STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Criminal Justice Program has been approved as an Anti-Fraud Education Partner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). This recognition underscores the program’s commitment to excellence in fraud examination education and its alignment with the highest standards set by the ACFE.

“Franciscan’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in criminal justice have had an emphasis on fraud and financial crimes, as well as the investigative and deductive tools to identify and provide an evidentiary basis for prosecution, since the programs’ inception,” said Dr. Charles Nemeth, professor of criminal justice and director of the Center for Criminal Justice, Law, and Ethics at Franciscan University. “In particular, our minor in forensic accounting complements our membership in the ACFE, and Professor Katherine Kikendall oversees these forensic accounting courses with unrivaled professionalism.”

ACFE is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Its partnership program is designed to promote anti-fraud education in colleges and universities, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to combat fraud in various sectors.

With the Anti-Fraud Education Partnership, Franciscan University will integrate ACFE-endorsed content into its criminal justice curriculum, offering students courses that cover critical areas such as fraud prevention, detection, and investigation. Students can engage with ACFE’s extensive resources, including research publications, case studies, and its “Report to the Nations,” as well as have access to industry experts. The partnership also gives students the chance to pursue the Certified Fraud Examiner credential, a respected designation in fraud examination.

Franciscan University offers both a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a new online Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The Criminal Justice Program prepares students with a solid foundation in natural law and the Judeo-Christian moral tradition while also providing them with professional skills and best practices so they can serve as leaders in the justice field.

For more information about Franciscan University’s Criminal Justice Program, visit franciscan.edu/criminaljustice.