychology and minor in criminal justice can pursue a career in correctional treatment, counseling, criminal profiling, and forensic psychology.
• Students who major in sociology and minor in criminal justice can pursue a career in research, programming for a public or private sector criminal justice agency, and scientific jury selection.

Students wishing to pursue a minor in Criminal Justice should contact Dr. Alexander Friedlander at alexander.cecil.friedlander@drexel.edu or by phone at (215) 895-1819.