Criminal Justice | Spalding University Catalog

Criminal Justice

CJS ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Entry-Level CJS Program Admissions Policy & Procedures


Admission to Undergraduate Programs

Spalding University admits students whose credentials demonstrate the potential to profit from and contribute to the undergraduate programs of the University. When possible, personal interviews and campus visits are encouraged as the best means for an applicant to learn about Spalding. Prospective students may call (502) 585-7111  for a tour of campus and a meeting with an admissions counselor. Any questions, requests for information, or application materials should be directed to the Admissions Office.

Financial Aid and Default: An applicant will not be admitted to Spalding University if he/she is in default on a federal student loan or campus-based loan program (Perkins Loan or Federal Nursing Loan) and must not owe a refund on a government-sponsored loan or grant.

Residency Verification: For the purpose of determining eligibility for certain state aid grant programs, Spalding University will confirm the residency status of admitted students through the verification and review of the following (preponderance of evidence):

1. Address of record as reported on the Application for Admission;

2. Photocopy of a valid state-issued Kentucky driver’s license or identification card;
3. Official transcript issued by a Kentucky public or private high school showing high school graduation date;
4. Evidence that the student had moved to Kentucky within the preceding 12 months and was enrolled at least half-time;
5. Official transcript that the student had attended an out-of-state college within the past year and presenting evidence that he/she paid out-of-state tuition at that institution


Category I: Prospective students with less than 24 hours of transferable college credits

The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school or present evidence of satisfactory scores from the test of General Education Development (GED).

Spalding University requires no specific units or courses as prerequisites that must be completed before admission. However, a desirable preparation includes the core requirements as defined by the Kentucky Education Reform Act, as follows, or its equivalent:

• English - four years

• Social Science - two years
• Natural Science - two years
• Mathematics - three years
• Foreign Language - two years of the same language

The Undergraduate Admission Committee considers the total profile of a prospective student. Applicants most likely to succeed at Spalding University have a solid preparation of academic courses and score well on the verbal and math sections of the SAT or ACT. Criteria for automatic admission into the Traditional Program include a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher and a minimum composite score of 20 on the ACT or 1030 on the SAT (combined critical reading and mathematics sub scores). Criteria for automatic admission into the FLEX Program is a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher or GED of 50 or higher.

Before any admission action can be taken on a prospective student's application, the following documents must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

1. The completed application with the non-refundable application fee of $20;

2. An official high school transcript* or an official score report from the test of General Education Development (GED);
3. Satisfactory scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Test (ACT) of the American College Testing Program;
4. A scan or a photocopy of the applicant’s state-issued driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

* Official transcripts are those sent directly to Spalding from the issuing institution. Any transcript marked "issued to student" or any transcript that is hand delivered by the student is not considered an official transcript. Faxed transcripts are not considered official transcripts.

Declaration of Previous College Attendance: Applicants must declare all previous college attendance. Applicants who fail to disclose previous college attendance on the application for admission and/or who fail to submit transcripts are subject to denial or cancellation of admission or dismissal from the University.

Financial Aid and Default: An applicant will not be admitted to Spalding University if he/she is in default on a federal student loan or campus-based loan program (Perkins Loan or Federal Nursing Loan) and must not owe a refund on a government-sponsored loan or grant.

Residency Verification: For the purpose of determining eligibility for certain state aid grant programs, Spalding University will confirm the residency status of admitted students through the verification and review of the following (preponderance of evidence):

1. Address of record as reported on the Application for Admission;

2. Photocopy of a valid state-issued Kentucky driver’s license or identification card;
3. Official transcript issued by a Kentucky public or private high school showing high school graduation date;
4. Evidence that the student had moved to Kentucky within the preceding 12 months and was enrolled at least half-time;
5. Official transcript that the student had attended an out-of-state college within the past year and presenting evidence that he/she paid out-of-state tuition at that institution

Admission decisions are typically made within one week after all application materials and test scores are received in the Admissions Office.

Category II: Prospective students with 24 or more hours of transferable college credits

The Undergraduate Admission Committee considers the total profile of a prospective student. Transfer students' recommended criteria for automatic admission include a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.50. For the FLEX Program, students with 24 or more hours of transferable credits must have a college GPA of 2.50 or higher.

Anyone wishing to transfer to Spalding University from another college or university must submit the following documents to the Admissions Office:

1. The completed application with the non-refundable $20 application fee;

2. Proof of high school graduation (or official GED test score report);
3. An official transcript* from each college and/or university previously attended;
4. A scan or a photocopy of the applicant’s state-issued driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

* Official transcripts are those sent directly to Spalding from the issuing institution. Any transcript marked "issued to student" or any transcript that is hand delivered by the student is not considered an official transcript. Faxed transcripts are not considered official transcripts.

Declaration of Previous College Attendance: Applicants must declare all previous college attendance. Applicants who fail to disclose previous college attendance on the application for admission and/or who fail to submit transcripts are subject to denial or cancellation of admission or dismissal from the University.

Financial Aid and Default: An applicant will not be admitted to Spalding University if he/she is in default on a federal student loan or campus based loan program (Perkins Loan or Federal Nursing Loan) and must not owe a refund on a government-sponsored loan or grant.

Residency Verification: For the purpose of determining eligibility for certain state aid grant programs, Spalding University will confirm the residency status of admitted students through the verification and review of the following (preponderance of evidence):

1. Address of record, as reported on the Application for Admission;

2. Photocopy of a valid state-issued Kentucky driver’s license or identification card;
3. Official transcript issued by a Kentucky public or private high school showing high school graduation date;
4. Evidence that the student had moved to Kentucky within the preceding 12 months and was enrolled at least half-time;
5. Official transcript that the student had attended an out-of-state college within the past year and presenting evidence that he/she paid out-of-state tuition at that institution

Admission decisions are typically made within one week after all application materials are received in the Admissions Office.

Once a student has been admitted and has submitted an enrollment deposit, official transcripts will be evaluated by the registrar to determine transfer credit. Courses carrying a grade of C- or better from an accredited institution*, and applicable to the program of study and degree requirements, are typically acceptable. No more than 64 credit hours will be accepted from a junior or community college. Four-year college credit will be examined separately from two-year college credit.

* Spalding recognizes the following accrediting agencies: MSA/CHE, NWCCU, NCA, NEASC- CIHE, NEASC-CTCI, NY: State Board of Regents, SACS, WASC-ACCJC and WASC-SR


CJS Program Outcomes

CJS program outcomes mirror the ACJS standards and Spalding University has added two additional outcomes as follows:

Administration of Justice: Contemporary criminal justice/criminology system, major systems of social control and their policies and practices; victimology; juvenile justice; comparative criminal justice.

Corrections: History, theory, practice and legal environment, development of correctional philosophy, incarceration, diversions, community based corrections, treatment of offenders.

Criminological Theory: The nature and causes of crime, typologies, offenders, and Victims.

Law Adjudication: Criminal law, criminal procedures, prosecution, defense, and court procedures and decision-making.

Law Enforcement: History, theory, practice and legal environment, police organization, discretion, and subculture.

Research and Analytic Methods: Quantitative-including statistics-and qualitative, methods for conducting and analyzing criminal justice/criminology research
in a manner appropriate for undergraduate students.

Restorative Justice: Historical and cross-cultural aspects of social sanctions and discussion of alternative theories to punishment and justice based on restorative values and principles.

Criminal Justice Reform: Improving upon the inequities and deficiencies currently present within the core areas of the criminal justice system.


Program Sheets:
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies
Criminal Justice Reform Minor
Criminal Justice Studies Minor
Restorative Justice Minor