Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminal and Social Justice with Concentrations in Social Work

at University of St. Francis USA

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.

This major offers a comprehensive approach to studio art, photography and graphic design. Students may immerse them­selves in a variety of traditional and contemporary media, taught by practicing artists with local, national and international professional experience. Learning takes place in a state-of-the-art facility that’s unmatched in the region, offering dedicated spaces for a variety of media such as ceramics, digital arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, studio arts, video editing and woodshop.

Classes are small (usually ranging from 8–15 students), giving each student the opportunity to develop enriching educational relationships with classmates and professors. The Art & Design department emphasizes the importance of blending the faculty’s professional experience with the students’ understanding of contemporary aesthetics and their development of ambitious studio practice.

Art & Design students will:

• Gain an understanding of the visual arts in relation to culture and history
• Be introduced to historical and contemporary artistic and design practices
• Learn in an environment that fosters critical thinking
• Use facilities that are current with industry standards

Concentrations

• Graphic Design
• Photography
• Studio Art

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 field of music promises a creative career, and to prepare students, the University of St. Francis offers a friendly and supportive environment with a multitude of performance opportunities—recitals, concerts, theater and classes.

The Bachelor of Art in Music is a four-year degree preparing students for music-filled careers that allow for creative thinking and expression, and offers the rewarding experience of sharing one’s art with others. For those who teach students – either in a classroom, studio, or private lessons – the experience of helping others express themselves through music can be extremely gratifying.

Through classes and extracurricular activities, students will have ample opportunities to expand their musical abilities. The university hosts a variety musical and theater performances open to the public, giving students a chance to showcase their talents. The Music program also offers a Digital Audio Recording Arts concentration for students interested in exploring the technical side of music production.

If you’re serious about learning everything about music from theory to performance to recording, the Music program at the University of St. Francis is for you.

Concentrations

• Digital Audio Recording Arts
• Generalist

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.

The University of St. Francis Psychology program provides students with a solid foundation in psychology preparing you for successful career development — in graduate training or the workplace. You will explore ideas, learn cognitive skills, and experience both personal and professional development.

Designed using the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA), USF’s Psychology program offers students the knowledge and flexibility to enter a specified field for advanced post-graduate training. Students may individualize their course of study according to their personal interests such as clinical, developmental or social psychology or gerontology. You can gain more experience through USF’s Psychology Club, which offers field trips, social gatherings, admission to psychology conferences and more. Study psychology at USF, and you’ll be prepared for a successful future!

A growing field with many options, employment for psychologists is expected to grow 14 percent by 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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.

Imagine going every day to a job you love. Do you have a passion for sports? Does working with kids and families interest you? Do you love being outdoors? If so, a career in the recreation and sport management field may be for you.

Recreation and leisure are essential for strong communities and satisfying lifestyles. USF’s Recreation and Sport Management program prepares students for rewarding careers in a field that provides meaningful leisure in a variety of settings. USF’s dedicated faculty prepares students for professional leadership roles through innovative instruction, experiential learning and a personalized advising process.

As the only nationally accredited program of its kind in the Chicago suburbs, USF’s Recreation & Sport Management program produces students who are marketable across a range of job settings. Nationally, jobs in the recreation field are expected to grow faster than the average for all
occupations (United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Entry level salaries average at $31,650, while median salaries can range anywhere from $62,740 to $83,790, depending on titles and duties.

Concentrations

• Community Recreation & Park Resources
• Outdoor Recreation
• Recreation Therapy
• Sport Operations Management

The University of St. Francis offers a highly regarded bachelor’s degree program in accounting.

As an Accounting major, you’ll learn the language of business– to think critically and to measure, process, and communicate financial information. You’ll also learn to use the software needed to capture and analyze that information. Most importantly, USF will prepare you to enhance the accounting profession through your research skills, leadership and service.

The increase in number of accounting jobs over the next 10 years will be double that of overall job growth, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Accounting majors typically earn some of the highest starting salaries for students with bachelor’s degrees.

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.

As a medical laboratory scientist (MLS), also known as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, you will analyze a variety of biological specimens. Graduates from this program are responsible for performing scientific testing on samples and reporting results to physicians.

The Medical Laboratory Scence program at the University of St. Francis provides a thorough education for students interested in pursuing a career in the clinical lab sciences. A dedicated, passionate staff works with students throughout the program, preparing them to become qualified, well-prepared and confident professionals upon graduation.

If you’re serious about becoming a top medical lab scientist, then the rigorous Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of St. Francis can help you do just that.