Historically Black Grambling State University in Louisiana has announced that it has received approval to establish a Ph.D. degree program in criminology and justice administration. It will be the first doctoral degree program offered at Grambling State University and the first program of its kind in Louisiana.
Scheduled to begin in fall 2022, the program will focus on the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior while examining the structure of the criminal justice system, its procedures and processes, and how they can work to provide a fair system for all.
The 57-hour program contains 21 hours of core courses, 12 hours of research, 12 hours of electives (specializations); and 12 hours of dissertation. It has two areas of concentration: Minorities and Social Injustice Policy, and Justice Policy and Administration. The program will focus on the systematic study of crime as a socio-pathological phenomenon, the behavior of criminals, and the social institutions that evolved to respond to crime. It includes instruction in the theory of crime, psychological and social bases of criminal behavior, social value systems and the theory of punishment, criminal law and criminal justice systems, rehabilitation and recidivism, and more.
“We are all elated to have such a timely program,” said Tazinski Lee, interim head of the university’s department of criminal justice. “The Ph.D. in criminology and justice administration will provide so many opportunities in the state of Louisiana, nationally, and globally for students.” Dr. Lee added that she sees the program as “a catalyst for community renewal which will offer insights as to designing and managing an effective criminal justice system; a system that provides equality and fairness for all.”
We certainly hope the majority of the incoming 1st year doctoral students are from the great state of Louisiana and especially ‘Native born Black Americans’. If not, something is inherently wrong with the program from the onset. In other words, we don’t want this program to morph into like the executive doctoral program at Alcorn State University.