Peirce College’s New Criminal Justice Program Allows Students to Focus on Their Preferred Career Path

Philadelphia Police Academy and Corrections Officer Training Academy graduates may qualify for credits

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Peirce College has introduced a Criminal Justice Associate degree program as part of the College’s Legal Studies portfolio. The new program provides students with a sound foundation of practical, conceptual and analytical skills required to work in this dynamically diverse field.

“Peirce’s program delivers real-world, practical skills—all members of our faculty are experts in their fields. There are different avenues that a criminal justice professional can take to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom”

A differentiating element of Peirce’s degree program, compared to many other institutions, is the ability for students to focus on a particular career path of criminal justice. Instead of a generic curriculum, Peirce offers customization. The program is uniquely configured to support students with specific courses according to their preferred area of criminal justice: Law Enforcement, including Police; The Correctional System; Criminal Investigation; Introduction to Private Security; and Juvenile Justice.

The Criminal Justice degree program helps position Peirce graduates for career opportunities in private security for corporate offices and businesses, as well as in government and law enforcement. Students can study online and/or on campus through accelerated seven-week courses. The Peirce Criminal Justice Program also provides online access to the latest criminal investigation and research data.

“Criminal justice careers will always be in demand. As the U.S. population continues to increase, so does the need for more and more criminal justice professionals,” said Brandi Brice, Assistant Professor, Legal Studies at Peirce College. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, criminal justice is a growing industry where many positions are expected to see an 11 percent increase or more in job opportunities by 2016.

“Now, an increasing number of employers in the field are looking for applicants with a college degree in criminal justice,” Brice added. Probation officers, police and correctional professionals are also seeing a change in the minimum educational requirements for employment, she pointed out.

Of particular note to Philadelphians is that coursework by graduates of the Philadelphia Police Academy and Corrections Officer Training Academy may be accepted for college credits.

“Philadelphia Lodge 5 of the FOP is appreciative of the efforts of Peirce College in looking out for Philadelphia Police Officers and their higher education needs, just as those same Police officers protect and serve the citizens of Philadelphia,” said FOP President John McNesby. “We thank Peirce for their continuing support for the Police regarding college courses and credit for Police Academy studies.”

“Peirce’s program delivers real-world, practical skills—all members of our faculty are experts in their fields. There are different avenues that a criminal justice professional can take to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom,” Brice emphasized. “A criminal justice degree provides an opportunity for students interested in private security, in addition to those who want to work in probation, parole, law enforcement including police, investigations and corrections,” Brice said.

“It is also a field that is constantly evolving, just as the law enforcement landscape continues to evolve. There will always be the need to continue to develop innovative ideas and approaches to improve the criminal justice system,” Brice added. “There are many opportunities for innovators who can influence the changes that need to be made to the system.”

About Peirce College

Peirce College offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information Technology and Paralegal Studies. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes in serving the unique needs of working adults, many of whom work full time and are raising families. In response to the changing demands of the economy and the prospect for future jobs in the Philadelphia market, Peirce recently introduced degree programs in Human Resource Management and Accounting. Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104 (phone: [phone]). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits the College's Business Administration program and the Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.

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