Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies provides students with a critical understanding of the total system of justice and the society in which it functions. Faculty members are committed to preparing students to move successfully into legal studies careers or graduate work.
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About the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies (CJLS) is home to more than 600 undergraduate and more than 50 graduate students. CJLS includes faculty and instructors with a wide range of experience and expertise in legal studies and policing, courts, and corrections. We also have a deep scholarly interest in criminal justice, criminological theory, victimology, race and crime, homeland security (just to name a few).
The Department of CJLS provides students a critical understanding of the total system of justice and the society in which it functions. At the same time, as part of the School of Applied Sciences, the faculty members are committed to preparing students to move successfully into legal studies careers or graduate work.
In addition, the department is also home to the Center for Evidence-Based Policing & Reform (CEBPR), which was founded through a donation by actor Mr. Morgan Freeman and Dr. Linda Keena.
The Mission of CJLS
Our mission is to educate students in a learning environment conducive to excellence in meeting the complex challenges present in justice-related services. Our faculty’s role is to expand the knowledge base and to integrate cutting-edge information into the learning experiences of students.
The Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies strives daily to extend service to our constituents in order to enhance learning, program development, research, and justice-related service in Mississippi, the region, the nation, and around the world.
Meet the Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty
Wes Jennings
- Chair and Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Francis Boateng
- Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Brian Boutwell
- Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Katharine Brown
- Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Rachel Greenspan
- Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Danny Hall
- Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Jeffery Johnson
- Lecturer in Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Kimberly Kaiser
- Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies and Graduate Program Director
Dave McElreath
- Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Roun McNeal
- Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Justin Moody
- Instr Asst Prof in Depart of Crim Just & Legal Studies
Abigail Novak
- Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Tom Smith
- Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
D'Andre Walker
- Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Terry Lyons
- Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Linda Keena
- Associate Professor Emerita of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Linda Keena
- Associate Professor Emerita of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies