Five-Year BA/MACJ Degree Program

DeSales University offers criminal justice students a unique opportunity to obtain their Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice in just five years. Essentially, during their senior year of undergraduate study, students in the program will begin taking masters level courses. These courses will count both towards the completion of the undergraduate degree and the Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice degree. This gives students in the program a unique advantage to save both time and money while completing their criminal justice education.

Two types of students may apply to the program:

• High school seniors accepted to DeSales University with a major in criminal justice with an SAT score of 1080 or higher (ACT of 23 or higher)
• DeSales University criminal justice majors in their junior year with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher

High School Seniors

High school seniors interested in the program should apply to DeSales University as a criminal justice major through the traditional application process. If accepted to DeSales, these students will receive a letter from the program inviting them to apply to the 5-Year BA/MACJ. An interview will then be scheduled either in person or via telephone. After the interview, the student will receive written notification regarding whether they are accepted to the program.

If accepted to the 5-Year Program, students will be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout their undergraduate career. Failure to maintain the required grade point average could result in removal from the program. Assuming the student meets the requirements, they will begin taking graduate level course during the fall semester of their senior year at DeSales. 

DeSales University Juniors

Criminal Justice majors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher are invited to apply for admittance to the 5-Year Program. Juniors are required to complete a written application, which requires at least two letters of reference. Download the junior application here or contact the Department of Social Sciences secretary.

This application process is available to transfer students as well as undergraduates who changed their academic major to Criminal Justice while at DeSales University. After completion of the application process, students will receive written notification regarding their acceptance to the program.

For more information, please contact 
Professor Jennifer Moore 
610-282-1100 ext. 1649