Our Department
About Our Department
Justice Studies Department began as the “Police School” in 1930, offering the first complete college education program for future police officers as an academic program in a regular academic curriculum, otherwise known as a “college major;” this was the first major in the field called Criminal Justice. Through time, scholars found that criminal justice and social justice are intricately intertwined.
Five Pillars
- Criminal Justice Studies
- Criminology
- Forensic Science
- Legal Studies
- Human Rights
Highlights
- Founded in 1930, the Justice Studies Department is the oldest academic program of its kind. It has consistently been rated among the nation’s best
- A unique program of Lecture Series, Research Colloquia, and guest lectures exposes JS students to cutting-edge scholarly debates in the areas of social (in) justice, law, penal politics, forensic science, and human rights.
- Required internship experience allows majors to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations.
- Required International Experience educates majors for global living.
- CSI Summer Camp
- Record Clearance Project
- Themis, Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science
- Major Events:
- The Ann Lucas Lecture Series in Law and Justice
- Forensic Science Lecture Series
- Annual Human Rights Lecture
- Department Showcase and Alumni Dinner
- Beyond the Books Lecture Series
- Confidence Challenge
Today We Offer Multiple Degrees:
- B.S., Justice Studies
- B.S., Justice Studies, concentration in Criminology
- B.S., Forensic Science, concentration in Biology
- B.S., Forensic Science, concentration in Chemistry
- M.S., Justice Studies
- Resident Program - MS, Criminology, Concentration in Global Criminology
- Online - Minors in Justice Studies include Human Rights, Forensic Studies, Legal Studies, and Justice Studies.
- Advanced Certificate in Collaborative Response to Family Violence