Welcome from the Chair

The Department of Criminal Justice is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service.  Our faculty is comprised of nationally recognized scholars focusing on interdisciplinary solutions to the complex problems of crime and disorder.  The department educates students in the theoretical, practical, and empirical aspects of criminal justice in preparation for professional service in both governmental and private entities, and advanced graduate studies.  Our department works with various community agencies and organizations to promote knowledge and understanding of the people, cultures, processes, and practices relevant to this dynamic field of study.

The department has a strong focus on research and scholarship that strengthens the university’s mission to enhance such activities at the national and international level.  Additionally, programs within the Department are internationally recognized.  For instance, we have recently developed a core cognate area in Information Security and Law for the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Information Science and we have a new proposal under consideration for a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Administration and Policy.  Our Masters of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program has attracted over 80 majors, and has garnered international attention through our cooperative program with the Turkish National Police.  Criminal Justice is the university’s sixth largest undergraduate major on campus. 

The Department of Criminal Justice has an unlimited potential!  We believe that no other discipline holds such hope for expansion and capability for economic and student success.  The general public continues to find interest in the problems of criminal justice, and these problems continue to be the focus of political and community leaders.  The events of September 11, 2001 focuses attention on criminal justice and national security matters, and opens new avenues of teaching, research and service.  Terrorism, intelligence analysis, and information security have been a major focus within the department and will undoubtedly, become more serious research and training areas for faculty members in the future.  It is precisely these types of initiatives that complete the mission, goals, and objectives of the University of North Texas. 

We appreciate you visiting our web site.  If further questions arise regarding one of our programs or our department, do not hesitate to ask us directly.  Thank you for your interest in Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas.

Robert Taylor
Chair,  UNT Department of Criminal Justice