The state-of-the-art Criminology and Criminal Justice Department focuses on the causes
of and societal responses to crime and deviant behavior. We prepare students to address
the challenges of crime in society as criminal justice professionals, researchers,
and educators.
A Growing Field
With more than 600 undergraduate majors and a highly regarded graduate program (with a nationally ranked Ph.D. program), the Department of Criminology and Criminal
Justice is a vibrant and growing learning community dedicated to serving the needs
of its students, the state of South Carolina, and society at large. Students completing the program will be prepared to continue their studies at the
doctoral level or enter the field as practitioners.
Nationally Recognized Faculty
We have some of the nation’s best criminology and criminal justice researchers and
teachers on our faculty . Our professors actively engage in research with criminal justice agencies in South
Carolina, as well as those in other states and countries. Faculty research and teaching interests span a wide variety of topics, including policing, courts,
corrections, law and policy, criminological theory, sentencing, victimization, and
program evaluation. This work not only contributes to constant improvements in the justice system but
also brings real-world knowledge and experience to the classroom.
Preparing Students to Lead
Courses focus on problem-solving and critical thinking, and o ur graduates enter careers in law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, research,
and more. In addition, a degree in criminology and criminal justice is excellent preparation
for graduate studies or law school. Each year, a significant number of our graduates
go on for further education.
December 1 - Applications due for Spring 2020 admittance to the M.A. program
January 10 - Applications due for Fall 2020 admittance to the Ph.D. program (if you
would like to be considered for funding)
Research Spotlight
Professors Barbara Koons-Witt, Christi Metcalfe, and Robert Brame were awarded over
$300,000 to support a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Disparities
in the Criminal Justice System (DCJS) within the Department of Criminology and Criminal
Justice over the next three summers.
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