Criminal Justice, Bachelor's , Minor

At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.

We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.

Application Checklist

• Application Fee: None
• Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
• Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
• Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
• Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program

All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 

* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.

Additional recommendations

High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:

• Four years of English
• Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
• A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
• At least two laboratory science courses

Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.

Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid 

What path do you want to pursue? At DeSales, you'll have the opportunity to choose an area of focus within the criminal justice major.

Criminal Justice-Digital Forensics

Enhance your criminal justice degree with a specialization in digital forensics. Learn how to investigate cybercrime using the latest technology. Courses provide information on how law enforcement agencies and lab experts at the local, state, and federal levels are trained to collect and analyze digital evidence. You'll receive hands-on experience with industry-accepted forensic tools.

Criminal Justice-Intelligence

If you have an interest in collecting and analyzing intelligence information to fight foreign and domestic terrorism, choose this track. You'll learn how to collect and decipher information that aids in preventing and solving crimes. You'll be taught from industry-trained faculty about relevant issues affecting national security and learn about counter terrorism efforts.

Criminal Justice-Pre Law

The pre-law track in the criminal justice program at DeSales was designed to prepare students with a foundation of the law prior to pursuing graduate school. Ideally a framework for law school with a focus in criminal law, the track includes course topics in constitutional law, ethics, and criminal procedures.

Criminal Justice-Rehabilitation

This track within the criminal justice major is designed for students who plan to pursue a career in the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders. The program helps to develop critical thinkers who are trained in areas of psychology and criminal justice to impact change in career paths related to helping inmates, parolees, juveniles, addicts, and families.

Internships provide a real-world glimpse into the criminal justice system. 

Once you've learned the basic tenets of the criminal justice system, obtaining an internship is a great way for what you've learned to come to life. DeSales' students will have many opportunities to complete internships throughout their time at DeSales. These experiences will help shape your career interests and guide specialization within your major.

DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets

Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025

Resident Students

Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)

Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116

Commuter Students

Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)

Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122

Off-Campus*

Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)

Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.

Parking Fee - $100

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets

Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs

If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.