New bachelor’s degree designed to address the growing needs in
corrections
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To address challenges faced by our nation’s correctional facilities and
better serve the professionals who seek sustainable solutions to the
effective reintegration of offenders into society, University
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of Phoenix® College of Social Sciences today announced the new
Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services. The
undergraduate program provides correctional and criminal justice
industry professionals with an advanced understanding of how justice
systems and social services intersect, allowing them to expand their
skillsets to help address mental health, rehabilitation and recidivism
issues that affect U.S. communities.
Driven by a rising national concern over public safety, and with the
rate of mental illness among people incarcerated in our nation’s prisons
and jails significantly higher than that of the non-incarcerated
population,1 there is a heightened need for professionals who
understand the systematic realities for offenders, both during
incarceration and after their release.
“There are critical roles in today’s society for correctional program
support services,” said Dr. Stephen Sharp, academic dean for University
of Phoenix College of Social Sciences. “Across the country, well-trained
professionals have opportunities to help break the cycle for offenders
who struggle with reintegrating into their communities and relapse into
criminal behavior.”
The Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services
provides individuals who work in a myriad of positions in the
correctional and criminal justice systems to fulfill functions in a
broad range of institutional and community correctional domains by using
a multidisciplinary approach of psychology, human services, behavioral
and criminal justice theories. Students will be trained to serve in
positions such as case managers, program directors and program managers,
which are designed to assist with the societal reintegration of
offenders. The program will equip students with foundational skills to
address correctional field trends such as prison overcrowding, gangs,
and mental health and substance abuse issues that impact correctional
facilities and court-mandated programs.
“By preparing individuals for a variety of support roles in the
correctional industry, we can help both our students and society by
filling an area of significant need,” said Dr. Constance St. Germain,
executive dean of University of Phoenix College of Social Sciences. “The
Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services was
designed in collaboration with University of Phoenix College of Security
and Criminal Justice as well as corrections industry subject matter
experts, all of whom reflected the real-world needs of professionals in
the field.”
The Bachelor
of Science in Correctional Program Support Services is an
educational degree program that provides a foundation or knowledge in
the field of correctional program support services. This program does
not prepare students for any type of professional certification or
licensure as a correctional officer, social worker or counselor.
For more information about each of these programs, including on-time
completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the
program and other important information, please visit phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
About University of Phoenix College of Social Sciences
University of Phoenix College of Social Sciences offers programs in
human services, psychology and counseling. The college’s curriculum
seeks to empower individuals who wish to enhance their skills for career
entry or advancement in the helping professions. Curriculum is regularly
updated to meet accreditation and/or national and state professional
standards. University of Phoenix College of Social Sciences faculty
members are experienced professionals, holding advanced degrees. Many
sit on state licensure and accreditation boards as well as professional
committees. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu/socialsciences.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults
move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world.
Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive
learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal
aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo
Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL),
University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering
associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from
campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online
throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
1 The Council of State Governments Justice Center: http://csgjusticecenter.org/reentry/issue-areas/mental-health/
Contacts
University of Phoenix
Michael Ferraresi, 602-557-8640
Communications
Manager