IUPUC Gets Approval for B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice

by Jay Lesandrini
September 21, 2018
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Indiana Commission for Higher Education Approves Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at IUPUC

Columbus, IN (Sept. 20, 2018) – IUPUC announced today that the Indiana Commission for Higher Education has approved its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree, and this academic year will produce the first graduates of the program.

“We now have the ability to provide the entire Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice to students who started their studies in Columbus, but historically have had to complete the degree in Indianapolis,” said Dr. Scott Desmond, Criminal Justice Program Coordinator at IUPUC. “In addition, students completing an associate degree in Criminal Justice at Ivy Tech can seamlessly transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree at IUPUC,” Desmond added.

The degree program offers a mix of online and evening classroom courses and expects to have at least 50 percent of classes available online in the coming years. Students in the Criminal Justice program study, research, and explore societal needs related to law enforcement, the judicial system, corrections and national security. The degree prepares students for a career in local, state and federal law enforcement as well as corrections, law, and social services.

In addition to coursework, students interested in a career in law enforcement can apply to the IUPUC Cadet Program established in 2015 by the Indiana University Police Department, and run locally by Captain Bryant Lucas, IUPUC Director of Public Safety. Cadets spend their first year working as campus security, then attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bloomington for 16 weeks of training that enables them to be sworn in as officers.

“Not only is security being provided to the campus population through the cadet program, but it has also proven to be a valuable resource for the students interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement,” said Captain Lucas. “In fact, two of our graduates are now working for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s department.”

Dr. George Towers, Head of the Division of Liberal Arts at IUPUC, agrees. “Our ability to provide students with a Criminal Justice degree and opportunities for hands-on training makes IUPUC an excellent choice for students looking toward a career in law enforcement.”

For more information about the Criminal Justice program at IUPUC, go to www.iupuc.edu/liberal-arts/criminal-justice.