The goal of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is to provide you, the future professional, with a strong interdisciplinary foundation so that you can respond appropriately and ethically in challenging “real world” situations as you prepare for careers in criminal justice and emergency and disaster management or for further education.

We offer you the Criminal Justice Program—one of WCU's largest programs—with residential or online program options, and the online Emergency and Disaster Management Program with an option for a residential minor.

Whichever program of study you choose, you’ll find that theory and hands-on practice are brought together through the curriculum, internships, independent studies, and student-faculty interaction, a hallmark of our department.

You’ll learn from faculty with a wide range of expertise, experience, and interests. Recognized nationally for their research, these faculty members’ practical knowledge has been developed on the front lines of the criminal justice system in courtrooms, prisons, juvenile centers, and on the streets.

Transfer students are especially welcome to enroll in our programs. Visit the program of your choice and learn more about transfer admission, requirements, and credit.

Want to learn more about the department? Catch up on our news and events or contact us with your specific questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

In the photo: Local officials and volunteers take part in an emergency drill on WCU's Cullowhee campus (2004).

Department News

Congratulations to our December 2011 Graduates

Ninety-two students celebrated a milestone in December when they graduated with their bachelor degrees in criminal justice or emergency and disaster management. We congratulate these students on their success and wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Criminal Justice Degrees
 

Emergency and Disaster Management Degrees

Criminology and Criminal Justice Department to Offer Defensive Tactics Workshop

Working in criminal justice requires the skills, knowledge, and fitness to subdue subjects quickly and effectively with minimum risk to both the subjects and bystanders. Given the obligation to control and subdue subjects, this Department of Criminology and Criminal Jusice is offering a Defensive Tactics Workshop on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The workshop will be held in Reid Gym, Room 112. This workshop is designed to introduce criminal justice students to the techniques that law enforcement officers are expected to use in a reasonable manner to protect themselves and others, and subdue offenders.

Criminal justice students who wish to participate in this workshop must complete and submit a liability waiver form when registering. For more information regarding the workshop, please review the agenda and/or contact Dr. Steve Brown at browns@email.wcu.edu or 828.227.2172.

Professor Bob Berry and Dr. Tom Johnson Present Research Findings at the North Carolina Emergency Management Association Conference

Professor Carlie Merritt, Professor Bob Berry, and Dr. Tom Johnson recently attended the fall North Carolina Emergency Management Association (NCEMA) Conference in Hickory, NC. Professor Merritt worked with conference planners to schedule a higher education component to the conference for the first time. This component provided for the showcasing of research in emergency management education.

Professor Berry presented a paper entitled "Student Competencies in Higher Education Programs." Professor Berry is a member of a national committee that is working through the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD, to address educational outcomes in higher education emergency management degree programs. Professor Berry presented findings from his work with this committee.

Dr. Johnson presented a paper entitled Introduction to WebEOC in the Curriculum." Dr. Johnson has used WebEOC to facilitate online disaster exercises in some of his courses to help students better understand course material, become familiar with WebEOC, and learn to process information in a realistic disaster scenario. Dr. Johnson presented his findings from the analysis of the data he collected in these courses.

Dr. Brown, Dr. Hawley, and Dr. Kopak Present Research Findings at Southern Criminal Justice Association Conference

Dr. Steve Brown hosted a panel presentation of research findings at the 2011 Southern Criminal Justice Association Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The panel, entitled Familial Relationships Deviance, and Delinquency, included Dr. Fred Hawley and Dr. Al Kopak of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, Gina Hamilton, a student from Jackon State University, Amanda Evers, a student from the University of West Georgia, and Dr. John Wright, University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Hawley and Dr. Kopak presented their findings from their research entitled "The Family Ties That Bind: The Role of Family Factors in the Reduction and Prevention of Delinquency." Dr. Brown presented findings of his research with Dr. Wright entitled "Deadbeat Dads: Another Case of Constructing Deviance."