Continuing education in the discipline of criminal justice and sociology has a significant influence on the delivery of public safety services and empowers students to lead by instilling the passion to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change within our communities.

In order to make our criminal justice and sociology programs stand out from other schools, ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ has created multiple partnership opportunities for students interested in these programs. We offer partner scholarships, as well as a free transfer credit evaluation. Your academy credits and military background could also count toward degree completion credits, which could mean less coursework needed to graduate.  Our goal is to enable students to earn their degree in as short amount of time as possible, with as little financial debt as possible.

• Community College Partnerships: ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ has partnered with many community colleges in the Commonwealth and North Carolina to create a transfer process that is orderly and smooth for graduates of administration of justice programs who wish to transfer to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ and earn a bachelor of science in sociology and criminal justice.
• First Responder Partner Scholarship Program and Advisory Board Partners: The ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ First Responder Partnership Program allows partner organizations to refer employees for undergraduate and graduate degrees at a significantly lower tuition rate.
  • ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ grants a $250 scholarship per course for undergraduate students and a $350 scholarship for graduate students.
  • ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ waives all standard deposit and/or registration fees for our partners.
  • Provide custom direct-payment option.

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ offers three criminal justice and sociology degrees that are entirely online and affordable!

1. Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership – this degree provides progressive professional graduate educational opportunities for those who aspire to work in public safety and those who already work in the field of public safety and are seeking advancement to administrative and leadership roles and responsibilities in their field.
2. Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice – this program prepares you to serve the community in a wide variety of local, state and federal government jobs. Many of our graduates go on to pursue careers in public safety, law enforcement, juvenile justice, probation and parole, corrections, victim advocacy, court services, social services, and more.
3. Bachelor of Science in Sociology – this degree provides you with a strong foundation in the basic principles, techniques of analysis, and theories for understanding and working with the important aspects of social life in the contemporary world. This program prepares you for a career in government employment, secondary teaching, social services, and research with agencies in human services, public safety, industry, business and pre-law.

Click here to learn more about ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s Partnerships!

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I really liked the atmosphere with smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from the professors. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s faculty members wanted you to succeed. – Matthew Carter ’95

Matthew Carter retired from the Danville Police Department on Sept. 1, 2020 with 27 years of service. He attended Danville Community College from 1989 through 1992 and received an associate’s degree in both Liberal Arts and Administration of Justice.  Then in 1992, he attended ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ College (before it was ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½) and received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology / Criminal Justice. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree he went on to purse his Master’s degree from Longwood University.

During his time at the Danville Police Department he worked as a Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, Lieutenant of Services, Captain of Community Police, Captain of Professional Standards, and Captain of Investigations. He also served as Public Information Officer at various times. He previously instructed Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals at Danville Community College, and has also instructed Police In America and Organized Crime at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½.

Matthew recently began a new role as Executive Director at Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy in Martinsville, VA this past February. The academy services 13 law enforcement and public safety agencies across Patrick County, Henry County, and Pittsylvania County.

His advice for someone debating on going back to school: “Although it can be challenging trying to find the time to balance everything, it is well worth it. If you are fortunate enough to have the time and resources to attend school full-time, do it. As life happens – marriage, children, etc., it becomes more difficult to balance everything.”

Click here to learn more about our criminal justice programs!

The post Cougar Spotlight: Meet Matthew Carter appeared first on ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Online.

My favorite thing about ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ is the people. The students and faculty create a close, family-like learning environment that makes one feel appreciated and cared for as an individual. – Robert Fincher, ’96

Deputy Chief Fincher works for the Martinsville Police Department, and says it was ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ that led him to his career. Before he started his undergraduate coursework, he was uncertain of his future occupation. However, after starting his classes at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, he quickly found his calling for law enforcement. The variety of classes offered in ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice program gave him a solid foundation to start his career, and continues to be useful in his daily activities as an officer!

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s BSCJ degree is designed to give students the preparation they need to make the right decisions and choices, not just within a professional framework, but also within a humanistic context of demonstrating integrity, respect for others, compassion, empathy, ethics, fairness, and embracing and developing positive community relations within the human services and public safety professions.

When we asked Deputy Chief Fincher to provide tips for those thinking about going back to school he said: “If someone is thinking about going back to school, I would strongly encourage them not to wait. The sooner you start the sooner you will finish and begin receiving the benefits of the education.”

Click here to learn more about our Criminal Justice degrees!

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ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ is offering a $1,000 scholarship to EVERY First Responder who applies to the GPS program during the month of May 2018.

DID YOU KNOW?

• A fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds.
• 64% of fire department responses in 2015 were medical aid responses requiring First Responders and the use of ambulances, EMS, and rescue squads.
• Emergency Medical Services personnel treat 22 million patients a year.
• An estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year.

It’s clear that while all parties involved in the rescue, recovery, medical care, and rehabilitation of survivors of traumatic experiences are important, it’s the First Responders:

• who arrive at the scenes before anyone else,
• who must make immediate and appropriate decisions confidently and carefully, and
• who must remain calm and focused despite what they see and what they are called to do in that rescue moment.

Get your Master’s, Bachelor’s, or Associate degree in Business, Education, Nursing, Leadership, or Sociology & Criminal Justice. Or, learn at your own pace with our IDEAL program. All of our programs are accredited, accelerated and affordable.

So, whether you are a deputy sheriff, a police officer, a firefighter, a fire medic, a paramedic, a rescuer, or any other professional who serves as a First Responder and who has been considering going back to school to earn your degree, there is no better time to do that than right now.

*To embrace this $1,000 First Responder Scholarship, you must APPLY to the program within the month of May 2018 and then start your academic program within twelve months of being awarded the scholarship. While all First Responder applicants in May are eligible for this scholarship, it cannot be used in conjunction with any other institutional-provided discount or scholarship.

Click the button below to fill out a form to contact an Admissions Counselor.

GET FIRST RESPONDER SCHOLARSHIP INFO

Or, if you’re ready to apply to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, click here:

APPLY NOW

Sources:

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