Department of Criminal Justice

Carla Miller Coates, Chairperson

General Program Overview

The admission of students to the undergraduate degree programs in the Department of Criminal Justice is based upon the general admission requirements of the University.

The Department of Criminal Justice students have access to excellent computing and science facilities to conduct research in criminal justice, criminology, and forensic science-crime scene investigation.

Students majoring in Criminal Justice will gain knowledge of the nature and causes of crime, criminal justice and law enforcement processes, social justice and reform, and advocacy. Students will be introduced to theories of crime and the methodological techniques needed to conduct research and data analytics in criminal justice.

The Certificate in Forensic Science - Crime Scene Investigation program is structured as a concentration within the criminal justice program in the Department of Criminal Justice. The Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)) program adheres to the directives and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009) and the National Institute of Justice’s 2004 report, Education and Training in Forensic Science: A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions and Students. The certificate can be earned as a concentration with the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. The CSI program concentrates on crime scene investigation as distinguished from forensic science laboratory analysis. The crime scene investigator is oriented to field operations and the collection of evidence for laboratory evaluation. The professional practice of crime scene investigation requires an understanding of professional ethics, competency in safety protocols and laboratory procedures, knowledge of criminal law and the legal process, effective written and verbal communication skills and competency in the collection and preservation of evidence.

Graduates will be ready to meet emerging and enduring challenges confronting criminal justice, particularly in the areas of forensic science-crime scene investigation, criminal investigation, cybercrime/cybersecurity, and data analytics through the use of project-based learning modules. Post-traditional learners can enroll in the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program.

Objectives

The specific objectives of the Criminal Justice Program are as follows:

to provide a broad-based liberal arts education with particular focus on the nature and causes of crime and delinquency, the correctional system, the courts, the police, the juvenile justice system, security and domestic violence.
to increase the pool of students with research skills and techniques in the field of criminal justice.
to provide an interdisciplinary focus of study in the field of criminal justice.
to increase the pool of talented and qualified minority students in this growing area of public service and professional practice.

The specific objectives of the Certificate in Forensic Science - Crime Scene Investigation program are as follows:

to prepare students to function as crime scene investigators within law enforcement agencies at various levels of government.
to provide students with critical knowledge of the criminal justice system, criminal law and scientific methodology.
to provide students with basic skills in criminal investigation and laboratory procedures and technologies.
to prepare students to communicate effectively, think critically and methodically solve problems.
to instruct students on professional standards and ethics, safety protocols and operational policies and regulations.

Degrees Offered

Criminal Justice - Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice - Bachelor of Science with Certificate in Forensic Science - Crime Scene Investigation

Departmental Requirements

Criminal Justice Major - Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of University courses. Included in the 120 hours are 34 hours of criminal justice major courses, 15 hours of criminal justice electives, 32 hours of general education requirements, 6 hours of foreign language and courses in speech, economics, political science, global studies and health.

Students desiring to minor in criminal justice must complete 18 semester hours in criminal justice, including CRJS 230 and CRJS 240. A student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of academic credits before declaring a minor, must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and may not have more than two minors.

Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice with Certificate in Forensic Science - Crime Scene Investigation - Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of university courses. Included in the 120 hours are POLI 110 or POLI 215 , 34 hours of criminal justice major courses, 24 hours in forensic science curriculum, 9 hours of criminal justice electives, 33 hours of general education requirements, 6 hours of foreign language and courses in speech, psychology and health. A minimum grade of “C” must be attained in the major and required core courses.

Students cannot minor in the certificate program.

Career Opportunities

A baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice prepares students to enter the broad array of career fields. Criminal Justice graduates can use their knowledge and research skills in very rewarding and meaningful ways in employment in the fields of law enforcement, court related occupations security and corrections.

Directory of Faculty

Sonia Austin-Moore; Adjunct Instructor
B.A., University of Phoenix; M.S., Arizona State University

DeShunda Brown; Adjunct Instructor
B.A., Norfolk State University; M.S., Saint Leo University

Karen Casey; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., Niagara University; M.A., Ph.D., University at Albany State University

Ginger Cartwright; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., North Carolina A&T State University; J. D., University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill; Ph. D., Nova Southeastern University

Carla Miller Coates; Associate Professor and Chairperson
B.A., M.A., Norfolk State University; M.S., University of Maryland - Global Campus; Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)

Lora Cubbage; Adjunct Instructor
B.A., North Carolina A&T State University; J. D., University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill

Keith L. Coleman; Senior Lecturer
B.S., University of South Florida; M.A., University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Rebekah Denning; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., M.S., Guilford College

Cortney Edwards; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., Alabama State University; M.A., Norfolk State University

Andrew Kuo; Lecturer
B.S., Chung Shan Medical University; M.A., University at Albany State University

Olivia McDonald; Adjunct Instructor
B.A., Winston Salem State University; M.S., North Carolina Central University

Lyneice Lewis; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., Virginia State University; M.S., George Mason University; Ph.D., Walden University

Saiyani T. Mukombe; Adjunct Instructor
B.A., M.A., Wake Forest University; J.D. North Carolina Central University

Jeremiah Kwame Opata; Adjunct Instructor
B.A., North Carolina A&T State University; J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law

Darien Robinson; Lecturer
B.A., Winston Salem State University; M.S., The George Washington University

Savaun Perry; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., University of Maryland - College Park; M.S., North Carolina Central University; J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law

Kenneth Strickland; Adjunct Instructor
B.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.S., East Carolina University