The Department of Criminology, Criminal justice, and Disaster Science houses programs
in both Criminal Justice and Emergency and Disaster Management. Our Criminal Justice
Program is one of WCU's largest, with residential or online options. The Emergency
and Disaster Management Program is also offered as a residential major and minor.
Each program of study brings together theory and hands-on practice through the curriculum,
internships, independent studies, and student-faculty interaction, a hallmark of our
department. The goal of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is to provide
students with a strong interdisciplinary foundation. Graduates are prepared to respond
appropriately and ethically in challenging 鈥渞eal world鈥� situations as they move on
to careers in criminal justice, emergency and disaster management or for further
education. Graduates lead careers in law, law enforcement, public service, crime scene
investigations, victim services, institutional corrections, research, higher education
and much more.
Our curriculum emphasizes the interdependence of theory and practice in addressing
"real world problems." Our emphasis on application guided by scholarship provides
a strong, interdisciplinary foundation for future criminal justice and emergency and
disaster management professionals. The focus for undergraduate students is to achieve
mastery of fundamental academic competencies and a basic level of expertise in the
fields of criminal justice and emergency and disaster management.
The faculty are committed to provide high-quality education in criminal justice, emergency
and disaster management, and criminology to our majors, other students across the
University, and to the professional community.
All faculty teaching in our programs hold an MA/MS or PhD from top tier universities
in the field. Our faculty have worked with an array of agencies and organizations
in law, law enforcement, courts, corrections and victim programs. You will gain a
broad understanding of the crime problem and our social control machinery. Engaged
learning is our foremost feature, allowing our students the opportunity to research
topics of special interest under the sponsorship of faculty and present their findings
on campus as well as state and national conferences. Special emphasis is placed on
research and communication skills throughout our curriculum. We have an array of opportunities
to gain out-of-the-classroom experience with internships and study abroad opportunities.
Where You'll Go
Careers of our graduates cover a very broad range including policing, courts, corrections
and emergency management at the local, state and federal levels. Many of our alumni
work with at-risk youth or adjudicated delinquents and in crime and delinquency prevention
programs. Our graduates are also well represented in academe, the legal profession,
victim services, and private security.
The Criminal Justice program is one of WCU's largest, with residential or online options. The Emergency and Disaster Management Program is also offered as a residential
major and minor.
Our Criminal Justice Program is one of WCU's largest, with residential or online options.
WCU offers flexible options to fit your goals, including residential and online degrees
in Criminal Justice and Emergency & Disaster Management, as well as minors in both
fields. These programs provide a strong academic foundation combined with practical
experience to prepare you for diverse career paths.
Take a look at stories from a couple of our top graduates.
What鈥檚 Happening
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