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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor’s Degrees
  4. Criminal Justice
Bronze statue of Justice and Mercy. Justice is blindfolded and holding scales; Mercy is winged and leaning over Justice's shoulder with her hand held up palm outward, as if to soften the judgement. (Credit: Wikipedia)

B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice — What’s the Difference?

At Penn State Wilkes-Barre we offer two four-year criminal justice degrees: the bachelor of arts (B.A.) and the bachelor of science (B.S.) Many students wonder what are the main differences between the programs. The B.A. degree provides a broadly based liberal arts background for the study of crime, justice, and the criminal justice system, and requires students to take 12 credits in a world language. The B.S. degree offers an opportunity for students to investigate, in greater depth, specific areas of the criminal justice system such as victimization, restorative justice, and leadership through additional criminal justice electives. A common mis­un­der­stand­ing is that the bachelor of science degree requires more science courses than the bachelor of arts degree; in actuality, both the B.A. and the B.S. in criminal justice require 6 credits in natural sciences. Either bachelor’s degree is excellent preparation for a career in criminal justice or graduate/professional study, such as law school.

Students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program in criminal justice, whether B.A. or B.S., will learn about each of the three main components of the criminal justice system and their interrelationships, be able to evaluate critically both current and future crime control policy proposals and criminal justice research, and understand the complexity of the crime phenomenon and its relationship to individual, social, and cultural factors. This major includes study in law enforcement, courts and corrections individually and as components of a system, plus work in theories of crime causation, and crime control policy. Students should expect reading, writing, and critical thinking skills to be rigorously applied and developed throughout the degree program.

In addition, we will soon offer the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Criminal Justice, which prepares students for entry level positions in the field or for continuing study at the baccalaureate level.

Criminal Justice

  • B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice — What’s the Difference?
  • Careers in Criminal Justice
  • Criminal Justice Course Sampler
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  • Request Information about the Criminal Justice Program

See Also

  • Program Description for B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • Program Description for B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • Suggested Academic Plan for B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • Suggested Academic Plan for B.S. in Criminal Justice
Map of Pennsylvania showing Penn State’s 24 locations with Penn State Wilkes-Barre highlighted.

Penn State Wilkes‑Barre

Located on a scenic estate just 13 miles from Wilkes‑Barre, Penn State Wilkes‑Barre offers four‑year baccalaureate degree programs, two‑year associate degree programs, and a wide range of professional develop­ment oppor­tunities. Our small classes encourage close inter­action with professors who are committed to helping you be successful.
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