The Criminal Justice Program has its roots in the tradition and mission of the Christian Brothers. The Program supports the University’s mission to pursue the free search for truth by teaching its students the basic skills, knowledge, and values that they will need for a life of human dignity. The Program seeks to develop the full intellectual, personal, and social potential of our students in an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. In integrating LaSallian values with theory and practice, the Program seeks to cultivate in students a deep appreciation for the complexities of justice and crime, so that students may become knowledgeable and compassionate criminal justice professionals who particularly value ethical integrity, social justice, community service, and life-long learning.
- To develop competent criminal justice professionals grounded in theoretical and empirical knowledge, values, and skills necessary for work as practitioners or as a foundation for further study
- To sensitize students to the human impacts of crime policy, particularly ethical issues, and including differential impacts by race/ethnicity, social class, and gender
- To cultivate understanding of how theoretical aspects of criminal justice are applied in practice, including via classroom learning and field experience
- To enable students to appreciate the basic human dignity of persons deemed criminal or delinquent
- To instill in students an appreciation for the breadth of social science approaches to social problems, thereby fostering creative and critical thinking
- To provide an environment that motivates students to explore and reflect on the theory, organization, and functions of criminal justice processes