Why do people commit crimes? And how do societies treat criminals or people they deem to be deviant? What is the impact of crime on a community? These are just a few of the topics explored in the newly created CSUN major, Criminology and Justice Studies. This important degree promotes the theoretical, analytical, and practical understanding of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system from a social scientific perspective and a social justice perspective.
In addition to rigorous academic study of criminology and criminal justice based in critical thinking and application, the college also has established several internship programs that provide high-impact, hands-on training in the community. These important interactions provide students with a meaningful learning environment for application to criminal justice careers. Internship opportunities exist with the Los Angeles Police Department (primarily the Valley Bureau), Los Angeles City Attorney’s Community Justice Initiative program, Los Angeles Superior Court judges, and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County’s domestic abuse and family Self-Help Legal Access Centers. The department seeks to expand its reach into valuable community partnerships and internships with other relevant agencies.
Gifts to Criminology and Justice Studies support outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in their pursuit of effecting social change in criminal justice fields such as law enforcement, probation, prisons, correctional facilities, juvenile justice juvenile justice, victim advocacy, and crime and criminal justice-related programming. Scholarships are awarded to students in recognition of their exceptional work and recipients are recognized at the induction ceremony for Alpha Kappa Sigma, the criminal justice honorary society.
We need more ethical professionals focused on community justice. Your gift creates them.
