Justice Studies Overview

The mission of the Justice Studies program is to analyze issues of justice and injustices within the societal contexts of human behavior in complex societies. Using interdisciplinary perspectives students critically examine the manifestation of this behavior through a Criminology or a Peace & Conflict perspective. Students are expected to develop an ethical awareness and the aptitude to decisively research a broad base of knowledge on issues of justice, crime, and the law.

The mission of the Criminology concentration is to offer a curriculum that seeks to understand the social nature of crime so as to develop rationale policies. In addition to studying courts, corrections, and law enforcement, students are expected to examine the law as a social product affected by cultural values, race, gender, class, or sexuality. They are expected to critically examine and assess the consequences of criminal behavior through the victim's and community's lenses, as well as the offender and the judicial system.

The mission of the Peace & Conflict concentration is to teach students how to analyze conflict, design peace building strategies, and work toward societal transformation. Students are expected to critically examine harmed relationships from multiple perspectives with ethically awareness. They are also expected to construct social justice advocacy projects based on human rights and human needs theories.

Intellectual Standards Established for New Major

In our new program in Justice Studies one can concentrate in Criminology or Peace & Conflict. Oklahoma City University's Department in Criminal Justice has followed the national evolution of the academic discipline. Overtime we have moved from the uncritical exploration of courts, corrections, and law enforcement to a more in-depth evaluation of these infrastructures to an even broader evaluation and analysis of the justice system. Our students are exposed to cutting edge research, knowledge, and practices in the field. Moreover, we have added the academic analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of how conflict and harmed relationships can result in violence or crime through the concentration in Peace & Conflict. Therefore, students can study one or both aspects of conflict, violence, and harmed relationships in contemporary society. We continue to be rigorous in our pursuit of knowledge and use the following principles for our academic programs:

Fair-mindedness, Intellectual Courage, Intellectual Integrity, and Reflection.

Enrollment Begins March 31, 2008

The summer and fall course schedules are out. Course enrollment begins March 31, 2008. Honor's students are able to enroll one day earlier. Please make appointments with your advisors as soon as possible. Enrollment will be taking place on the new Banner system and may require additional time.

The new Justice Studies major begins this fall with concentrations in either Criminology or Peace & Conflict. We have many exciting events planned for these new concentrations. In March of 2009 we are planning a spring break trip to London focusing on criminology and in May 2009 we are planning a trip to the University of Peace in Costa Rica for a special class focusing on peace and conflict. All new students will be required to take Introduction to Justice Studies. For those students wanting more information on the new program, please stop by the department.

This spring the students have been very busy touring local facilities. We have been to the Oklahoma County Jail, the Juvenile Detention facility, the Regional Food Bank, and Drug Court. In addition, many students have gone with the Oklahoma City Police Department on ride-a-longs. We want to thank Master Sergeant Michael Loruse of OKCPD; Ms. Andrea Williams of Ok County Juvenile Center; Ms. Melissa Smith of Ok County Drug Court, and Sgt. Arrington of the County Jail for all their help with the tours.

The Justice Studies program at OCU is an exciting place to study and learn. Students can concentrate on either Criminology or Peace & Conflict. The faculty-to-student ratio is low, interaction with the faculty is high, and the courses include cutting-edge material. Students can earn either a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology or Peace & Conflict. We also offer a Master of Science in Criminology.

Small seminar-type classes are taught by faculty holding doctorates in their respective fields. Our international students are from such places as Taiwan, Britain, Japan, Sweden, or Nigeria. In addition, our Study Abroad trips to places like London, Taiwan or Germany give students the opportunity to earn college credit through first-hand experience.

We offer an exceptional education in justice that challenges students with forward-looking issues and questions. Is restorative justice the lens of the future? Is justice as we know it today having an identity crisis? Is it vital to see through a multidisciplinary perspective to analyze criminal justice issues today?

Whether you desire to begin your career after your Bachelor's degree or continue on to graduate school, you will find the OCU Justice Studies program the place for a rigorous, thought-provoking education!