Criminal Justice, Anthropology, and Forensic Studies
Degree programs in criminal justice, anthropology and forensic studies equip students with the education necessary to excel in some of the most interesting and emergent career fields of the 21st Century.
 Outstanding student scholarship Graduate student Ashley Aldan's thesis compares six methods of sex determination to establish which method(s) produce the most accurate results. |
Edinboro University’s Department of Criminal Justice, Anthropology, and Forensic Studies seeks to empower students as outstanding citizens and leaders by promoting creative and critical thinking, self-growth, empathy and moral responsibility toward others, and an enduring respect for knowledge and its practical applications. The Department is distinguished by outstanding faculty members who possess wide-ranging expertise in policing, corrections and criminology, as well as real-world experience as forensic scientists, criminal investigators, probation officers and anthropologists.
The Department endeavors to create a synergy between academic disciplines by harnessing the fundamentals of the social sciences: the scientific method, theoretically and methodically sound research and the dissemination of research to academic communities and to the broader public for the greater good of society. Graduates of the department possess a broad spectrum of research, analytical, and communication skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of their major. Students will also develop an appreciation for interdisciplinary endeavors and life-long learning.
Because of the sophisticated educational experience students receive, alumni have found success as federal, state, and local law enforcement agents and investigators; prison managers, probation officers, and other types of corrections officials; archaeologists and university professors and teachers.
Majors & Programs
Bachelor's
DescriptionAnthropology is the study of humankind. Of all the disciplines that examine aspects of human existence, only Anthropology explores the entire span of the human experience from human origins to contemporary cultures and languages. Anthropology is particularly valuable for students planning careers in which an understanding of human behavior and cultural diversity is essential. Students can pursue careers in fields such as medicine, public health, nursing, law, education, business, and social welfare. Anthropology is also an ideal major for those seeking a strong liberal arts education for employment in an increasingly interdependent and multicultural world.
DescriptionGraduates of the Bachelor of Arts Anthropology - Forensic Anthropology concentration will be able to:
- Develop and demonstrate basic knowledge & understanding of key concepts associated with the sub-fields of archeology, physical anthropology, and cultural anthropology.
- Develop in-depth knowledge & understanding of the field of forensic anthropology.
- Understand the role of forensic anthropology in the medical and legal community.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the culture concept and of related concepts, including cultural relativism and holism.
- Develop knowledge of and demonstrate understanding of the scientific method as well as research, analytic, and interpretive methods used in forensic anthropology.
- Demonstrate the ability to make informed and ethical decisions pertaining to matters of human diversity and cultural and biological/genetic property.
- Develop and demonstrate written and oral communication skills.
DescriptionThe BA in criminal justice at Edinboro provides students a fundamental background in all major fields of criminal justice as well as the opportunity to tailor their upper-level coursework to a specific area of interest.
The BA in criminal justice goes beyond narrow vocational training to treat the study of criminal justice as a social science, enhancing student understanding of the dynamics of human behavior and improving a student’s ability to engage in critical thinking and written and oral communication. Students also develop skills in basic statistics, research, and applied ethics, making graduates marketable for a wide-range of career opportunities.
Associate
DescriptionThis program provides students a fundamental background in the areas of criminal justice (e.g. policing, courts and corrections), and the role of criminal justice in a broader society. This background also prepares students to continue their criminal justice education at the baccalaureate level.
Minors
DescriptionAnthropology studies people and cultures from around the world and through time. It covers a wide range of topics including forensic analysis of human remains, human evolution, the material remains of past cultures, and the world that humans create through their ideas and practices. Because anthropology is concerned with understanding human interaction, it is a useful minor for anyone planning a career that involves working with people, especially those from diverse cultures. A minor in anthropology also provides a global perspective and helps develop thinking skills critical to succeeding in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.
DescriptionArchaeology focuses on the systematic study of the human past through the excavation, recovery, and interpretation of artifacts and other associated material culture. Archaeologists are interested in the reconstruction of past lifeways and the interpretation of ancient social, political, and economic systems. A minor in archaeology will provide an introduction to past civilizations and cultures around the globe and to the analytical methods, techniques, and theories that archaeologists use. Students who complete the archaeology minor often pursue graduate training or find employment in areas such as writing or publishing, museums and galleries, government service, historical preservation, or careers in contract archaeology and cultural resource management.
DescriptionThe minor in Criminal Justice is designed to introduce students to the three major subsystems
of the criminal justice system—police, courts, and corrections. The minor includes exposure
to the significant functions of the criminal justice system and seeks to expose students to
important issues in context to modern society. Course work for the minor is designed in such
a way to lead interested students to easily transition into the major.
DescriptionThe Forensic Studies minor is comprised of a core of three courses that represent an introduction to two key methodological areas within the forensic sciences- criminalistics and forensic anthropology- as well as an overview of the nature of forensic inquiry. Students will then select one course to more fully develop their skills in an advanced level forensic course. In addition, the students will select three supporting courses from a variety of majors on a forensically related topic.
