UC IRVINE TO OFFER ONLINE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN CRIMINOLOGY, LAW AND SOCIETY

New Master of Advanced Study Degree Geared to Working Professionals

The UC Irvine School of Social Ecology's online graduate degree program in criminology, law and society--the first online graduate program offered at a UC campus--has been approved by the UCI Academic Senate. Pending approval from the UC Office of the President, UCI's Department of Criminology, Law and Society will offer the first classes for the master of advanced study (M.A.S.) degree in summer 2002.

UCI's criminology, law and society department is recognized internationally for its quality and innovation and is ranked first in the nation in publication productivity of graduate students. The new M.A.S. degree will reflect the department's double focus on criminology--including crime rates, white-collar and corporate crime, gangs, hate crimes and prisons--and law and society, which includes dispute settlement, the legal profession, law and social change and public policy.

"We are pleased to offer this creative approach to the advanced study degree, which is designed to accommodate working people," said Executive Vice Chancellor Michael Gottfredson, who also holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society.

C. Ronald Huff, dean of the School of Social Ecology and professor of criminology, law and society, said: "The online program is a significant addition to our graduate programs and reflects the School of Social Ecology's tradition of interdisciplinary innovation."

Though at least a third of U.S. educational institutions offer an online degree program, and several Cal State University campuses offer on-campus criminology or criminal justice masters' programs, the online graduate program at UCI is unique, according to Henry Pontell, professor and chair of criminology, law and society.

"Ours is the only criminology, law and society program in the country, and has a broad-based interdisciplinary foundation for the study of social policy and legal issues as well as criminology and criminal justice," Pontell said. "With an online master's program, UCI now can provide much-needed access to post-baccalaureate education for leaders in law enforcement and other students. A high-quality online graduate program is particularly important in the case of this degree, as it will reach many of the criminal justice and legal professionals who are helping to shape the everyday realities of crime law and justice, as well as participating in policy-making that could significantly improve public safety in California."

An estimated 45 students--most likely people who are working in corrections, probation, police/sheriff departments, criminal prosecution and defense and civil law--are projected to enroll in the first class. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree with 3.0 grade point average, three letters of recommendation and a Graduate Record Examinations minimum combined score of 1,000. Following a weeklong orientation on campus, where they'll have an opportunity to meet faculty and fellow students, the M.A.S. students will begin a two-year course of study.

Courses will be taught by the Department of Criminology, Law and Society's 21 faculty members and part-time instructors including two Superior Court judges, with additional faculty recruited from the School of Social Ecology and other areas.

UCI's School of Social Ecology is a pioneering program that serves as a national model for interdisciplinary, socially responsive education and research. In addition to criminology, law and society, its academic departments include environmental analysis and design, psychology and social behavior, and urban and regional planning. The school offers five bachelor's degrees, as well as four master's degrees and seven doctorates. The school has more than 1,600 students, with more than 6,000 graduates working in fields as disparate as health care and architecture.

For additional information about the online master of advanced study degree in criminology, law and society, call (949) 824-5575.

Contact:
Karen Morris
(949) 824-7913
ksmorris@uci.edu

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