Criminal Justice

Program Director: Ray Nickson, Ph.D.

Overview

The criminal justice major is an interdisciplinary program designed to equip students to become competent members in the field of criminal justice with emphasis on restorative justice perspectives. More specifically, the criminology program prepares students for professional careers in public safety, crime prevention, corrections and rehabilitation. The program is diversified and integrated, reflecting the diversity of opportunities in the field and is intentional about preparing students to pursue a value-based career through an understanding of historical and contemporary perspectives informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared for beginning professional work, for graduate studies and to reflect the values expressed in the Fresno Pacific Idea.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Outline and explain the core ingredients of the American legal and criminal justice systems, and the history and political system, which influence them.
2. Identify, critically analyze and explain key theoretical constructs and the ways these have influenced American society's policy/approach to addressing crime, criminology and justice.
3. Identify and analyze the cultural contexts within which crime and justice exist and the value of cultural competence for criminal justice practitioners.
4. Differentiate the varied forms of conflict resolution and understandings of justice.
5. Be able to analyze information and communicate ideas effectively in both written and oral form.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno