Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences Program

Both criminal justice and forensic sciences are interdisciplinary programs that expose students to the structure and process of the criminal justice system. The core courses required examine the function of law in society, the values underlying the criminal justice system, statutory definitions of crime, crime patterns, social policy on crime control, and the role of science in the criminal justice system.

The forensic sciences involve the application of scientific principles and analytical methods to civil and criminal investigations. Careers in forensic science are strongly interdisciplinary and require a strong background in the natural sciences, laboratory experience, and knowledge of the criminal justice system. Forensic scientists are variously involved with crime scene investigation, evidence collection, analysis and interpretation of evidence, and the communication of their results and conclusions in written reports and as expert testimony in a court of law.

Students pursuing a major/minor in criminal justice and/or a forensic sciences certificate may utilize their degree/certificate in a variety of venues including local, state, or federal law enforcement, corrections, social services, forensic science laboratories, medical examiner/coroner offices, governmental and non-governmental human rights organizations, private consulting businesses, and law. The location of Hamline in the Twin Cities offers students diverse opportunities for exceptional internships, research, and career networking through local criminal justice, law enforcement, legal, and forensic sciences agencies.

Criminal justice program director: Jerry Krause, criminal justice.
Forensic sciences program director: Susan Myster, anthropology/forensic science.

Admission for Postbaccalaureate Students

Students must have earned a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 from undergraduate coursework. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 651-523-2207 for application materials.

Honors and Student Activities

Students interested in undergraduate research should inform a faculty member; collaborative research projects with faculty are possible. Criminal justice and other social science majors may apply for the Carol Anderson Young Scholarship, which funds collaborative research. Students wishing to be considered for honors should request detailed information from program faculty no later than the beginning of spring of their junior year. Honors students must have a GPA of 3.25 or better in the criminal justice major, and honors projects must be approved by a majority of program members. Honors projects should exhibit distinctive scholarship, originality of thought, and a high degree of relevance to a major issue in the discipline. Other student activities include guest lectures featuring criminal justice/forensic sciences professionals, participation in the Innocence Project of Minnesota sponsored in the Law School, and tours of criminal justice/forensic science agencies such as the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and state prisons.

P.O.S.T. Certification

Selected coursework within the criminal justice program has been approved to satisfy the academic learning objectives required by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for licensure as a Minnesota peace officer. Students interested in such licensure should contact the criminal justice program director for further information and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible after their enrollment at the university. General information may also be found at www.hamline.edu/cla/_acad/depts_programs/criminal_justice/peace_officer_certification_in_minnesota.html.

Faculty

Margaret Jensen, professor, sociology. Honours BA 1971, MA 1974, PhD 1980, McMaster University. Criminology, family

Jerry Krause, professor, criminal justice. BS 1978, Mankato State University; JD 1984, University of Wisconsin Law School. Managing Editor, Wisconsin Law Review; Hennepin County, Minnesota & American Bar Associations. Criminal justice, criminal law and procedure, law enforcement. Minnesota P.O.S.T. coordinator.

Susan M.T. Myster, associate professor, anthropology. BA 1984, Hamline University; MA 1989, PhD 2001, University of Tennessee. Biological anthropology, human osteology, prehistoric population relationships and migration patterns, human evolution, forensic anthropology.

Faith O’Reilly, professor and pre-law advisor emeritus. BS 1974, Western Carolina University; JD 1982, Drake University School of Law; LLM 2003, University of Iowa School of Law. International law, civil and constitutional litigation; criminal appeals and alternative dispute resolution, mock trial coach. Lewis F. Powell advocacy medal, Congressman Neil Smith Award; American Mock Trial Association, Board of Directors.