Criminal Justice Degree Online

Simpson has one of the premier criminal justice programs in the Midwest. Students are offered excellent academic preparation for employment in the criminal justice system. Students can select an academic concentration within the major including justice, administration or corrections. Simpson’s program blends the theoretical and applied aspects of the criminal justice system and is strengthened by educational internships and field experience programs. This program enables students to pursue various career paths including graduate or law school, law enforcement, probation and parole and social work.

Students do various types of research on campus and work with local criminal justice agencies.

Simpson students scored in the 99th percentile in the Educational Testing Service criminal justice exam comparing colleges and universities from across the country.

Recent guest lecturers have covered topics ranging from criminal profiling to school shootings.

Students have plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience from “ride alongs” with the local police department to interning with state, federal and international agencies.

Recent graduate schools: University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Pepperdine University, University of Michigan, Nebraska University and Xavier University

Recent jobs and internships
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, FBI, Iowa State Patrol, U.S. Marshalls, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa Correctional Institute for Men, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Border Patrol, Secret Service and U.S. Probation and Parole Service

“My Simpson education provided me with a solid foundation and understanding of the system. This enabled me to navigate through the U.S. Army Police Commissioned Officer Schools, as well as the U.S. Treasury Criminal Investigators School and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Academy.”

CAREERS IN
LAW ENFORCEMENT

Federal Law Enforcement

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Inspector
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Special Agent
Customs Aide
Customs Canine Enforcement Officer
Customs Import Specialist
Customs Inspector
Customs Patrol Officer
Customs Pilot
Customs Special Agent
Deputy U.S. Marshal
Drug Enforcement Special Agent
Environmental Conservation Officer
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Special Agent
Federal Investigations Investigator
Federal Protective Service Officer/Criminal Investigator
Fish and Wildlife Service, Special Agent
Immigration and Naturalization Service, Border Patrol Agent
Immigration and Naturalization Criminal Investigator
Immigration and Naturalization Deportation Officer
Immigration and Naturalization Inspector
Inspector General Investigator
Internal Revenue Criminal Investigator
Internal Revenue Internal Security Inspector
Naval Investigative Service/Criminal Investigator
Park Police (United States)
Postal Service Inspector
Secret Service Agent
Secret Service Uniformed Officer

State and Municipal
Law Enforcement

Deputy Sheriff
Investigator (State County, Municipal)
State Police Officer/State Trooper
Police Officer (Municipal)

CAREERS IN CORRECTIONS

Correctional Treatment Specialist (Federal Prison)
Corrections Counselor
Corrections Officer
Juvenile Justice Counselor
Parole Officer
Pre-Release Program Correctional Counselor
Pre-Release Program Employment Counselor
Pre-Release Program Halfway House Manager
Probation Officer
Juvenile Probation Officer
Warden
Other Related Corrections Occupations
Clinical Psychologist
Vocational Counselor
Recreational Counselor
Academic Teacher
Caseworker/HIV Specialist
Education Counselor
Substance Abuse Specialist
Classification and Treatment Director
Management Coordinator
Inmate Records Coordinator
Correctional Facilities Specialist
Facilities Specialist
Prisoner-Classification Interviewer
Penologist

CAREERS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE/CRIMINALISTICSCriminalistics
Ballistics Specialist
Toolmark Specialist
Serology Specialist
Fingerprint Specialist
Arson Specialist
Document Specialist
Polygraph Specialist The Crime Laboratories
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. Customs Service
Drug Enforcement Administration

CAREERS IN PRIVATE SECURITY

Diverse Employment Opportunities
Retail Security
Commercial Security
Institutional Security
Industrial Security

Job Responsibilities
Administrator/Manager
Investigator
Technician
Protective Specialist

Simpson has one of the premier criminal justice programs in the Midwest. Students are offered excellent academic preparation for employment in the criminal justice system. Students can select an academic concentration within the major including justice, administration or corrections. Simpson’s program blends the theoretical and applied aspects of the criminal justice system and is strengthened by educational internships and field experience programs. This program enables students to pursue various career paths including graduate or law school, law enforcement, probation and parole and social work.

Students do various types of research on campus and work with local criminal justice agencies.

Simpson students scored in the 99th percentile in the Educational Testing Service criminal justice exam comparing colleges and universities from across the country.

Recent guest lecturers have covered topics ranging from criminal profiling to school shootings.

Students have plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience from “ride alongs” with the local police department to interning with state, federal and international agencies.

Recent graduate schools: University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Pepperdine University, University of Michigan, Nebraska University and Xavier University

Recent jobs and internships
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, FBI, Iowa State Patrol, U.S. Marshalls, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa Correctional Institute for Men, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Border Patrol, Secret Service and U.S. Probation and Parole Service

“My Simpson education provided me with a solid foundation and understanding of the system. This enabled me to navigate through the U.S. Army Police Commissioned Officer Schools, as well as the U.S. Treasury Criminal Investigators School and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Academy.”

Carlton Tarver—Class of 1983
Special Investigator, U.S. Department of State

Learn more about the Social Sciences Department.

Leadership positions in criminal justice agencies and private corporations offer interesting, challenging and exciting careers accompanied by high salaries.

Job Resource Center
Please find a comprehensive list of job and internship opportunities in the fields of criminal justice and legal studies provided to our students.

If your goal is to do police work, investigative work, national or private security, or forensics in one of the following organizations, this program is for you:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
U.S. State Department
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF)
Inspector General’s Offices (IG)
Attorney General’s Offices (AG)
Prisons
Probation & Parole
Victim’s Office
Prosecutor’s Office
City or State Juvenile Justice Office
City or State Courts
Police
Sheriff’s Office
Counter-Terrorism

Program Narrative
Northampton’s Criminal Justice program offers you a wealth of opportunities. Whether you want to enter the workforce after two years of study, transfer to a four-year program, or enhance your education as a professional already employed in this field, NCC’s program is for you.
Courses taught by experts in the field will supply you with a “hands-on” education within a classroom setting. You will obtain an overall understanding of the criminal justice system, be adept with the language and culture of the criminal justice profession and thus, live up to professional expectations.
Program Features
The program serves three types of students: those seeking entry-level employment in public service or with a private agency, those already employed in the system who desire further education in order to qualify for professional advancement, and those who intend to pursue baccalaureate studies in criminal justice, criminology or related disciplines at four-year institutions.
This program is specifically focused to help you gain employment in police departments, prisons, or community correction and treatment centers. It can also prepare you for work in other agencies such as local or state police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Treasury Department, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Bureau. If you are interested in working for a specific agency, you should contact the agency early in your academic program to determine the specific job requirements
you will need. Professionals in Northampton’s Career Services and counseling offices, as well as instructors within the program, can assist you in meeting your career goals.
If you intend to obtain a bachelor’s degree with specialization
in the field, you may want to consider the College’s articulation agreements and dual admissions programs with DeSales University, Moravian College or Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Law Enforcement. Full transfer may be possible to other colleges and universities offering baccalaureate
degrees in the field.
The program can be completed in four semesters as a full-time student taking 15-16 credits per semester. The majority of courses are offered in the day, but three required courses are evening only. Courses are offered in the fall and spring only.

PROGRAM GOAL: Criminology and criminal justice encompass the scientific study of crime, criminals, the lawmaking process, the criminal justice system, and the treatment of offenders. Completion of the program leads to an Associate of Arts degree, which constitutes the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree (a four-year degree). Students may complete the remaining two years of the four-year degree in criminology at Florida State University’s Panama City campus or at several of Florida’s major universities. The purpose of this program is to prepare students to continue their educational pursuits which lead to careers in federal law enforcement (FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshal’s Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Immigration & Naturalization Service; Internal Revenue Service; U. S. Postal Service and the Central Intelligence Agency), as well as careers as prosecuting or defense attorneys, judges, court administrators, probation/parole officers, juvenile court case workers, criminal analysts, and criminal research scientists.

For more information about this program visit the Public Safety Website!GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES CH
General Core 15
Additional Core:
+* MGF 1106 Math for Liberal Arts I 3
+* MGF 1107 Math for Liberal Arts II 3
or
+ STA 2023 Statistics
Biology 3
Physical Science 3
Humanities I 3
Humanities II 3
( Recommend Ethics PHI 2600)
Humanities III 3

ELECTIVES 24
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

CCJ 1010 Introduction to Criminology 3
CCJ 1020 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJL 2100 Criminal Law 3
CJC 2162 Probation & Parole 3
CCJ 2500 Juvenile Justice 3
PLA 2308 Criminal Procedure 3
CJL 2130 Evidence 3
PLA 2190 Legal Reasoning 3
+ PLA 1104 Legal Writing and Research I 3
PLA 1203 Civil Practice and Procedure I 3
+ MAT 1033 Intermediate Algebra 3
PGY 2801C Photography I 3
+ SYG 2000 Sociology or PSY 2012 Psychology 3
+ BSC 2085 Anatomy and Physiology 3
or
+ BSC 1005 Biology
CGS 1570 Microcomputer Applications 3
+ SPN 1120 First Year Spanish I 4
+ SPN 1121 First Year Spanish II 4
+ SPC 1600 Speech 3

TOTAL DEGREE HOURS 60

NOTE: The speech requirement, SPC 1600, at the university level is a university graduating requirement, not a university entrance requirement.