Save in excess of $10,000 and start your career early by enrolling in CHC’s three-year bachelor of criminal justice. Complete all the same courses as the four-year degree but in a shorter time, utilizing winter and summer sessions. To learn more, contact Lauren Barrow (barrowl@chc.edu)
Criminal justice is a career-oriented liberal arts major focusing on the dynamic intersection of theory, policy, and practice. The program seeks to explore and explain motivations for criminal and delinquent behavior, the systemic relationship of law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections, and the critical real-world challenges of administering justice in the United States, and the world.
At Chestnut Hill College, criminal justice is not just a cop-training program. Our program invites students to think about the gap between theory and practice (enhanced by the experiential and service-learning opportunities); to engage in critical analysis of media and public opinions; to embrace and uphold the ethical principles of a justice career; and, to promote social justice initiatives and restorative practices as a future means of conflict resolution.
Courses support program goals by introducing students to justice philosophy, by analyzing contemporary implementation of justice practices informed by social policy, and, by exploring real-world applications of restorative and social justice practice. The faculty bring years of experience, knowledge, and expertise into the classroom while mentoring students into their chosen career.
Through its placement within the Center for Education, Advocacy & Social Justice, alongside the Law & Legal Studies and Human Services programs, criminal justice majors have the unique opportunity to expand their career options into related fields such as juvenile justice, probation & parole, or child welfare among many other choices.
Internships:
Experiential learning is a vital component of the criminal justice curriculum at Chestnut Hill College. With support from the Center, students are mentored by a professional internship director to identify a placement, apply for an internship, and work on-site completing tasks consistent with that position. Additional professional preparation support is provided through a corresponding class (CRJU 403) that students are required to take, which teaches them about navigating “life after college,” from initial salary/raise negotiations to personal financial awareness and management, to organizational structure and leadership.
We are proud that CHC students have held internships in a variety of fields, including but not limited to:
Criminal justice majors are exposed to a variety of major specific activities, honor societies and programs while at the College. These include:
Field Trips:
Criminal justice majors are routinely exposed to field experiences as a common element of the curriculum. Students are exposed to courtrooms, prisons and key criminal justice professionals, to show them firsthand what a career in the field might entail. These experiences occur throughout their academic experiences at CHC and include locations such as: The US Constitution Center, Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility, SCI Chester, SCI Phoenix, the Philadelphia Defenders Association, the offices of the Philadelphia District Attorney, The Philadelphia Police Academy, etc.
Restorative Justice Seminar:
Criminal justice majors are required to participate in the Restorative Justice Seminar, which is truly a unique classroom experience. The class is limited to 15 students and the semester is structured around participation in a Peacemaking Circle, a core component of the restorative justice process. It is a very hands-on learning experience for all students enrolled.
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program:
CHC students may qualify to take an experiential course called “Inside-Out Prison Exchange.” The program allows students to meet once a week inside of a local state prison where half the class is made up of CHC peers and the other half, prisoners on the inside. Students have credited this course with broadening their understanding of individuals and their choices, as well as leading them to a critical analysis of commonly held stereotypes. It truly is a life-changing experience for all who participate.
