Connect to Your Future at Hodges University
Since its founding in 1990, Hodges University has emerged as one of Florida's leading institutions of higher learning. A private, not-for-profit institution, Hodges is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's-, baccalaureate- and graduate-level degrees in a variety of professional disciplines.
Though serving students of all ages, Hodges University has garnered recognition for developing a curriculum that is uniquely catered for adults who balance their academics while maintaining full-time jobs and family responsibilities.
Hodges has been in the online academic arena for over 10 years and has a unique delivery of courses through the Blackboard online platform. The recent addition of the Tegrity platform allows students to study on the go, with the ability to download lectures to iPods and other electronic devices. Learning at a distance has never been so easy and convenient.
But never fear, you are never alone at Hodges. With a responsive faculty and a myriad of student services at your disposal, help is always there for the asking. All library services are accessible through the internet, so even research is at your fingertips!
Now is the time to make your connection to Hodges University! That connection will make a difference in your life, your career and your future.
Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies (Online)
A paralegal is a legal assistant, not a legal secretary, and has been trained in general and specific areas of law and legal research. The paralegal performs routine duties of legal practice such as client contact, research, evidence collection, and document preparation under the supervision of an attorney. The paralegal is to the lawyer what a nurse is to a doctor–an assistant. By delegating routine matters to the legal assistant, both the attorney and the client are better served.
Hodges University offers an Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies degree with a curriculum of law, the legal profession and practice, liberal arts; as well as other courses and resources to fulfill that curriculum. Counseling is offered to prepare each student for a successful career in legal assisting or further studies in the practice of law. The programs provide training beneficial to those already working in law offices as well as those just getting started in the field, and students are given the option to concentrate in a chosen legal specialty– Real Estate Law, Bankruptcy, Family Law, Litigation, etc..
Graduates of Hodges University's paralegal program are eligible to take the Certified Legal Assistant exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA)
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice (Online)
Criminal justice is a profession within our legal system that deals with the safety concerns of society. Those who work in the criminal justice system have an opportunity to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of individuals. Having a degree in Criminal Justice means the difference between having a job in the field versus becoming a professional with a defined future.
Our curriculum is designed to prepare the student who already works in criminal justice for promotion as well as to prepare students without experience for entry level positions.
As society changes, so too, will our criminal justice system. Hodges University is committed to ensuring that its Criminal Justice Program remains contemporary so that graduates of the program will be prepared to serve the communities in which they serve.
The Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions within the criminal justice system. The curriculum focuses on the critical areas within the discipline, as well as relevant liberal arts courses, to provide students with the skills necessary to function within the profession.
Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (Online)
The principal objective of the Criminal Justice Program is to deliver a comprehensive program of study to support the agencies and personnel who are delegated the task of public safety and service in our communities. The goal of the program is to ensure that potential and current criminal justice personnel have the opportunity to study the most comprehensive and contemporary methods and policies dealing with the criminal justice system. The program is designed to prepare students with no prior related work experience for entry level positions within the criminal justice system as well as similar positions in the private sector. For criminal justice personnel, both sworn and civilian, the program prepares them for middle and senior management positions, building upon previous experience and training.
Hodges University's Criminal Justice Program emphasizes specialty areas of concentration to prepare individuals for service in unique and innovative areas within the criminal justice system. Such specialty areas include management, behavioral sciences, forensics, terrorism, and intelligence. The curriculum is structured to provide a logical sequence of courses for students to progress from the associate level to the bachelor's level.
As society changes, so too, will our criminal justice system. Hodges University is committed to ensuring that its Criminal Justice Program remains contemporary so that graduates of the program will be prepared to serve the communities in which they serve.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is developed around a core curriculum of required courses within a range of subjects applicable to criminal justice. In addition, each student is required to complete a series of liberal arts courses to assure the broadest based educational experience and to support the general education goals of the University. Further, the student will have the opportunity to select from an approved list of elective courses to develop an area of interest.
Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies (Online)
At Hodges University, the principal objective of the Legal Studies program is to offer a curriculum of law, liberal arts, and business which meets the needs of the legal community and the individual student who may want to advance to law school, as well as prepare a student for a successful career in legal assisting. The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies at Hodges University is designed to prepare students for professional and management positions in legal settings, assisting attorneys and other legal professionals with legal research, collection of evidence, document and litigation preparation, law office management, and other duties of the daily practice of law.
According to the Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008-2009 Edition), the profession of legal assisting is expected to grow 22% by 2016, which is much faster than most professions. Now is the time to prepare for this professional and growing career at Hodges University! Current Legal Assistants will benefit from this degree by enhancing their skills in law office management.
The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies is also ideal for students wishing to continue on to law school, including the development of skills needed for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
Master's Degree in Criminal Justice (Online)
The Criminal Justice field is growing by leaps and bounds, offering to Criminal Justice professionals a vast number of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. At Hodges University, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MCJ) degree is designed as a contemporary study of the Criminal Justice System.The program is conceptually based, thereby offering students the opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of criminal and deviant behavior that is applicable to the practical realities of the criminal justice professional.
The program consists of 30 credit hours, or ten 3-credit courses, that can be completed in 4 or 5 fifteen-week trimesters. Those students choosing the online format may complete the program at their own pace, as long as all degree requirements are completed within five years.
Admission Requirements for the Master's Degree
Admission to the Master of Professional Studies Program requires the following:
- Completion of the Application for Graduate Program Admission; and
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and
- Official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities; and
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 credits of college-level work; and
- Acceptable results on the MCJ Admission Test; and
- Two letters of recommendation.