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Department of Justice, Law & Criminology

Tackling Today’s Critical Challenges

Issues of justice, points of law, security concerns—we read about them every day. They stream across our screens. At the Department of Justice, Law & Criminology in the AU School of Public Affairs, we give you the tools you need to tackle today’s critically important challenges in criminal justice and criminology, terrorism and homeland security, and justice and law. 

Situated only a short distance from the seats of power and justice in Washington, D.C.—and just steps from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices—our programs put our students in the middle of one the best places to influence change. Our degrees blend many disciplines from the humanities and the social sciences, as well as the law, helping you to gain a comprehensive understanding of underlying issues. As you build a broad base in contemporary principles and research methods, you’ll also strengthen your practical skills and competencies. This, coupled with challenging internship and research opportunities, will give you a leg up in the job market.

Our faculty comprise some of our nation’s foremost experts. They conduct international research and work with policymakers and practitioners to craft solutions to some of our nation’s most pressing security concerns. Through our renowned research centers, their scholarship is shared with the greater Washington community, across the nation, and around the world.

If you want to be part of developing tactical approaches and strategic security solutions our nation can use, it’s all here at the AU School of Public Affairs Department of Justice, Law & Criminology.

Be part of the next generation of experts in the field—join us.

Working in the Criminal Justice System: Part 1

Hear from SPA Prof. TaLisa J. Carter on her recent honors class "Working in the Criminal Justice System," the importance of this topic and how we have all the ingredients to reform the criminal justice system.

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Book cover. Tricia Bacon. Carter Malkasian.

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