Department of Social Sciences
Justice Studies Program
What is Justice Studies?
The major in Justice Studies is an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree with a foundation in social science inquiry. With an emphasis on law and the social sciences, this unique contemporary degree represents the more current state-of-the-art setting for studying justice and provides a more comprehensive degree. Students develop an understanding of the nature of justice and analyze controversial justice issues through critical inquiry and social science investigation. Areas of emphasis include theories of justice; legal studies; social and economic justice; crime, violence, and injustice; justice and youth; gender justice; race/ethnicity and justice. The degree program includes a criminal justice emphasis for students interested in law enforcement and other criminal justice occupations; it does not include technical courses dealing with police procedures or other occupational training.
Why should I major in Justice Studies?
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum, the Justice Studies degree provides students with a broader intellectual capital than more traditional criminal justice programs. Many law enforcement agencies are now requiring a college degree, and employers in criminal justice agencies and social service professions are looking for graduates with a broad-based degree that includes more than one emphasis. The Justice Studies degree, combined with a minor field of study, gives students the opportunity to design an emphasis that suits their own career goals. The Justice Studies curriculum enables students to choose electives that form a secondary area of emphasis that complements their core Justice Studies courses.
Justice Studies majors choose a variety of career goals, including law school, law enforcement, probation and parole, social service agencies. Justice Studies majors choose from a host of innovative minor areas, including Political Science, Psychology and the Law, Sociology, Business and others.
Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies - Program Objectives
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, students should
- Be familiar with major theories and analytical approaches to justice studies
- Develop skills in making public presentations
- Develop interpersonal skills
- Design and conduct research projects
- Read and understand justice research
- Acquire practical experience in areas of justice studies (internship now optional)
- Be familiar with the major sub-fields of justice studies
- Develop writing skills
- Develop a fundamental understanding of cognate disciplines like political science, sociology, psychology (minor field)
- Use quantitative and statistical approaches to justice studies
- Develop reading skills
- Understand ethnic, gender, or cultural dimensions of problems and policies related to justice studies
- Understand ethical theories and their relevance for justice professions and policies.
The requirements for a Justice Studies major (http://www.pittstate.edu/pubs/catalog05-07/sosci.html#justicestudies)
Justice Studies Student Testimonials Justice Studies graduate "As a correctional case manager and Nick Booe; Police Officer, Investigator Current Justice Studies student "The Justice Studies program for me has established more of an educational atmosphere in regards to how I conduct my job as a police officer and investigator. Just in the last couple of years, my supervisors have noticed an increase in my attention to detail and my professionalism. I have always been professional, but when someone is attending an institution of higher learning, their professionalism increases. I have noticed I am more analytical when it comes to doing my job. The Justice Studies program at I highly recommend that students who want to go into law enforcement study in this program, as it will prepare you for the attention to detail and research development abilities. Other justice programs try to approach students with a "hands on" curriculum; in police work, this is not enough. With PSU's Justice Studies program, you are prepared to think methodically and intelligently. This is what agencies are looking for in officers."
Megan Norris; Correctional Case Manager
Faculty of Justice Studies Program
- Kathleen Cameron: Associate Professor
- Ph.D., Arizona State University, 1996. Teaching and research interests include the pedagogy of justice studies, gender and crime, jurisprudence, social and political change, hate crimes, and serial homicide. [Justice studies program coordinator; Graduate program (Justice Studies and Justice Administration) coordinator.] ( kcameron@pittstate.edu )
- Roy F. Janisch: Assistant Professor
- Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2004. Teaching and research interests include policing, corrections, and Native American sovereignty issues.