Department of Criminal Justice

The Department of Criminal Justice provides excellent educational opportunities for learning in a nurturing environment, combining teaching with service. Criminal Justice majors at Chowan University will gain vital skills and knowledge in the areas of criminal delinquent processes, criminology, law enforcement, law adjudication, and corrections while evaluating the moral and ethical issues of public servants.

"Chowan University's Criminal Justice Program did a fantastic job unveiling the massive amount of opportunities available after obtaining this degree. Throughout my journey, the professors were fully invested in providing all of their students with one-on-one guided support, as well as the necessary resources for each individual goal." - Recent Chowan graduate currently employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Welcome to Criminal Justice

Chowan’s Department of Criminal Justice is one of the largest departments on campus. We offer a variety of courses related to criminology and criminal justice. Some favorite courses are those with hands-on experience such as crime scene investigation. Each semester, the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Captain comes to share his expertise and fake crime scenes are set up in empty parking lots. Students learn triangulation, how to take measurements, correct position of photographing, and much more.

Our success rate is phenomenal in that 95% of our graduates are either employed or accepted into a graduate school of their choice upon graduation. A number of recent graduates are currently attending law school. We have students that were accepted into the University of Vermont Law, University of Houston, Campbell University, and the University of Mississippi. In addition, we have students employed as:

  • FBI
  • Secret Service
  • Probation Officer
  • Correction Officer
  • Law Clerk

At Chowan University Criminal Justice majors receive a general foundation of coursework and then the option of taking courses that interest them personally.

The Department of Criminal Justice offers the following degrees:

Criminal Justice, BS
Criminal Justice, AA

Chowan University also offers a Criminal Justice minor.

Students also connect classroom knowledge with real-world experience through membership in organizations specifically designed for students pursuing the Criminal Justice degree. The Chowan University chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society and the Criminal Justice Club offers students additional educational, service, and fellowship opportunities.

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Criminal Justice Careers

Possible Careers:
Probation Officer
Victim-Witness Advocate
Forensic Science Technician
Police Officer
Correctional Officer
Private Detective
Probation Officer
Security Guard
Homeland Security
Secret Service Agent
Crime Scene Investigator
Computer Forensics Investigator
Fish and Game Warden
Fraud Investigator
FBI Agent
CIA Agent
US Postal Inspector
Paralegal
Law Clerk
Immigration and Customs
DEA Agent

Richard Whitted (right) graduated from Chowan University and is now serving the US Secret Service.

Ashley Tackket serving in Norfolk, VA, pictured here with Dr. Woodard. 

Faculty

Cindy Britton, PhD
Adjunct Instructor in Criminal Justice
Christopher Langston, MA
Instructor in Sociology
Pamela Woodard, PhD
Chair, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice