Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology

at University of St. Francis USA

The Criminal & Social Justice major at the University of St. Francis offers students an exciting alternative to a traditional criminal justice program by offering the opportunity to build a concentration in one of several specializations. The focus of the program goes beyond the criminal justice system and examines historical, social, and legal barriers to creating a more just society. Students are educated about the structure and process of the criminal justice system with a holistic, Catholic social justice perspective.

Writing skills, ethics and integrity, service and social justice are emphasized to prepare students for a profession where these traits and skills are in high demand. The program seeks to provide students with a broad liberal arts foundation challenged by Franciscan values, and engage them in the continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice. Students will explore and understand societal issues that lead to criminal behavior, and will learn theoretical and practical knowledge of the structures, processes, and functions of the criminal justice institutions and their relationship to other social systems.

This flexible major allows students to take a variety of courses that would not ordinarily be combined for a traditional major. An essay outlining the student’s academic goals and proposed course groupings will be required prior to admission. The document must then be approved by the Dean of the College Arts & Sciences before the student can become a Liberal Studies major.

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.

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.

This major offers a comprehensive approach to studio art, photography and graphic design. Students may immerse them­selves in a variety of traditional and contemporary media, taught by practicing artists with local, national and international professional experience. Learning takes place in a state-of-the-art facility that’s unmatched in the region, offering dedicated spaces for a variety of media such as ceramics, digital arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, studio arts, video editing and woodshop.

Classes are small (usually ranging from 8–15 students), giving each student the opportunity to develop enriching educational relationships with classmates and professors. The Art & Design department emphasizes the importance of blending the faculty’s professional experience with the students’ understanding of contemporary aesthetics and their development of ambitious studio practice.

Studio Art:
Equips students with a sound foundation for entry into a graduate program or a career as an artist.

The computer science field is one that’s continuously growing and evolving. Technology skills are necessary for operations in just about every professional field: business, education, medicine, law enforcement, communication, science, engineering, manufacturing, service industries, the gaming industry and more. You name it, and computer science is right there– making things work in every imaginable way.

Within the computer science realm, the Information Technology degree offered by the University of St. Francis is designed to prepare technology profes­sionals in the efficient use and integration of network technology into existing company structures. The program focuses on basic business functions within companies. Information Technology students are provided with knowledge, skills, and methods necessary for the deployment of emerging technology, installation and maintenance of networks, resource management and system security.

If you want a career in a field that is always new, always challenging and always growing, Information Technology is for you! The degree is highly versatile, giving graduates competitive opportunities to work in a variety of settings.

As a USF DARA major, you will become a musically competent professional. You’ll gain the technical knowledge to excel in today’s digital-based music production industry. You’ll also acquire the knowledge, principles and practices of engineering methodology and music production, while learning to turn your artistry into a viable and sustainable business.

Each DARA major will have a prolific portfolio of work with a resume that illustrates his/her exceptional abilities. You’ll be equipped for success as an audio engineer, music industry entrepreneur, creator of user generated content or a recording artist.

In the studio, you’ll remix and reshape audio loops, create MIDI compositions utilizing various MIDI editors and controllers, and capture, edit, mix and master audio using USF’s state-of-the-art facilities.

The DARA Studio includes digital audio workstations that run Avid Protools and Ableton Live as host DAWs. Students use a myriad of embedded plug-ins and virtual instruments, an extensive microphone selection, a tracking room, sound booths, a control room and editing suites to create their musical masterpieces, at which point the value of the DARA program and coursework will truly reveal itself.

The Master of Science Degree in Health Administration (M.S.) program at the University of St. Francis is designed for students who have knowledge and experience in specific areas of health care and are seeking a broader understanding of the field.

While the program is offered in a convenient format, the content is rigorous. The curriculum includes both the theories of management and its practical application in the health care field. Sound administrative skills—systematic, critical and open-minded investigation of literature and data for the solution of challenging problems—are essential for professionals preparing for increasingly significant roles in today’s society.

History is powerful. History majors are encouraged to visualize, feel, and experience history. You will gain a solid grounding in American, European, and World history while being introduced to past and current historiography and take part in current debates in the discipline. USF’s History program emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, research, information literacy, writing and oral presentation.

Classes are taught in small settings. Students can explore World War II in a global perspective, rather than the traditional European focus, or take a class on “History in Film,” which helps students evaluate and critique the historical narratives found in pop culture. There’s also “Digitizing History,” where students learn about digital preservation and techniques for effective online presentations of history for the public.

USF’s History degree also promotes experiential learning, encouraging students to gain experience outside college classroom at museums and other historical sites. This flexible program gives students a lot of leeway to take courses that suit their interests. Students are exposed to a variety of different ideas and sources, and can focus in depth on issues that most intrigue them.

Concentrations

• European
• Non-Western
• United States
• History/Social Science Secondary Ed. (9-12)