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School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management, welcome! If you are a current student, we are excited to have you, and if you are a prospective student, we hope that you consider enrolling in one of our programs.

The School works collaboratively to investigate, understand, and solve social problems related to crime and criminal behavior, primarily by examining the policies and systems designed to control criminality. We offer the bachelor's and master's degrees in criminology and criminal justice, an undergraduate minor in criminology and criminal justice, an undergraduate minor in forensic studies, an undergraduate minor in emergency services, and a certificate in crime scene investigations. We also offer fully online master's degrees in emergency services administration and in criminology and criminal justice.

All of our programs are interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on the fields of criminology, law, sociology, psychology, political science, philosophy, public health, and, when applicable, the natural sciences as well. Through a social scientific lens, our challenging curricula are designed to sharpen students’ reasoning, ethical decision making, problem solving, and communication abilities. The School promotes life-long learning among students who develop into professionals prepared to lead public and private efforts that make communities safer and that promote the equitable application of the law across all boundaries, both perceived and real. Graduates of our degree programs are well-prepared to become agents of positive change through evaluation, research, ethical practice, and dedicated service.

Our first-rate faculty is comprised of teacher-scholars who enjoy national reputations in their respective areas of expertise.  A supporting group of part-time faculty members who are dedicated, highly knowledgeable professionals assist in the delivery of a curriculum that combines the best of theory, policy, research, and practice.  And, our comprehensive internship program allows all students to integrate their classroom-based knowledge with practical, applied experiential learning that, in turn, helps students make informed decisions about employment and/or further educational opportunities.  Graduates enter careers in policing, corrections (including probation and parole), the court system, emergency management, social service agencies, private security, juvenile justice, investigations, and in research and/or policy divisions of numerous governmental agencies.  Undergraduates are also well-prepared to pursue advanced degrees in criminology/criminal justice, law, public affairs, and related graduate fields.

Please take some time to explore our web site.  We hope it answers many of the questions that you may have as either a current or prospective student. If not:

  •   please e-mail questions concerning our Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) certificate to Ron Mark, Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Research and Training;
     
  •   please e-mail questions concerning our master's programs in criminology and criminal justice to our Graduate Advisors (Dr. Sam Vickovic for the in-person program or Dr. Nick Perez for the online program);
     
  •   please e-mail questions concerning our master's program in emergency services administration or our minor in emergency management to Dr. Peter Kreysa; and
     
  •   finally, if you need to see me in my role as Director of the School, please email me, Dr. Christine Scott-Hayward, directly to set up an appointment

Thank you for your interest in our programs.  We hope to see you in our classes in the near future.

Sincerely,

Christine Scott-Hayward, Ph.D.
Professor and Director,
School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management