Welcome to Penn State Altoona

1. Welcome to Penn State Altoona An Introduction to The Criminal Justice Program Part One

2. For More Information • This presentation and other important information about the program can be found at: • http://www.personal.psu.edu/sak229 • You should also check the program’s official web site at: • http://www.altoona.psu.edu/cj

3. Criminal Justice Faculty • Michael Arter, Ph.D. • VidishaBarua, LLM, Ph.D. • L. Edward Day, Ph.D. • Mary Ann Probst, Esquire, CJ Program Cordiantor • Robert Worley, Ph.D. • Scott Kelly, Ph.D. student, Lead Advisor and Part-Time Lecturer • All CJ faculty advise CJ students. You have already been assigned an advisor to assist you, but you may ask any one of us for guidance.

4. The Field of Criminal Justice • Exploding with opportunity • Some positions require only 60 hours of higher education, BUT… • Employers will hire the best qualified applicants

5. Criminal Justice • Criminal justice majors have many choices in their future….including but not limited to law enforcement and corrections.

6. Lawyer Mediator Arbitrator Child Advocate Criminalist Forensic Specialist Researcher DEA Agent Cargo Theft Agent FBI Highway Patrol Postal Inspector Private Investigator Some of these careers will require specialized additional education. What Kinds of Jobs?

7. What Else? • Anything! • A liberal arts education teaches you to think, analyze and communicate . • These skills can be transferred to any career.

8. What you do with your time in the CJ program determines the opportunities you will have available later.

9. Where do I begin? • Commit to your educational process! • Immerse yourself in the educational process • Set goals and work toward them • Make a plan – your advisor will help

10. Advisors Advisors support students in their endeavors, provide information, and encourage students to make their own decisions Students have an obligation to communicate with their advisors. Effective advising requires communication and complete information

11. Special Needs If you are a special needs student….it is yourchoicewhether to disclose that information Accommodation letters are provided by the Health & Wellness Center You are responsible for provided this information to your instructors

12. Tell or Don’t tell…. • Choosing not to disclose special needs information means that your advisor and professors will not be able to provide additional academic support • Disclosure at the end of a semester is not retroactive

13. Self-Advising • Self-Advising – some students believe that they can navigate the academic system on their own, and don’t need advising • Roommate/Friend Advising – some students rely on their roommates or friends for academic advising

14. Self-Advising • While students make their own academic decisions…we strongly recommend that students discuss those decisions with their advisor. • Working with your advisor consistently helps eliminate last semester panic and delayed graduation

15. Self-Advising • Remember to refer to the CJ web sites for information on the program, program forms, etc. • Have your degree audit reviewed by the Program Coordinator before your final semester.

16. Reality Check • Penn State Altoona does NOT guarantee that every student will get through a rigorous academic program • Success is up to each individual student • Your progress in your academic program depends on you!

17. Reality Check • A Bachelor’s Degree requires a total of 128 credits of required and elective courses. • This means that you need to complete an average of 32 credits each year, or 16 credits every semester to graduate in four years. • PLAN AHEAD!

18. Reality Check • Entry into the Criminal Justice associate degree program does NOT guarantee entry into a bachelor’s degree program. • If you are enrolled in the associate degree program, you must apply for entry into the Bachelor’s program.

19. Reality Check • Community Service and Internships are an integral part of this CJ Program. • You will participate in both during the process of attaining your CJ degree. • Both are opportunities to network and expand your professional horizons.

20. Why do I have to take all those other courses? • University life is intended to assist you in realizing your full potential • While you are here, you will amass a body of knowledge about your field, and you will learn a great deal about yourself • Courses are designed to broaden your world and your future opportunities

21. For example…. • Writing/Speaking classes allow you to improve written and oral communication skills • Employers demand effective oral and written communication skills in people they hire

22. Ok..but why Math? • Quantification improves your critical thinking skills and analytical skills. • Understanding statistical analyses is a critical skill for making informed policy decisions. • The best preparation for STAT 200 is either MATH 017 or MATH 021, but you may need to start at a more fundamental level, depending upon your math placement score.

23. But Health and Activity Classes? • Health and Physical Activity Classes improve your health and fitness, and provide opportunities for lifelong recreation • They also help you develop a healthier lifestyle NOW rather than later when the damage has been done

24. Natural Science? • In Natural Science classes, you learn a different way of looking at the world -- the scientific method -- which sharpens logic and reasoning abilities

25. Overall…. • Whether two year or four year, AS, BS or BA….a degree program needs to fit you, challenge you and ignite excitement about your chosen field