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UT Tyler Criminal Justice Graduates Among Best Nationwide, Achieve Top Ranking on Assessment Exam

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December 11, 2013

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

December 11, 2013

The University of Texas at Tyler 2013 criminal justice graduates are among the best in their field, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.

For the first time in university history, UT Tyler graduates scored in the top five percent nationally on the Education Testing Service Major Field Test for Criminal Justice.

The test is given to graduating criminal justice seniors and used to assess and compare the program’s effectiveness to programs at similar institutions nationwide. The exam covers criminological theory, the law, law enforcement, corrections, the court system, research methodology and statistics as well as critical thinking.

“To see our criminal justice students score in the top five percent in the nation speaks loudly about the dedication of our faculty and the quality of our students,” President Mabry said. “Through the efforts of our faculty to instruct students on relevant topics using the latest information and technology, scores on the field test have steadily increased over the past few years.”

In 2012 and 2011, UT Tyler criminal justice seniors were among the top 10 and 15 percent in the country, respectively.

The UT Tyler criminal justice program is housed within the Department of Social Sciences and reflects the curriculum recommended by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, which is the leading professional association for criminal justice professionals.

“We are very proud of our seniors. They are talented and hardworking,” said Dr. Barbara Hart, UT Tyler Department of Social Sciences interim chair and criminal justice program coordinator. “Each of the criminal justice faculty members at The University of Texas at Tyler is exceptional. They are dedicated teachers and have excellent credentials and experience. Students find them both accessible and willing to help.”

Students are introduced to a variety of theoretical perspectives and competing viewpoints throughout the curriculum and are equipped with the analytical and research tools for understanding and exploring issues in criminal justice.

The program provides superior preparation for careers in criminal justice and/or further study in graduate or professional school.

UT Tyler graduates are successfully employed in many different areas, including law enforcement, corrections, case management, computer crime investigation, forensic investigation, criminal intelligence, homeland security, probation and social services.

“Graduates are valued by professional agencies and hold positions at federal, state and local levels of the criminal justice system as well as leadership positions with other government agencies and nonprofit organizations,” Hart said.

UT Tyler offers both the bachelor of science and master of science in criminal justice. Courses are available during evening hours as a hybrid program as well as through traditional day classes, giving students greater flexibility in their schedules and cost-saving convenience. Through the new evening program that blends both online and on-campus learning, a criminal justice major may take two classes per semester and obtain the 36 hours needed in a three-year time period, Hart added.

A minor in criminal justice may be chosen to satisfy bachelor’s degree requirements in other fields.

For more information about the UT Tyler criminal justice program or to apply, contact Hart, 903.566.7426 or bhart@uttyler.edu or visit http://www.uttyler.edu/criminaljustice/.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 7,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.