Fairleigh Dickinson University

What you'll study

This programme combines core criminal justice theory with specialised study of correctional systems, offender rehabilitation and community supervision. You will explore how law, policy and social factors shape responses to crime and learn practical skills for working with justice-involved individuals.

• Core modules: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminological Theory, Criminal Law and Procedure, Research Methods in Criminal Justice.
• Corrections-focused modules: Corrections and Penology, Community Corrections, Probation and Parole, Institutional Practice and Management, Offender Assessment and Case Management.
• Applied and specialist modules: Juvenile Justice, Substance Abuse and Addiction in Corrections, Restorative Justice, Forensic Psychology, Victimology, Ethics and Professional Issues.
• Skills and practical learning: Risk assessment, report writing, interviewing and counselling techniques, programme design and evaluation, and crime data analysis.
• Experiential component: Supervised fieldwork or internship placements with prisons, probation services, community organisations or rehabilitation programmes, and a capstone or senior seminar integrating theory and practice.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requires a secondary school qualification equivalent to a high school diploma, with satisfactory grades in relevant subjects. Admissions consider academic performance, a personal statement outlining interest in criminal justice and any relevant volunteer or work experience.

• Evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Some campuses/programmes may request letters of recommendation or an interview.
• Because of the nature of the field, applicants should be prepared for background screening as part of placement arrangements.
• For international applicants, proof of English language proficiency is required in line with university policy.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles across correctional and community-based settings. The programme emphasises practical skills and applied knowledge valued by employers in the justice sector.

• Correctional officer and facility management roles.
• Probation and parole officer, community supervision and case management.
• Rehabilitation and treatment provider positions, including substance-abuse programme roles and re-entry services.
• Positions in juvenile justice services, victim support agencies and restorative justice programmes.
• Opportunities in policy, research and advocacy with government bodies, non-governmental organisations and private firms; pathway to graduate study in criminology, social work, public administration or law.

Why study at Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson offers a student-centred approach with small class sizes and faculty who combine academic expertise with professional experience in criminal justice. The university’s metropolitan and suburban campuses provide access to diverse placement opportunities with local courts, correctional facilities and community agencies.

• Emphasis on applied learning through internships, practicum placements and community partnerships to build professional networks and real-world experience.
• Opportunities to specialise through elective modules and to undertake research or a capstone project under faculty supervision.
• Dedicated career services and support for licensure preparation, graduate study applications and job placement in criminal justice fields.
• Access to interdisciplinary resources across law, psychology and social work that enrich understanding of offender management and rehabilitation.