Why Justice and Policy Studies at Guilford?
The Department of Justice and Policy Studies offers two courses of study for students who wish to influence policy and support their communities through public service: Community and Justice Studies and Criminal Justice.
In Community and Justice Studies, students integrate scholarship from social theory with community engagement to investigate policies and strategies of public service organizations. An interdisciplinary approach allows students to work with other related academic departments and community groups to examine values in public policies, civic activism and strategies for changing organizations. Community problem-solving builds students’ individual and team communication skills while fostering critical thinking abilities. Students explore the processes for building community as a foundation for peaceful coexistence and responsive leadership.
Community and justice Studies graduates have pursued graduate study and careers in urban affairs, public administration, law, social work, education, and related vocations. Graduates also have undertaken careers in community organizing and in nonprofit community service organizations focusing on mediation and conflict resolution, and other social issues.
The Criminal Justice major focuses on policies, history, and problems of the American criminal justice system. Sociological, psychological, and political-ideological thought are examined as students explore the questions of criminal justice policy and practice. Sociological jurisprudence and the legal system are considered as instruments of both stability and social change and the study of ethics, justice, discretion and organizational dynamics builds communication and critical thinking skills. This enables graduates to pursue careers in criminal justice fields such as law enforcement, corrections or juvenile justice as well as graduate studies in criminal justice, law, urban studies, and public administration.
