Scranton’s Criminal Justice Program Receives Prestigious Certification
The University of Scranton joins just nine other colleges in the nation with criminal justice programs certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The University’s criminal justice bachelor’s degree program received notice of certification by the Academy in February. The certification extends until 2026.
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) certification is designed to evaluate evidence-based compliance that meets or exceeds all academic standards set by the ACJS executive board for associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s level criminal justice programs. The certification is based on outcome assessment of evidence of a program’s quality and effectiveness. ACJS academic certification standards assess the program’s mission, structure and curriculum, faculty, admissions, student services, integrity, quality and effectiveness, and outcomes for graduates leading to employment or graduate study, among other factors.
“This achievement did not happen overnight. It developed over a period of years due to our dedicated faculty, past and present, as well an administration who has supported our numerous departmental initiatives,” said Harry Dammer, Ph.D., professor and chair of the University’s Sociology, Criminal Justice and Criminology Department, who orchestrated the certification process for the program.
The ACJS is an international association with more than 2,800 members that fosters professional and scholarly activities in the field of criminal justices, according to its website. Members represent every state and multiple countries including nearly every institution of higher learning with a criminal justice/criminology program. The association promotes criminal justice education, research and policy analysis for both educators and practitioners.
The University of Scranton offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. The University also offers minors in criminal justice and criminology.