Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Justice, Law and Society at American University.  The department is home to some of the country's leading scholars in criminology, criminal justice, and law and society.  Our distinctive department blends the work of scholars from many disciplines, including both the social sciences and the humanities.

We offer degree programs at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels.  Our students benefit from small class sizes, renowned faculty with a wide range of expertise, the ability to work closely with faculty on specialized research projects, and unparalleled internship opportunities in our nation's capital and beyond. The department helps students find their niche in this world, mentoring them, guiding them, and helping to shape their future.

The department is truly interdisciplinary, carrying out research on a variety of important issues, including crime, violence, human rights, civil liberties, terrorism, policing, punishment, and constitutional law, to name just a few. Students and faculty, drawing on the vision and resources of a premier global University, are also engaged in transnational research on these and other topics. The department is home to empiricists who study these issues from a social scientific perspective and humanists who study them from philosophical, historical, and legal perspectives. Many of these research projects are funded externally by governments and foundations, providing unique opportunities for students at all levels to work with faculty on cutting-edge research. We also collaborate often with our University partners in the Justice Programs Office and the Washington Institute for Public and International Affairs Research.

An important part of our mission is to train graduate students, helping to shape the next generation of scholars and policymakers. Our graduates have gone on to successful positions in academia, government, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, our faculty members have been recognized for their accomplishments with a variety of prestigious awards, invitations to speak at national and international conferences, and service on editorial and advisory boards.

Our location in Washington, DC enables us to attract the very best faculty and students. We encourage our students to take advantage of the rich cultural and professional opportunities this great city offers. As a department, we are fully immersed in our community and committed to connecting our students with its many resources and opportunities.

We invite you to explore our website for information on our degree programs and course offerings, faculty research, and other topics. If you would like more information or would like to arrange a visit, please contact us at (202) 885-2948.

Edward R. Maguire, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Chair