New North Park University Criminal Justice Major Paves Way for Many Career Choices

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - April 28, 2009) - One of the fastest-growing higher education majors in the country is now available at the Chicago campus of North Park University. Its School of Adult Learning recently introduced Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degrees with a major and minor in criminal justice. The accelerated program offers courses in the evenings and on Saturdays. It is expected to appeal to sworn police officers in the Chicago area; to adult students seeking new careers in criminal justice, juvenile justice, corrections or social work; and to students seeking to enhance their current careers.

"The new curriculum offering recognizes the strong occupational outlook for law enforcement with many career choices," said North Park University Provost Joseph Jones. "There are numerous positions becoming available for fraud investigation in the insurance industry, forensics, crime scene investigation, the court system, community corrections, postal inspection and many other areas that individuals often have not considered. Double-digit increases in criminal justice jobs have been forecasted nationally, and in Cook County, in both the public and private sectors."

Pamela J. Ransom, the department chair for Criminal Justice and an associate professor at North Park, added, "Our curriculum blends a strong foundation of liberal arts with professional course work to prepare students for a broad range of careers in criminal justice. We offer a unique course on restorative justice as well as a Practicum in Criminal Justice that will provide hands-on experience at appropriate criminal justice agencies. As a trend, students are expressing greater interest in education that offers clear occupational outcomes. North Park's School of Adult Learning and Criminal Justice program meets that growing need."

Those interested in registering for the curriculum or obtaining more information may contact Leslie Bertholdt, School of Adult Learning Admissions, (773) 244-4577, lbertholdt@northpark.edu. The Criminal Justice program is currently offered on the Chicago campus of North Park University. It will be offered at the University Center in Grayslake beginning in January 2010.

About North Park University

Located in Chicago, North Park University is a Christian comprehensive university that serves nearly 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students from around the country and the world. Within a diverse, close-knit, urban community, North Park offers a values-based education to students through more than 30 undergraduate majors and an adult degree-completion program, as well as graduate and continuing education in business, nonprofit management, nursing, education, music, and theology. By integrating faith with learning -- as it has done since its founding in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church -- North Park University continues to focus on the important task of preparing students for lives of significance and service. More information is available at www.northpark.edu.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Joshua Taustein for North Park University (312) 780-7219 jtaustein@dresnerco.com Aubrey Pauly for North Park University (312) 780-7218 apauly@dresnerco.com