UWL launches criminology major | All In Wisconsin

The newly added criminology main displays UWL’s dedication to scholar pursuits and neighborhood partnerships.

New program blends analysis, experiential studying to fulfill crucial want

UW-La Crosse is introducing a brand new main designed to fulfill rising scholar curiosity and regional workforce wants. 

Criminology shall be added as an provided main beginning this spring, after the Board of Regents accredited this system throughout its September assembly. The key is a long-requested addition that may give college students a deeper understanding of crime, prison habits and their influence on communities. 

“The place our present criminal justice minor focuses on the businesses of the prison justice system, college students of the criminology main will achieve in-depth schooling on prison habits itself and its ties to elements reminiscent of poverty, discrimination, trauma, psychological sickness and substance use problems,” says Professor Tim Gongaware, chair  of the Sociology & Criminal Justice Department.

This system will put together college students to evaluate and have interaction prison justice establishments, interpret analysis on crime and apply findings as they work with purchasers and organizations all through the neighborhood. College students achieve sensible expertise by means of course-embedded analysis, collaborative initiatives, community-based studying, intensive writing and a senior capstone centered on real-world, community-engaged experiences. 

Workforce demand was a key consider growing this system. 

“Criminology analysis identifies danger elements that may inform preventative measures,” the proposal to the Board of Regents states. “Employers in these areas want professionals who’re outfitted with the information, abilities and compassion to deal with criminogenic dangers recognized in communities.”  

Graduates might pursue careers in legislation enforcement, courts and corrections, but in addition in well being companies, counseling facilities, faculties, personal business and community-based prevention applications. 

“For a few years, we’d heard from our present college students that they wished we provided a significant in both criminology or prison justice,” Gongaware explains. A survey of UWL prison justice minors discovered that roughly 75% would doubtless declare a criminology main if out there, and a few had thought of transferring to colleges that provided this system. 

“College have additionally heard from a wide range of regional employers that they’re in search of to rent folks in crime-related fields of examine,” Gongaware provides. “Because the variety of neighborhood companions associated to criminology grows, including this program will extra adequately meet the wants of those employers and people of our college students by rising alternatives for internships, community-engaged studying and employment.” 

With its mixture of hands-on studying, analysis alternatives and community engagement, the brand new criminology main positions UWL college students to make significant contributions in a variety of fields whereas addressing advanced social challenges and assembly the evolving wants of the area.