Experiential Learning Requirement

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. Through experiential learning, CJSS students develop knowledge, values and skills in experiences outside the traditional academic classroom.

The experiential learning requirement can be fulfilled with a one-credit class through two options:

  • Option 1: Internship, which is a supervised, structured work experience related to a student's academic field that enables them to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while gaining valuable workplace.
  • Option 2: Service learning, which is a community-engaged learning that encourages students to apply their knowledge and skills creatively to address a particular need, social justice issues or ethical problems, contributing to the health and well-being of individuals in the community.

Please contact Susybel Kallsen if you have questions. Current students can find additional information on Porches.


Group of students who participate in the Inside-Out Prison Program

The Inside-Out Prison Program link-arrow link-arrow

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.


Omega Phi Delta and Alpha Phi Sigma

UD criminal justice majors can take learning beyond the classroom by joining Omega Phi Delta and Alpha Phi Sigma. Membership in Omega Phi Delta is open to any and all students; it was recently recognized as a top student organization on campus. Alpha Phi Sigma is an honor society limited to majors and minors in criminal justice studies.

  • Members of both groups are involved in community, regional and national criminal justice events, such as the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and others.
  • The organizations sponsor community, social and guest speaker events.
  • Both groups are involved in impactful and engaging volunteer efforts within the community of Dayton.
  • A number of federal government agencies will place Alpha Phi Sigma members one pay grade above entry level upon hiring.


Undergraduate Research Assistantships

The curriculum awards to the outstanding senior a research assistantship partially supported by the University's Fellows Fund and the program's own budget. The selected research assistant works directly with a number of criminologists on their research projects. The criminal justice studies research assistant's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Undertaking Literature Searches
  • Writing Abstracts
  • Collecting Data
  • Undertaking Computer Runs with SPSS-X
  • Organizing Data and Materials


Contact Criminal Justice and Security Studies
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 1447
937-229-2611 email