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University’s Criminal Justice Program Excels as Interest Grows
Harry R. Dammer, Ph.D. is chair of The University of Scranton’s Criminal Justice department, which has started several innovative collaborations with fellow University programs in recent years.
With the introduction of several innovative collaborations with fellow University programs and a dedicated emphasis on up-to-date curriculum, Scranton’s Criminal Justice department strongly adheres to its three main objectives: maintaining a distinctive program, offering a high-quality education, and remaining in accordance to the University’s Jesuit and Catholic mission.
These initiatives have the department excelling as interest in criminal justice heightens.
“Criminal justice is a growing major everywhere in the country, especially in the post-Sept. 11/Homeland Security era,” said Harry R. Dammer, Ph.D., chair of The University of Scranton’s Criminal Justice department. “Criminal justice is really flourishing and our department has a lot of good things going on here. We are working very hard to improve and increase the rigor of our program.”
In the past five years, the Criminal Justice department has aligned itself with other University of Scranton departments, leading to the implementation of several groundbreaking programs of study, including:
- a Forensic Chemistry program with the Chemistry department;
- a Criminal Justice concentration in the Rehabilitation Counseling track of Counseling and Human Services department; and
- a five-year BS/MS program where students earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in business in five years.
The department also raised the number of electives criminal justice majors may study, increasing the opportunities for students to double major.
The program’s mission is to produce well-rounded, complete students, says Dr. Dammer. “We want to be able to distinguish our graduates from graduates at other universities. Plus, through our collaborations, our students can utilize other good departments on campus.”
With their curriculum in line with the accreditation standards of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Scranton’s Criminal Justice department intends to earn accreditation status within the next three years. Scranton would join a select group; fewer than 10 criminal justice programs are accredited in the country.
Dr. Dammer believes his department’s goal is within reach because of its commitment to continuous improvement, and its faculty comprised of active or recently retired practitioners who ensure that course material is contemporary, realistic and interesting.
In the past four years alone, the department’s faculty members have published nine books – with two more soon forthcoming – in topics ranging from economic crime and intelligence-led policing to international criminal justice and crime prevention.
The faculty includes lawyers, international scholars, former probation and law enforcement officers, Fulbright scholars, and several renowned researchers, whose work has been published in prominent publications, including most recently in The New York Times.
“Our faculty are a good mix of people who understand theory and research, and people who have real-world experience,” says Dr. Dammer. “They are publishing research on cutting-edge topics, on subjects that are viable to what’s going on in today’s world.”
