SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Dean: Daniel Maier-Katkin; Associate Dean: Thomas Blomberg; Director of Internship, Criminology, and Criminal Justice: Laura Bedard
The Florida State University has one of the oldest criminology programs in the world. Starting as a nondegree concentration in the School of Social Welfare in 1953, the program rapidly expanded and became the Department of Criminology and Corrections in the School of Social Welfare in 1956. The bachelor's degree program, master's program, and a joint doctoral program with sociology were established in 1956. An independent doctoral program in criminology was authorized by the Board of Regents in 1971. This doctoral program was the first PhD program in criminology established in the United States. In 1973 the department became the School of Criminology. In 1991 the school was renamed the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is located in the Hecht House.
At The Florida State University, the discipline of criminology and criminal justice is viewed broadly as encompassing the scientific study of crime, criminals, the lawmaking process, the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and the treatment of offenders. The program is interdisciplinary and integrative in nature, drawing upon many different disciplines and paradigms for theoretical and methodological approaches. Among these disciplines are sociology, psychology, political science, economics, anthropology, geography, public administration, urban studies, demography, history, philosophy, biology, social work, and law.
The criminology and criminal justice program focuses both on theory and on practice in the belief that neither stands alone. Sound practice demands sound theory, and theories are developed and modified through careful study as they are put into practice. Based on this perspective, the undergraduate program prepares individuals for a career in the criminal justice system, or some related field, or for additional study at the graduate level in criminology or law.
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to the bachelor of science (BS), bachelor of arts (BA), master of science (MS), master of arts (MA), and the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees. A distance learning master's of science degree program is available for professionals with at least two (2) years of experience. In addition to general criminology degree programs, a dual master's degree program is offered with the School of Public Administration and Policy. For undergraduates, certificates are available in corrections, law enforcement, and security administration. Evening programs are offered for undergraduate and graduate students.
Students majoring in criminology and criminal justice have an important opportunity for hands-on experience that is afforded by the school's internship program. The Florida State University's location in Tallahassee affords direct access to extensive research and employment opportunities. Tallahassee is home to various state and federal courts as well as several state correctional facilities, drug treatment facilities, a federal prison, and a variety of private sector opportunities. The legislature, governor, cabinet, attorney general, and Department of Corrections, Probation/Parole, and Law Enforcement are located in Tallahassee. Study at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice provides access to criminological facilities that match or exceed any in the nation.
Requirements
Admission for a Major
Students are eligible to major in criminology and criminal justice after completing a program of liberal studies with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. Enrollment as a major in criminology and criminal justice requires no specific lower-division courses as prerequisites.
All students of The Florida State University must fulfill the Liberal Studies Program requirements set forth in the "Undergraduate Degree Requirements" chapter of this General Bulletin. Successful completion of CLAST is also necessary. Transfer students who have earned an associate in arts degree from a Florida public community college or state university will be considered to have met the liberal studies requirement.
Major Requirements
To major in criminology and criminal justice, a student must complete forty-five (45) semester hours in criminology, including five (5) core courses. An optional one-semester full-time internship (CCJ 4940) is available to fulfill fifteen (15) semester hours of the required course work. A minor is not required by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice for completion of the major.
For students transferring from another four year university, at least twenty-seven (27) semester hours must involve courses taken within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; the University requires the last thirty (30) semester hours prior to graduation be taken at The Florida State University. In addition, all regular University requirements must be met for both the bachelor of arts (BA) and the bachelor of science (BS) degrees.
Core Courses
The core courses are Criminology (CCJ 3011), Law Enforcement (CJE 3110), Courts (CJL 3510), Corrections (CJC 3010), and Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology (CCJ 4700). The core courses are expected to be taken at The Florida State University. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) must be obtained in each core course.
Internships
A variety of internships are available at the local, state, and federal levels in the fields of law enforcement, courts, corrections, criminal justice planning, criminological research, and private sector opportunities. The internship is available for juniors and seniors who have completed the core courses (CCJ 3011, 4700; CJC 3010; CJE 3110; CJL 3510) and have satisfied the CLAST requirement. The intern receives a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grade, and full credit is given upon successful completion of both the academic component and the work hours.
Students are advised that information pertaining to all matters of public record, such as arrests and convictions, may be required by the agencies accepting interns. Although a reasonable effort is made to place a student in an internship, the University will not be liable if a student cannot be placed. Students are usually responsible for all living and transportation expenses during the field experiences.
Minor Requirements
A minor in criminology and criminal justice may be obtained upon completion of four (4) classes. Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ 2020) and nine (9) additional semester hours in criminology and criminal justice are required for a total of twelve (12) hours. CCJ 2020 (CCJ 1020) may be taken at the community college level prior to admittance to The Florida State University. Students cannot take CCJ 4905r, Directed Individual Study, or CCJ 4938r, Special Topics in Criminology, to fulfill the minor. Grades of "C–" or better are required for all coursework in the minor.
Certificates
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers three certificate programs: corrections, law enforcement, and security administration.
Honors in the Major
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice encourages its honors students to participate in the honors in the major program. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Program and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Special Programs
Juvenile Justice Role Model Development Program (JJRMDP)
The Juvenile Justice Role Model Development Program was established to meet a critical shortage of trained professionals for programs that provide young people with strong, positive role models in their communities. The Role Model Program is committed to the belief that the best time to intervene in the cycle of delinquency is with our youth. The Program's missions are to provide a pool of professionals in the area of juvenile justice who are uniquely trained, and committed to serving as role models to staff youth prevention, intervention, and redirection programs through the state and the nation.
Utilizing a specialized and innovative curriculum drawn from the disciplines of criminology, sociology, psychology, education, social work, and the humanities, role model students receive a unique blend of academic work and practical experience as volunteers in the community programs as well as in an internship.
Student Activities
The American Criminal Justice Association- Lambda Alpha Epsilon is devoted to continuing high levels of professionalism in all areas of criminal justice. Any student committed to the field of criminal justice is invited to participate. The chapter holds regular meetings to provide members opportunities to exchange ideas and information about their respective jobs and through the sponsorship of special programs of interest to the general membership. The Lambda Chapter of ACJA has much to offer students including a pistol team, a crime scene team, and an academic team.
Scholarships, Awards, and Financial Aid
There are several scholarships available to students majoring in criminology and criminal justice. Applications are available in the spring each academic year, in the Mary M. Harris Student Support Services Center in Hecht House. In addition to the application, students must supply an unofficial transcript. A faculty committee appointed by the dean selects the recipients.
Scholarships awarded to undergraduates include Kelley R. Ivey, Ernest Kearns Ponce De Leon, Jerry A. and Carolyn S. Glass, Frank A. and Lynn W. Baker, and Rob Williams memorial scholarships. In addition, the Joe Harris Memorial Award is presented yearly to an outstanding graduate teaching assistant.
Small loans are available to undergraduates from the Vernon Fox Student Loan Fund and the Tompkins Student Loan Fund. Further information on loans, grants, work-study opportunities, and scholarships are available from the school or from the University's Office of Financial Aid.
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