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Degree & Certificate Programs

Criminal Justice - 5 Year Bachelor's to Master's, Bachelor's , Master's

Overview

DeSales University offers a unique opportunity to earn your Bachelor's and Master's degree in Criminal Justice in just five years.

In this five-year program, you will begin taking master's level courses during your senior year of undergraduate study. These courses will count both towards the completion of your undergraduate degree and your Master's of Arts in Criminal Justice degree. This gives you a unique advantage to save both time and money while completing your criminal justice education.

DeSales Criminal Justice Evidence

Admissions Requirements

There are two paths of entry to this program.

High School Seniors 
must be accepted to DeSales University with a major in criminal justice with an SAT score of 1150 or higher (ACT of 23 or higher)

High school seniors interested in the program should apply to DeSales University as a criminal justice major through the traditional application process. If accepted to DeSales, you will receive a letter from the program inviting you to apply to the 5-Year BA/MACJ. An interview will then be scheduled either in person or via telephone. After the interview, the you will receive written notification regarding whether you are accepted to the program. 

If accepted to the 5-Year Program, you will be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout your undergraduate career. Failure to maintain the required grade point average could result in removal from the program. Assuming you meet the requirements, you will begin taking graduate level course during the fall semester of your senior year at DeSales. 

DeSales University Juniors 
must be in your junior year with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher

Criminal Justice majors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher are invited to apply for admittance to the 5-Year Program. Juniors are required to complete a written application, which requires at least two letters of reference. 

Download the junior application 

This application process is available to transfer students, as well as undergraduates who have changed their academic major to Criminal Justice while at DeSales University. After completion of the application process, you will receive written notification regarding your acceptance to the program. 

For more information, please contact:
Joseph Walsh, M.A., M.S.,
Director of the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program
Joseph.Walsh@desales.edu       
610.282.1100 ext. 1463

Curriculum

In this five-year program, you will begin taking master's level courses during your senior year of undergraduate study. 

Tuition & Fees

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. 

The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.

Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.

Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.

Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.

You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator

 

National Criminal Justice Honor Society

Lambda Eta, the DeSales University chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, brings together high-achieving students from the DeSales undergraduate traditional day, ACCESS, and graduate programs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALPHA PHI SIGMA
DeSales Criminal Justice Honor Society
Crime House on Taylor Drive @Desales

Crime Scene House

In a sleepy stone house on a quiet, rural street just South of campus, DeSales social science students are about to walk into a murder scene. Or a terrorist threat. Or a national disaster ...

 

Investigate the Crime Scene House

Contact Us

Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
Brisson Hall 205

 

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* The One-Course Scholarship is estimated at a value of up to $2,520 based on current course costs. Actual scholarship value is subject to change. Scholarship is only applicable toward tuition fees. Scholarship is only applicable to courses offered in Fall 2019 and Winter 2020 sessions. Applicant is required to meet all admissions standards to qualify for Scholarship. Cannot be combined with other discounts.