Criminology program hailed by national report


ASU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice program recently received high marks from the U.S. News and World Report in their national report on the nation's best graduate programs. The criminology program emerged with a No. 12 ranking.

“This ranking is evidence of the quality of the faculty and their research. The program has grown in quality and its impact on criminal justice research and practice in dramatic ways. We are helping to change both research and practice,” said Scott Decker, Foundation Professor and director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 

The school is a nationally recognized leader in higher education and is regarded for its distinguished faculty and research productivity. The school also is among the fastest growing programs at Arizona State University.

Located on the Downtown Phoenix campus, the school is situated near major criminal agencies – enhancing opportunities for instruction, practice and student internship. Criminology programs combine principles of sociology, law, and psychology to prepare students to deal with criminals, understand the justice system, and work to prevent crime.

The ranking comes on the heels of several national awards bestowed upon the program from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The award ceremony was hosted in 2011 and recognized Decker, who received the prestigious Bruce Smith Sr. award. The award recognizes a person who has actively been involved in criminal justice research and has made substantial contributions to the emerging body of criminal justice.

Two doctoral students and Nancy Rodriguez, a faculty member, also received awards for their academic work and research in the field of criminal justice.