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Home / Academics / College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education / Criminology and Criminal Justice Degrees

Mission Statement

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It is the mission of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice to provide criminological education, research and services to students, practitioners, policymakers and the community through an intellectually challenging environment that promotes collegiality and an educational experience relevant to crime and criminological theory that is meant to engage intellectual inquiry with domestic and international perspectives.

Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Purposes/Goals

  1. Students will be able to describe core concepts related to the field of criminology and the three components of the American criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts and corrections.
  2. Students will be able to describe the nature and extent of crime in the United States.
  3. Students will be able to explain the process and function of U.S. courts, including Federal and State courts, and explain the function of criminal law and procedures in the American judicial system.
  4. Students will be able to explain the role of law enforcement in America, including the structure and organization of enforcement agencies, the history and philosophy of law enforcement, and the relationship between law enforcement and the community.
  5. Students will be able to explain the American correctional system, including the history of corrections, inmates and the prison experience.
  6. Students will be able to describe the micro- and macro-level theories used in criminology to explain crime, deviance and victimization.
  7. Students will be able to describe the quantitative and qualitative methodologies applied in social science research and to analyze data using common descriptive and inferential techniques.
  8. Students will engage in experiential learning activities, which may include internships with local criminal justice agencies and organizations, independent studies or other service-learning opportunities.
  9. Students will develop strong critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, while in a professional setting.