Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminal and Social Justice with Concentrations in Forensics

at University of St. Francis USA

On the front page, on the home page, on camera, or behind the microphone… these are just a few of the places you’ll find University of St. Francis Communication & Media Arts (CMMA) majors.

Communication & Media Arts is a broad field that touches on every aspect of human social behavior. Along with traditional communication theory, media writing, and broadcast/print production, you will learn about new and emerging electronic media. Digital media, wikis, video sharing, podcasts, blogs and social media are altering the way we communicate. In CMMA you will explore the fast-changing fields of advertising, public relations, journalism and broadcasting.

Students are encouraged to “jump in with both feet” from the moment they step on campus by:

• Writing articles or taking photos for the USF Encounter student news magazine
• Filling air shifts on USF’s radio station, WCSF 88.7 FM
• Creating graphics for a television or video production
• Producing on-location video news stories
• Designing websites for the community and completing real world projects
• Developing storytelling techniques for social media

The ability to use digital technology and to work in online environments is essential to career success in many different fields.

It’s not just technical skills that are important: making ethical judgments about technology, communicating effectively in online environments, and understanding how technology affects what it means to be human are crucial skills for success in the workplace and living a meaningful life.

Digital Humanities majors are prepared to succeed in a wide variety of fields by developing technical competencies in database management, digital media, software coding, and web design as well as wide-ranging knowledge in literature, history, the arts and philosophy.

Digital Humanities majors take courses in computer science and statistics, preparing them to use digital technology to study questions about the arts, culture, and the nature of human existence. They also take courses in literature, history, philosophy, media, and the digital arts, developing strong skills in critical thinking, design, and communication.

If you want to explore meaningful questions about the human experience, create sophisticated digital content, and help shape the future of culture, the Digital Humanities major offers a flexible program shaped by your unique interests.

If you are interested in how and why people make the choices they make then economics is your degree. As a combination of psychology, finance, business, and government, a degree in economics is incredibly useful and can lead to many interesting career choices.

Economics is a social science and graduates with an “econ” degree are in high demand. It provides you with a useful skill set and background for careers in business, finance, banking, government policy, or development.

The University of St. Francis Psychology program provides students with a solid foundation in psychology preparing you for successful career development — in graduate training or the workplace. You will explore ideas, learn cognitive skills, and experience both personal and professional development.

Designed using the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA), USF’s Psychology program offers students the knowledge and flexibility to enter a specified field for advanced post-graduate training. Students may individualize their course of study according to their personal interests such as clinical, developmental or social psychology or gerontology. You can gain more experience through USF’s Psychology Club, which offers field trips, social gatherings, admission to psychology conferences and more. Study psychology at USF, and you’ll be prepared for a successful future!

A growing field with many options, employment for psychologists is expected to grow 14 percent by 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S., increasing the need for qualified people to lead and manage facilities and staff. Executives must have in-depth knowledge of not only health care, but also traditional business concepts like accounting, finance, human resources, leadership and strategy.

Students will study health care delivery, management, information management, epidemiology and more. In addition, USF’s Franciscan values of respect, service, integrity, and compassion align with the values necessary for delivering exceptional patient care. This prepares students to lead with compassion and excellence in any setting.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

The Master of Business Administration, or MBA, is the most popular educational path for graduate students in the United States. It is popular because of its value in business, industry, non-profit organizations, and public institutions. Chicago MBA

The USF Master of Business Administration (MBA) is available entirely online or in a hybrid program (with a mix of online and on-campus courses), depending on your needs. It is a competitive, technologically focused, global approach to management and business.

USF’s relevant and on-trend curriculum focuses on:

• Global and competitive challenges
• The value chain of business
• Analytical thinking
• Leadership and decision making

The music field is very wide, and a degree in music offers many dynamic careers in the arts. The Bachelor of Music program at the University of St. Francis is oriented toward performance and will prepare students for a career as a professional performing musician or college-level teacher and prepares students for further study in graduate school. Students can choose to concentrate in either guitar, piano or voice.

Musicians and singers earn a median pay of approximately $27 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also estimates 10,400 job openings through 2026 for musicians and singers. These jobs include singing or playing instruments either in front of a live audience or in a recording studio.

The University of St. Francis offers students ample opportunities to expand their musical skills and experience in and outside the classroom. In addition to comprehensive classwork, students can join a variety of ensembles and musical groups that perform as part of the university’s Music at Moser performance series.

Concentrations

• Guitar
• Piano
• Voice

The University of St. Francis offers a highly regarded bachelor’s degree program in accounting.

As an Accounting major, you’ll learn the language of business– to think critically and to measure, process, and communicate financial information. You’ll also learn to use the software needed to capture and analyze that information. Most importantly, USF will prepare you to enhance the accounting profession through your research skills, leadership and service.

The increase in number of accounting jobs over the next 10 years will be double that of overall job growth, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Accounting majors typically earn some of the highest starting salaries for students with bachelor’s degrees.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

The Political Science program at USF prepares you for multiple career paths with a solid grounding in all aspects of political science. USF’s degree program provides you with training in American politics and law, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. You will be able to analyze issues at regional, national and international levels, and develop skills and habits for lifelong learning.

A degree in political science can lead to high paying professions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median pay as $115,1100 a year for political scientists and $119,250 for lawyers. Faculty provide students with an excellent preparation for their chosen career, whether law, journalism, political campaigning, governmental work, education or law enforcement.

USF’s Political Science students learn in a state-of-the-art environment. Students become true political scientists as they use the latest technology and strategies to identify and use research data and polls. For example, the Scope and Methods class exposes students to the most recent technology and programs used by professionals. Additionally, USF’s courtroom for mock trail activities is located at its St. Bonaventure Campus, located in downtown Joliet– just down the street from the Will County Courthouse.

Concentrations

• American Politics
• Pre-Law
• Public Policy

The Finance degree is designed for students who intend to assume professional roles as financial managers. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and tools you’ll need to be an effective manager of financial resources. A student may choose one of four concentrations that combine a traditional and certification-ready curriculum, experiential learning and practitioner-based instruction.

Finance students will learn to weigh benefits and costs by applying fundamental and advanced financial concepts in the decision making process. They will design financial spreadsheet models to solve real-world financial management problems, and will help advance the study of finance and its impact, both locally and globally, to make the world a better place.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.