Shorter to offer Criminal Justice Degrees Online

(Media Release) Shorter University is now offering the Associate of Science
with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Criminal
Justice degrees in a 100 percent online format.

The degree programs in Criminal Justice at Shorter are designed to open many
opportunities for jobs on the federal, state, county and city levels and
will give graduates a well-rounded, comprehensive study of the three areas
of Criminal Justice – police, courts, and corrections – as well as
supporting agencies.

"While you do not have to have a four-year degree to be a police officer
except at the federal level, many agencies are looking to promote
individuals who do have four-year degrees," said Dr. Beverley Spitler,
professor of Criminal Justice at Shorter and head of the degree program.
"Some certification agencies are also giving preference to candidates who
have or are pursuing a degree."

Shorter has offered a major in Criminal Justice through its traditional
program since 2011 and will continue that program. The addition of the
online degree programs is designed to make the major more accessible for
adults returning to school.

"Placing our Criminal Justice degree online provides an additional option to
our existing traditional classroom format and helps to meet the growing
demand for such a program," said Dr. Donald L. Martin, Jr., executive vice
president and provost at Shorter. "Our highly qualified faculty have
expertise and experience in a variety of areas within the field of Criminal
Justice and view their work as a calling, not just a profession. We are
pleased to be able to offer this particular program online so that working
adults can pursue a degree in a format conducive to their personal
schedules."

Individuals already working in the areas of police, courts, or corrections
may qualify for academic credit based on professional experience. Peace
officers who are certified by a state or Department of Corrections will
receive 14 to 16 hours credit. "Coursework is closely related to the peace
officers' professional experience – allowing them to take the lessons
learned back to their agency and improve their service," Dr. Spitler added.


The online programs in Criminal Justice are also ideal for active and former
military personnel. Shorter offers a convenient, military-friendly education
for military personnel who have spent or who are actively spending their
lives serving and protecting our country. Shorter's Online Programs also
honor our troops by providing special benefits to each branch of the
military, reservists, veterans, military spouses, and Department of Defense
employees. Military personnel, veterans, and military spouses are given a
discount on their tuition. An Online Financial Aid Advisor is available to
process military and veteran benefits as well as answer any questions
regarding possible benefits students are eligible to receive.

Shorter's Criminal Justice faculty consists of scholar-practitioners who
teach from both an academic perspective and personal experience in the
field. "The Criminal Justice Program at Shorter University strongly believes
in Micah 6:8, which says 'And what does the Lord require of you? To act
justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God," Dr. Spitler
said. "As Christians we have obligations to orphans, widows and the
oppressed, but also to the incarcerated."

Courses in the Criminal Justice program include Introduction to Criminal
Justice, Theories in Criminal Justice, Correctional Systems, Police Systems,
Judicial Systems, Internship, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Research
Methods in Criminal Justice, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. Criminal
Justice majors also must complete 9 hours of electives, choosing from such
topics as Procedural Law, International Criminal Justice and Human Rights,
Principles and Practices of Restorative Justice, Abnormal Psychology,
Juvenile Delinquency, International Terrorism, and Human Trafficking.

For additional information on the Associate of Science with a concentration
in Criminal Justice or the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, contact
Dr. Spitler at bspitler@shorter.edu<mailto:bspitler@shorter.edu> or visit
online.shorter.edu.