Now in its third year, the Criminal Justice Pathway has become one of the most popular pathways in the Appoquinimink School District’s Career Technical Education (CTE) initiative.

Open to students at Middletown, Appoquinimink, and Odessa high schools, the pathway enables students to receive articulated credit at Wilmington University upon graduation. The credits help students save time and money in earning their degrees and launching careers in the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, corrections, and the courts.

“The Criminal Justice Pathway is one of the top requested pathways in the district and currently has 310 students. Additionally, 153 students in other career pathways are taking a CRJ Pathway course as an elective,” says Jake Andrews, who chairs the Criminal Justice program in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Andrews and Dr. James Warwick, who directs the Criminal Justice program, also serve on the CRJ Pathway advisory board to advise the district in maintaining high standards and ensuring a successful partnership with WilmU.

During their senior year, students in the CRJ Pathway participate in an immersion experience where they gain hands-on experience in the field. Students also complete a written and oral presentation.