Crime, Justice & Security Studies Program

With the myriad of challenges facing youth within and beyond our communities, the Crime, Justice & Security Studies program is building a youth studies academic experience that focuses on youth advocacy. The course work and opportunities for experiential learning offer students a  conceptual, theoretical, evidence-based youth work practice, and global understanding of youth issues. This concentration in Youth Studies also prepares students for numerous youth related career paths such as youth program coordinator; camp counselor, youth advocate; mentor, and others. Though housed in the Crime, Justice & Security Studies program, it aims to attract students across disciplines and inspire a campus-wide commitment to youth advocacy for justice and collaboration  with DC child and youth stakeholders and change agents.

The UDC Crime, Justice & Security Studies program also manages the Institute for Public Safety and Justice. It provides research, education and training for local criminal justice practitioners, and enables students to pursue grant-funded training and research opportunities while interacting with leading professionals in the field.

Administration of Justice – Bachelor of Arts Degree

While the Bachelor of Arts degree is Administration of Justice, the name of the program is Crime, Justice & Security Studies, sometimes referred to as Criminal Justice. It is the scientific and humane study of crime, examining how the justice system works and how we can effectively promote public safety in our community. Do you enjoy “CSI” or “Law and Order”? We can give you a chance to see how the process really works.

The Crime, Justice & Security Studies program provides you the ethical foundation and commitment to human rights to succeed in any context of the field, whether working with youth in your community or researching emerging technologies such as the geo-mapping of crime data. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice  at the University of the District of Columbia prepares you for a career in youth work, law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, and related areas.

Faculty members are highly qualified professionals, actively involved in discipline-related national and international professional associations.  They serve students as teachers and mentors in an engaging learning environment that encourages teamwork and civic engagement required by the profession.

Crime, Justice & Security Studies: Vision, Mission, Goals & Student Learning Objectives

Vision

To prepare students for employment in careers broadly relating to justice, crime or security studies; or for graduate or professional school, as well as community service.

Mission

To design and implement an academic program that offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum from a public safety perspective that includes content from the social and behavioral sciences, human relations, ethics, legal studies, research, software application, professional practice, and crime statistical analysis.

Goals

• Offer traditional classroom curricular, online courses and blended coursework and educational opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Establish an enduring institutional capacity in homeland security science and technology.
• Produce graduates who are diverse in race and ethnicity, gender, and geography.
• Produce graduates who are technologically savvy researchers, critical thinkers, problem solvers, strategic communicators, skilled analysts, and human rights advocates.
• Establish a concentration in youth studies.
• Expand the number of graduates assuming professional roles and pursuing graduate studies in the fields of criminal justice, security studies, homeland security, and forensic science.

Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the requirements in the Crime, Justice & Security Studies program, students will be able to:

• Analyze complex organizational structure of the criminal justice system.
• Analyze the public safety approach to criminal justice.
• Analyze issues based on race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship status and disability in society.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Demonstrate discipline related writing, analytical, communication, and technological proficiency.
• Demonstrate skill-sets associated with the professional practice of criminal justice.

Related:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• Division of Social & Behavioral Sciences
• Learn more about applying for admission to the Crime, Justice & Security Studies program

Curriculum and Requirements

Program of Study

Students must complete 120 credit hours, including 82 credits required by the major, to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice. The core curriculum and plan of study emphasize modern aspects of the criminal justice field including:

• Public Policy Analysis
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• Human Relations and Ethics
• Homeland Security
• Mapping Software Applications
• Quantitative and Qualitative Research Skills
• Civil Liberties and Human Rights
• Youth Studies

Computer-based research, computer software modeling, analytical writing and public speaking courses are required components of the applied research focus of the Crime, Justice & Security studies program. A concentration in Homeland Security, Science, and Technology and the opportunity to take courses from a specific area of interest, such as youth studies, law enforcement, corrections or STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) are also available.  Students conclude the degree program by completing a senior research project.

Related Programs:

• Homeland Security
• Political Science

Student Organizations and Activities

The Criminal Justice Association is the student organization for majors and others interested in the field. The association is active on campus and in the community and helps participating students build a professional network.

The Crime, Justice & Security Program also frequently draws upon criminal justice experts and professionals from the Washington, DC community and hosts seminars, films, and speakers on social justice and human rights issues. Events and other program information are frequently posted to the program blog and the program Twitter account.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Michelle Chatman has a research background focusing on the areas of restorative justice, urban youth development, and urban inequality, specifically gentrification.  She has published work that discusses Black women and breast cancer, gentrification, and urban education. Dr. Chatman leads a contemplative learning initiative at UDC, which offers a mindfulness meditation series, contemplative pedagogy workshops, and an annual campus retreat. She has directed youth enrichment, family literacy, and served as an educator for adjudicated youth.  She also initiated a youth development program in Gambia, West Africa. Dr. Chatman is the recipient of a Robert Woods Johnson Foundation grant to implement Restorative Justice Strategies in the DC Public School System.

Professor Cotina Lane Pixley has a background in research, training and evaluation, service, outreach to government agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and other non-profit entities.  Her research interests include risk communication and community resilience, and the impact of disasters on underserved populations.  She serves as the early career faculty support for the DHS Scientific Leadership Award Scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia.

• Find Faculty in the University Directory