FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 Contact: Marisa Bilicic

April 14, 2004                                                                            814-676-6591, ext. 1215

Clarion University–Venango Campus to Offer Criminal Justice Degree

OIL CITY, PA – The Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education last week granted approval for Clarion University–Venango Campus to offer an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice degree through the university’s Department of Political Science, Sociology, and Philosophy. The new program will launch in the fall of 2004 and students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. The field of criminal justice is growing and offers many exciting career opportunities in areas such as criminal investigation, corrections, probation, parole, and court administration. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment in the field of criminal justice is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010.

“The new A.S. in Criminal Justice program will help students to understand criminal behavior and become familiar with important issues concerning the treatment and rehabilitation of criminals and others in our society,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of Clarion University–Venango Campus. “Graduates will be ready for entry-level positions within various state and local agencies of the criminal justice system or for continuing their education within this field through several four-year programs in the region.”

            The criminal justice program at Clarion University-Venango Campus provides a broad-based education that includes criminal justice and juvenile justice processes, criminology, law enforcement, law adjudication, and corrections. The curriculum was developed in accordance with the standards for criminal justice education established by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, an international organization that promotes professional and scholarly activities in the field. Class schedules at Venango Campus provide flexibility for students who have career and/or family responsibilities. A new full-time faculty position has been added at the Venango Campus for this program. The new degree brings to nine the number of associate degrees offered at the campus.

Anyone interested in the program may call LaTrobe Barnitz, Coordinator of Admissions and Financial Aid, at 676-6591 ext. 1213 for more information. Interested persons may also find out more about criminal justice and other programs offered at Venango Campus – including degrees in industrial technology, legal business studies, nursing and other areas – at one of two upcoming community open houses. The open houses will be held Wednesday, May 19 and Tuesday, June 22 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the Robert W. Rhoades Student Center.

Students who apply and are accepted into the full-time Criminal Justice program for the fall also are eligible to apply for the new student apartment housing at Venango Campus. Inquiries regarding apartment housing should be directed to Emily Aubele, Director of Student Affairs, at 676-6591, ext. 1270.

Clarion University–Venango Campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed. Students can earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses. The campus is home to Clarion University’s School of Nursing and its Department of Applied Technology. Clarion University–Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community.

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