Since 1990, Argosy University in Atlanta has been known for offering graduate degrees in psychology, counseling, education and business, but the school also has undergraduate programs, including a new Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
“We wanted to do something different and help those individuals who are interested in careers in law enforcement, corrections and other criminal justice fields,” said Ron Swanson, president of Argosy University, Atlanta. “There’s a shortage of people who are prepared for these jobs.”
To enhance the program, Argosy invested in a state-of-the-art firearms training simulator lab that allows students to practice scenarios they would likely face on the job.
“Seeing the lab gives people a whole different perspective of what has to go through an officer’s mind in dangerous situations,” Swanson said. “We ask these people to do a lot, and we wanted to provide them with the kind of education they need to protect the community and themselves on the job.”
Students in the program learn critical-thinking, communication, research and professional skills by taking courses in criminal law, the court system, investigations, criminology and criminal procedure. They can select a concentration in corrections, forensic psychology, homeland security, management, police, security management or substance abuse.
Articulation agreements with local police academies allow officers to get credit for courses they’ve already completed at such training programs.
The tuition is about $560 per credit hour for six hours or fewer, and $540 per hour for students who take seven to nine credits per semester. Argosy students may apply for federal financial aid and the HOPE scholarship.
Argosy University was formed in 2001 by the merger of three academic institutions: The American School of Professional Psychology, The University of Sarasota and the Medical Institute of Minnesota. The system, which is made up of 19 campuses in 13 states, is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for the Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The Atlanta campus, which joined the system in 2001, is the university’s largest. More than 2,700 undergraduate students and graduate professionals are enrolled at the Atlanta campus at 980 Hammond Drive.
“We are a well-kept secret, but once students find us, they realize that this is a great environment for learning,” Swanson said. “They’re attracted to our state-of-the-art classrooms and our knowledgeable faculty, who are mostly working professionals in their fields. Many of our psychology instructors have their own practices.”
Argosy combines online instruction with classroom teaching, but classes are mostly held at night and on weekends to accommodate working students.
“Students have different learning styles and many learn best through the human interaction of the classroom,” Swanson said. “Our intent is always to provide a great educational experience and to help students achieve whatever goals they have. We want to be able to shake their hands at graduation and say congratulations, knowing that their achievement has been a partnership. If they’re successful, we’re successful.”
For information, call 770-671-1200, 1-888-671-4777 or go to www.argosy.edu/Atlanta.
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