While teaching students to critically analyze and better understand issues related to crime and criminal justice in the classroom, faculty members conduct research which has consistently resulted in widespread acclaim. Several studies in recent years have placed the department’s research productivity among the top criminal justice programs in the nation. In addition to housing cutting edge initiatives such as the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange, the International Law Enforcement Enterprise, and the Crime & Violence Prevention Policy Initiative faculty members participate in partnerships with various institutes and agencies including Georgia State University’s Partnership for Urban Health Research, Georgia State University’s Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University’s Women's Studies Institute, and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole. Two well-regarded scholarly journals, Criminal Justice Review and International Criminal Justice Review, have been published in our department ever since the journals were created. Faculty members’ on-going research projects continue to shape our understanding of crime and criminal justice.
Beyond advancing knowledge, faculty members serve their disciplines and the community in various ways. From serving on local, regional, state, and national advisory boards to providing expertise to regional, national, and international associations, our faculty members have demonstrated commitment to using their knowledge and skills to advance scientific and societal interests.
Perhaps most importantly, our graduates report great success in finding their chosen careers. To help in this endeavor, the Criminal Justice Student Association hosts a career fair every spring and several other events each semester. As well, the department’s internship program assures that undergraduates will have the opportunity to integrate academic coursework with real world experiences. At the graduate level, students are given the opportunity to work closely with scholars dedicated to expanding students’ horizons. Collectively, more than 3,000 alumni have graduated from our department. Turning well-qualified majors into well-qualified alumni is at the heart of our mission.
Please browse through the pages of our website and feel free to contact me if our department can be of service to you in any way.
Brian K. Payne, PhD
Chair and Professor
bpayne@gsu.edu
