Higher education is key to effective criminal justice and security professionals
Life requires action. We act to survive or because we're moved emotionally. Criminal justice and security professionals act in service of a greater good—security and safety.
Fulfilling this responsibility requires a special individual—someone with a broad range of seemingly contradictory skills, no matter what level of service they provide. Effective leaders in police forces, criminal court systems, parole and government, corporate or private security services need to be analytical yet communicative, quick to act yet cautious, independent and a team player.
And, professionals who want to move into mid- and high-level management positions must have qualifications that are similar to CEOs and business executives. The complex responsibilities of today's criminal justice and security leader require a quality education.
College of Criminal Justice and Security
Because of increasing enrollment in our Criminal Justice and Security degree program, University of Phoenix created the new College of Criminal Justice and Security. My goal is to provide a quality education that develops the tools to help experts become leaders in their field.
My commitment as Dean is to continue to develop the curriculum of the College of Criminal Justice and Security to benefit professionals in the area of law enforcement, organizational security, criminal courts and corrections. I'm interested in helping the career professional gain the management and administrative tools to add to their opportunities.
Working learners can choose from several criminal justice and security degree paths including the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management. The curriculum is designed to provide core instruction in criminal justice and security as it applies to law enforcement, criminal courts, organizational security and corrections.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Security provides a foundation of knowledge that includes managing local, state or federal law enforcement, criminal court systems and corrections departments.
Faculty with working experience
One of the reasons I'm convinced that our new college will be a success is because of our faculty. We have former police chiefs and individuals who've worked in policing and security in national and international arenas on our teaching staff. Every instructor has working experience in the criminal justice and security field. Like all University of Phoenix faculty, they hold advanced degrees in addition to their valuable working experience.
Their practical experience brings real world situations into the classroom. This is critical, because not everything can be taught from a textbook. Books may be able to school students on basic principles and strategies of law enforcement investigation, or explain how to manage the security of people and assets, but many times the best way to learn is on the job.
For instance, moving a stagnant investigation forward may require creative and critical thinking while working through the components of the individual case. Learning through experience is best—second best would be having an expert with experience teach you how to use logic and creativity to solve this problem.
Our faculty paint a true picture of the day-to-day challenges that criminal justice and security professionals face. They share techniques that they've learned on the job. Students also receive the benefit of being involved in discussions that include insights into what it takes to be successful in the real world.
Growing through lifelong learning
Ideally, a commitment to lifelong learning will help leaders continue to progress and have the opportunity to conquer new challenges. I began college when I was a patrol officer in Wisconsin. There wasn't any online learning or accelerated programs at the time, so it took me 11 years to earn my bachelor's degree.
I've also earned my master's and Ph.D. degrees.
My career path has been interesting. I've served as Chief of Police for Villa Grove, Illinois, a small town outside of Champagne. I was also the Dean of Academics for the Haitian National Police Academy and managed international security forces in Bosnia and Kosovo. I've been a faculty member of University of Phoenix for 15 years and have recently been appointed Dean of the new College of Criminal Justice and Security.
My commitment
If you are committed to pursing a career in an area of criminal justice and security, University of Phoenix wants to provide you with an exceptional education so you can develop the tools that allow you to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you.
Criminal justice and security leaders—it's time for you to act and reinforce the skills you have to prepare yourself for any inevitability. Your responsibility is important and both the public and private sectors deserve your best.
