JW Carter II, Ph.D.,  Chairperson

Students of criminology and criminal justice at the Mount study the nature and causes of crime and victimization, the behavior of criminals, and the process of the criminal justice system. Criminology and criminal justice are diverse fields grounded in philosophy that seek to address why people commit crime, as well as why and how people are punished, controlled, or rehabilitated.

Our curriculum emphasizes the acquirement of knowledge of various theoretical perspectives in the field, which students will then use to engage in critical thinking. Many of the required courses in criminology and criminal justice strive to systematically cultivate informed and ethical ways of thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, as well as to examine the resulting societal and legal reactions to crime and victimization. Our students use their knowledge of crime and criminal justice to think analytically, recognize bias, raise questions, think open-mindedly, and consider both the intended and unintended consequences of decisions and policies.

As members of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (www.acjs.org) and the Ohio Council of Criminal Justice Education (www.occje.org), our faculty promote ethical professional standards and work closely with students to engage in critical-thinking. Graduates of criminology are well prepared for careers in law enforcement, criminal investigation, corrections, probation, and further graduate studies in law, criminal justice, forensic science, or other professional studies. 

Encouraging Excellence in Academic Endeavors

The Criminology program strives for excellence in academic endeavors. Eligible students can apply for membership into the national criminal justice honor society, Alpha Phi Sigma. Honor society members are also eligible for scholarships, leadership training, and participation in national conferences.

According to a recent alumni survey, 80% of respondents felt the Mount’s Criminology program prepared them well for the professional world, 90% agreed they were prepared for leadership in the field, and 80% of respondents believed they were currently using the skills learned in the program. As a Department, we strive to have the experience and perspectives of faculty members reflect an accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the demands of criminology and criminal justice careers. The courses offered in our program reflect this goal and prepare students well for the future.

Service Learning

The Mount’s nationally-recognized Service Learning program allows students the option to obtain up to three additional academic credits, tuition-free, for faculty-supervised volunteer service in conjunction with selected criminology courses. Recent placements have included non-profit organizations that promote educational, gender, income, and/or environmental equality.

Co-op Opportunities

Many students elect to participate in the Mount’s cooperative education program as a way to gain valuable work experience and supplement their incomes while pursuing their academic goals. Placements in criminology and criminal justice have included the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshals Service, Cincinnati Police Department, The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, and GE Aviation.