The department currently has 36 full-time faculty members and employs a number of outstanding adjuncts drawn form Central Florida's professional community. To complement the faculty, we have a full-time support staff of six, two of whom are full-time student advisers.  Current enrollment in both our criminal justice and legal studies programs exceeds 1500. We accommodate these students by offering a full-range of classes around the clock and throughout the region.

Our Commitment
The department is committed to providing the citizens of Central Florida — from Ocala to Palm Bay — with a full range of services. This commitment is reflected in our mission statement:

The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida provides excellence in teaching, research and service. Dedicated to its students, the faculty delivers outstanding instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, incorporating learning, service and inquiry. The department also conducts quality research and pursues local, state and federal funding to advance knowledge in our disciplines. By actively developing meaningful partnerships, it provides exemplary service to the university and the broader professional and academic community.

Criminal Justice Programs

For those interested in criminal justice, our department offers a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, a minor and five undergraduate certificate programs (Crime Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Profiling, Victim Advocacy and Security Management ). We also offer undergraduates a series of service-learning courses; a dynamic internship that places students in a wide variety of criminal justice agencies (local, state and federal); and an honors program.

At the graduate level, we offer a Master of Science and four graduate certificates (Corrections Leadership, Crime Analysis, Juvenile Justice Leadership and Police Leadership). We also participate in the Doctoral Program in Public Affairs by supporting a specialized track in criminal justice.

The department blends the latest technological advancements in criminal investigations with a public policy approach to examining crime, criminals and justice policy. In Orlando, the department operates a fully functioning crime-mapping lab with the latest software.    

Legal Studies Programs
In legal studies, we offer a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a minor. Students in these programs may elect to specialize in one of eight important areas of law: Law and Society, Sports and Entertainment Law, Litigation and Advocacy, Public Law, Criminal Law and Individual Liberties, Commercial and Transactional Law, Estates and Property Law, and Comparative and International Law. 

Our department also offers service learning, honors in the major and internship programs in legal studies, and it sponsors a highly successful trial team that competes nationally. Many of our legal studies graduates go on to law school and become successful lawyers in the community. Many others go on to careers in law-related areas.

    Legal Studies Student Reports on Washington, D.C., Internship

Student Organizations

Outside the classroom, our department sponsors several student organizations: 

Many of our students actively participate in these groups and work on a variety of service projects in the community. LAE sponsors a universitywide career fair every year with more than 75 agencies and law schools participating.

I invite you to visit our department and learn more about our programs, faculty and students. We have an exceptionally well-qualified faculty and take great pride in its publications, research, hands-on instruction, academic integrity and ability to provide personal attention to students.

Dr. Robert H. Langworthy, Ph.D.

Chair and Professor