Establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Kennesaw State University
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents today approved the request of President Betty L….
Georgia (Jan 10, 2002) — Establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Kennesaw State University
Staff
Abstract
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents today approved the request of President
Betty L. Siegel that Kennesaw State University be authorized to establish a major
in criminal justice under the existing Bachelor of Science‚ effective January 9‚ 2002.
The approved major in criminal justice responds to documented demands of currently
enrolled students‚ entering freshmen and presently employed criminal justice agency
personnel. The proposed program will serve those constituents of KSU interested in
careers in law enforcement‚ correction‚ courts (probation and parole) and private
or industrial security. According to Linda Noble‚ Dean‚ College of Humanities and
Social Sciences‚ "KSU has a strong history of program development that responds to
community needs. Our new criminal justice program is innovative‚ progressive and designed
to prepare criminal justice practitioners with a solid foundation of both skills and
knowledge."
The U.S. Department of Labor's 2000 − 2001 Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates
that "employment of police officers and detectives is expected to increase faster
than average for all occupations through 2008." The Georgia Department of Labor's
report entitled‚ 1996 − 2006 Planning for Tomorrow: Industry and Occupational Outlook‚
indicates that "employment in Georgia is projected to increase by more than 1 million
jobs in the next 10 years. The service occupations related to criminal justice will
increase by 30 percent." The Atlanta Police Department has a shortage of 480 police
officers‚ or 26 percent of their force.
The objectives of the program include providing students with practical experience
and knowledge of the criminal justice system‚ providing students with the skills to
exhibit technological proficiencies in addressing criminal justice issues and providing
specialized courses that will allow students to assume professional or managerial
careers in their chosen area of practice.
According to Lana Wachniak‚ Chair of the Department of Sociology‚ Geography and Anthropology‚
"People not only want to have a better understanding of the crime problem‚ many also
want to become a part of the solution. It is these individuals who will be the primary
beneficiaries of the new criminal justice major at KSU. The secondary beneficiaries
are members of the community; university educated criminal justice personnel make
better criminal justice practitioners. The major was developed through input from
academicians and practitioners. We believe that its timeliness‚ academic integrity
and innovation will attract students who are already in criminal justice and those
who are planning to enter the field.
The 120−semester−hour program will have an interdisciplinary focus‚ and the curriculum
will reflect selective courses from the social sciences. Students may choose one of
three concentration areas: criminal justice administration‚ forensic behavioral sciences
and technology and crime. All students will be required to complete an internship‚
as well as courses in cultural diversity‚ ethics and a second language. The program
will be administered through the Department of Sociology‚ Geography and Anthropology‚
located in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The institution anticipates enrollments of 60‚ 120 and 180 during the first three
years of the program.
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Kennesaw State University‚ a progressive‚ comprehensive institution with a growing
student population of 14‚000‚ offers more than 50 degree programs. Out of 34 institutions‚
KSU is the sixth largest in the University System of Georgia.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
