Portland State University Salutes First Class of Graduates in Online Criminology & Criminal Justice Program

June 14, 2008 marked a significant milestone in the history of Portland State University (PSU) as its first class of students in the online Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice (CCJO) program graduated.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) June 25, 2008 -- June 14, 2008 marked a significant milestone in the history of Portland State University (PSU) as its first class of students in the online Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice (CCJO) program graduated.

Portland State University Online Criminal Justice Degree

These students are true trailblazers

By the end of the summer 2008 term, 25 of the first group of online students will have finished. Our vision to offer challenging, interactive, and accessible education to students who can't come to campus is being realized.

Although I had some of them in three classes, I didn't recognize faces until we introduced ourselves. It was extremely gratifying to see these students' beaming smiles and know that our online program has produced both competent and happy graduates.

At my age, working full time and having a seven year old, I thought school was not an option for me, but I was wrong. PSU's Criminology and Criminal Justice online program has made it possible.

afforded me the ability to work full time in the field while I pursued my degree which is something that the local university could not offer me

Residing in all parts of the United States, students in this first graduating class were from as close as Portland, OR and as far away as Raleigh, NC. Regardless of their diverse locations, they all had a common goal - to earn their Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice from Portland State University.

"These students are true trailblazers", said Dr. Brian C. Renauer, Chair of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Division. "By the end of the summer 2008 term, 25 of the first group of online students will have finished. Our vision to offer challenging, interactive, and accessible education to students who can't come to campus is being realized."

The graduating class included students who started the program in March 2006. While many have collaborated extensively online in each course, most have never met in person. The graduation ceremony was a great opportunity to make the trip to Portland and for some, finally put a face with the names they have grown used to seeing in their online classes. Dr. Renauer considered the opportunity "a unique honor" as he met for the first time a number of the CCJO graduates in person. "Although I had some of them in three classes, I didn't recognize faces until we introduced ourselves. It was extremely gratifying to see these students' beaming smiles and know that our online program has produced both competent and happy graduates."

Among this group of first graduates included Amanda Mortwedt and Letty Smith, who earned summa cum laude and cum laude honors, respectively. Letty had this to say about her experience in the online program: "At my age, working full time and having a seven year old, I thought school was not an option for me, but I was wrong. PSU's Criminology and Criminal Justice online program has made it possible."

In addition, Tania Poole who traveled to the ceremony from Temecula, CA was inducted into the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi prior to the commencement ceremonies. The convenience of the online program allowed Tania to move from Virginia to New York then to California, where she now resides. This program "afforded me the ability to work full time in the field while I pursued my degree which is something that the local university could not offer me", noted Tania.

To find out more about Portland State University's online Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice program, contact a PSU Enrollment Advisor at 1-866-225-7127 or visit the program web site, www.online.ccj.pdx.edu.

About Portland State University
Portland State University (PSU) was founded in 1946 to help educate returning World War II veterans, and continues this tradition of adapting to changing social and educational circumstances. PSU's Criminology and Criminal Justice division, part of the Hatfield School of Government, has been awarding bachelor degrees for nearly 40 years. The online learning program enables distance learners to interact with an interesting, passionate group of fellow students and learn with the same distinguished faculty that teach the on-campus program.

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