Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies

As a broadly structured interdisciplinary curriculum, the mission of the department is to provide students with knowledge of the historical, philosophical, social, political and legal theories, concepts, practices and events which shape the criminal justice system, its agencies and components in society.

The department demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of diverse ideas and experiences, which is reflected in our faculty, who are criminal justicians, criminologists, community activists, psychologists, political scientists, social workers, law and justice scholars and sociologists.

Focus on your interest with one of four concentrations:

• Criminal Justice
• Cyber Investigations
• Cyber Security Management
• Pre-Law

In addition to a concentration, you can combine a criminal justice studies major with a minor — or even a double major — and expand your possible career opportunities.

The Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies at the University of Dayton gives students a link between academics and a real-world working environment with a one-credit experiential learning requirement. Through experiential learning, our students develop knowledge, values and skills in experiences outside the traditional academic classroom.

The Inside-Out Prison Program challenges crime, justice and social stereotypes by facilitating meaningful conversations between individuals inside and outside of correctional facilities.

It goes beyond reevaluating basic notions of justice, providing outside participants with insight into correctional life and allowing incarcerated individuals to contextualize their experiences.

In addition to the undergraduate scholarships offered by the University, the criminal justice studies program offers the Sheriff Bernard "Beno" Keiter Memorial Scholarship Award.

This award annually recognizes the outstanding criminal justice studies junior and/or senior. Monies awarded partially defray the student's tuition during their selected year of study, while a plaque is given at the annual graduation banquet acknowledging their academic achievements and contributions to the program, the University and/or the community.