Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminal and Social Justice with Concentrations in Language and Cultural Diversity

at University of St. Francis USA

As a USF DARA major, you will become a musically competent professional. You’ll gain the technical knowledge to excel in today’s digital-based music production industry. You’ll also acquire the knowledge, principles and practices of engineering methodology and music production, while learning to turn your artistry into a viable and sustainable business.

Each DARA major will have a prolific portfolio of work with a resume that illustrates his/her exceptional abilities. You’ll be equipped for success as an audio engineer, music industry entrepreneur, creator of user generated content or a recording artist.

In the studio, you’ll remix and reshape audio loops, create MIDI compositions utilizing various MIDI editors and controllers, and capture, edit, mix and master audio using USF’s state-of-the-art facilities.

The DARA Studio includes digital audio workstations that run Avid Protools and Ableton Live as host DAWs. Students use a myriad of embedded plug-ins and virtual instruments, an extensive microphone selection, a tracking room, sound booths, a control room and editing suites to create their musical masterpieces, at which point the value of the DARA program and coursework will truly reveal itself.

History is powerful. History majors are encouraged to visualize, feel, and experience history. You will gain a solid grounding in American, European, and World history while being introduced to past and current historiography and take part in current debates in the discipline. USF’s History program emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, research, information literacy, writing and oral presentation.

Classes are taught in small settings. Students can explore World War II in a global perspective, rather than the traditional European focus, or take a class on “History in Film,” which helps students evaluate and critique the historical narratives found in pop culture. There’s also “Digitizing History,” where students learn about digital preservation and techniques for effective online presentations of history for the public.

USF’s History degree also promotes experiential learning, encouraging students to gain experience outside college classroom at museums and other historical sites. This flexible program gives students a lot of leeway to take courses that suit their interests. Students are exposed to a variety of different ideas and sources, and can focus in depth on issues that most intrigue them.

Concentrations

• European
• Non-Western
• United States
• History/Social Science Secondary Ed. (9-12)

Radiography is an allied health profession that employs X-radiation to produce images of the human body. The B.S. in Radiography at USF is a “2+2 program.” This means participating students will complete two years of liberal and pre-professional science education courses at USF before applying for admission to a professional program at Swedish American Health System in Rockford, Illinois or Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. (Admission to the professional education component is controlled by the sponsoring hospitals.)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median national annual wage for radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, was $60,070 in 2017. According to the BLS, there will be a projected 13 percent rise in employment for radiographers by 2026, which is a faster-than-average growth rate compared to all occupations.

At the University of St. Francis, students benefit from small, intimate classes where they can work closely with professors. Most importantly, USF prepares students for successful careers in radiography and the allied health professions.

Industrial-organizational psychology is the scientific study of human behavior in organizations and the workplace. As an I-O Psychology major at USF, you’ll learn about major psychological theories and their application in human resources through hiring, training and talent development, performance appraisal, motivation and work satisfaction. You’ll also learn more about organizational communication, organizational change and development, team building and leadership, culture and diversity, safety in the workplace and more. You’ll conduct field research and assessment, and will grow your skills in literature-based research, problem solving, oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and independent learning. You’ll also enrich your commitment to values and ethics while doing research and business—guided by the values of respect, integrity, compassion and service.

Graduates will be able to apply their understanding of major psychological theories and principles in their organizations and work life. They will be prepared for entry-level job positions and graduate-level training. According to a survey, jobs in the I-O psychology field are projected to increase by 19 percent before 2024.

The Finance degree is designed for students who intend to assume professional roles as financial managers. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and tools you’ll need to be an effective manager of financial resources. A student may choose one of four concentrations that combine a traditional and certification-ready curriculum, experiential learning and practitioner-based instruction.

Finance students will learn to weigh benefits and costs by applying fundamental and advanced financial concepts in the decision making process. They will design financial spreadsheet models to solve real-world financial management problems, and will help advance the study of finance and its impact, both locally and globally, to make the world a better place.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

The Master of Science Degree in Health Administration (M.S.) program at the University of St. Francis is designed for students who have knowledge and experience in specific areas of health care and are seeking a broader understanding of the field.

While the program is offered in a convenient format, the content is rigorous. The curriculum includes both the theories of management and its practical application in the health care field. Sound administrative skills—systematic, critical and open-minded investigation of literature and data for the solution of challenging problems—are essential for professionals preparing for increasingly significant roles in today’s society.

The Finance degree is designed for students who intend to assume professional roles as financial managers. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and tools you’ll need to be an effective manager of financial resources. A student may choose one of four concentrations that combine a traditional and certification-ready curriculum, experiential learning and practitioner-based instruction.

Finance students will learn to weigh benefits and costs by applying fundamental and advanced financial concepts in the decision making process. They will design financial spreadsheet models to solve real-world financial management problems, and will help advance the study of finance and its impact, both locally and globally, to make the world a better place.

An added benefit, seniors who feel inspired to keep studying to obtain an MBA or M.S. degree may take graduate-level courses during their last two semesters for dual undergraduate and graduate credit. That means students can take nine graduate-level credit hours during senior year, and can complete their MBA or M.S. one year after graduating if they attend full time. See course catalog for additional details about the “3 to Degree” program.

Mathematics permeates virtually every intellectual discipline. Carl Friedrich Gauss called mathematics the “queen of the sciences” and indeed, it forms an integral part of scientific thought and is a necessary component of contemporary advances in all scientific fields. Mathematics majors are analytical, detail-oriented and methodical.

It’s a great time to be a mathematician! The career outlook for mathematicians is favorable and healthy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for mathematicians and statisticians as $84,760 with a projected 33 percent increase in employment by 2026.

The mathematics program at the University of St. exposes students to the various topics in undergraduate mathematics along with analytical skills to continue lifelong learning and application of mathematics. Dedicated faculty members get excited about innovations in technology and education and bring both to their classrooms. They also work closely with their students to cultivate a student’s personal interest.

Concentrations

• Mathematical Science
• Actuarial Science
• Mathematics Secondary Ed. (9-12)

The computer science field is one that’s continuously growing and evolving. Technology skills are necessary for operations in just about every professional field: business, education, medicine, law enforcement, communication, science, engineering, manufacturing, service industries, the gaming industry and more. You name it, and computer science is right there– making things work in every imaginable way.

Within the computer science realm, the Information Technology degree offered by the University of St. Francis is designed to prepare technology profes­sionals in the efficient use and integration of network technology into existing company structures. The program focuses on basic business functions within companies. Information Technology students are provided with knowledge, skills, and methods necessary for the deployment of emerging technology, installation and maintenance of networks, resource management and system security.

If you want a career in a field that is always new, always challenging and always growing, Information Technology is for you! The degree is highly versatile, giving graduates competitive opportunities to work in a variety of settings.

This flexible major allows students to take a variety of courses that would not ordinarily be combined for a traditional major. An essay outlining the student’s academic goals and proposed course groupings will be required prior to admission. The document must then be approved by the Dean of the College Arts & Sciences before the student can become a Liberal Studies major.