The Department of Criminal Justice began in 1971 as a part of the Department of Psychology and originally was called the Correctional Services Program. The program became the Department of Criminal Justice in 1973. As the name change signified, the new Departmental curriculum emphasized all aspects of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The Department serves approximately 215 undergraduate majors and 35 graduate students. It graduate an average of 40 undergraduates annually and three to four graduate students.
Graduates pursue rather diverse interests upon completion of their studies.
Several annually continue their studies in graduate school or law school. Those who pursue careers are employed in federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies in corrections or law enforcement, social work, or related fields. The Department has of Criminal Justice is housed in the Graduate Building, or Crouch Hall, occupying six offices on the third floor. The Department has two student organizations. The student honor society is Lambda Tau Epsilon, which requires students to have attained at least sophomore standing and a certain grade point average to apply for membership.