Author: Brandy Sickles

What is Criminal Justice?

A degree in Criminal Justice provides preparation for a wide variety of careers. These careers can be anything from corrections to law enforcement and everything in between.

Penn State Fayette offers a baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice and gives several opportunities at engagement within the degree. One particular activity involves staged scenarios.

Staged Scenarios

It begins with students practicing their police training with their peers and Professor Lavarr McBride. They use a walkie-talkie and radio to mimic dispatch, and then respond accordingly.

One situation that students practice is what to do in an active school shooter situation. Their goal is to find out the shooter’s motives, and talk them out of the situation.

Along with these scenarios, students also learn the appropriate way to respond when it comes to pulling a gun on an offender, and how to talk an offender down in other stressful scenes.

To get a better idea on what goes on in these classes, I interviewed Criminal Justice major Sarah Teets, and asked what her thoughts were about participating in these scenarios.

“These scenarios are probably the best way to learn in this field. It lets us know what our future careers will actually be like.”

—Sarah Teets

The students are very thankful to be provided this opportunity with Professor McBride.

Criminal Justice Club

Another opportunity not only for Criminal Justice majors, but for all students, is the Criminal Justice Club.

Club members are able to visit several prisons, while getting hands on experience in the environment. They will even be participating in a mock riot at the end of this upcoming spring semester.

Bridges to Life

I also interviewed the President of the Criminal Justice Club, Hailie Rusko, to talk about the Bridges to Life program that the club will be starting soon.

Rusko explained,

“Bridges to Life is a restorative justice volunteer led program that is a fourteen-week curriculum based off of victim impact.”

There are days where the volunteers will get to hear about the victim’s story, while others will be about the inmate’s side of it.

“It is designed to help the offenders understand accountability for their actions.”

—Hailie Rusko

“Healing crime victims, rehabilitating offenders, and making our communities safer.”

—The Bridges to Life Motto

Questions?

There are several opportunities to take part of in this area! It is a truly great experience whether you are a Criminal Justice major, or just someone that would like to be involved in the club.

If you have any questions about the major or club, please contact Professor McBride or Hailie Rusko for more information!