Criminal Justice, Sociology, Justice and Peace Studies
The world is changing constantly, and keeping up with these changes requires strong communications and critical thinking skills, working across differences with teammates from diverse backgrounds, and cultivating effective strategies for change.
The Department of Justice and Society Studies offers programs in criminal justice, sociology, and justice and peace studies, and teaches you to analyze problems of violence, injustice, and social inequalities with the goal of strategically enacting positive and sustainable change in society. Through these programs, we explore complex social contexts and strive to create justice by focusing on theory, research and practice.
Our department offers a variety of rigorous and career-oriented degree programs that complement multiple majors and minors at the university.
The criminal justice program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training to prepare students for the peace officer licensing examination in the state of Minnesota.
Sociology graduates can pursue multiple career paths depending on their interests and professional goals.
Criminal justice graduates can pursue careers in law, policing, corrections, victim advocacy and so much more.
A degree in justice and peace studies opens up opportunities in fields like law, medicine, counseling, education and more.
You can make an impact through student-faculty collaborative scholarship with real impact on our fields and in our communities. Our research includes discovery, artistic activity, pedagogical development and community-based inquiry and action.
Our faculty are active scholars and passionate teachers that are excited to meet and mentor you throughout your career at St. Thomas. Here is what a few of them have been up to lately.
Dr. Amy Finnegan (Justice and Peace Studies)
Dr. Amy Finnegan is a sociologist whose teaching and research interests include social movements and social change, peace and conflict, global health, human rights, medical sociology, globalization and health policy, service learning and African studies.
Dr. Tanya Gladney (Sociology & Criminal Justice)
Dr. Tanya Gladney's research focus is on historical and contemporary inequalities within social institutions. Dr. Gladney currently works with local police departments by providing and assisting with Cultural Awareness and Implicit Bias Training.
Dr. Mike Klein, Department Chair (Justice and Peace Studies)
Dr. Klein teaches, researches and consults on democratizing leadership, peace education and pedagogy, intersections between art and social justice, and pre-conflict peacebuilding. He develops the agency of students and communities to transform social structures and advance social justice.
Questions? Please reach out if you want to learn more about our department and programs.
Tel: 651-962-5630
Email: mcklein@stthomas.edu
Fax: 651-962-5682
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University of St. Thomas
St. Paul Campus
O'Shaughnessy Educational Center
4th Floor, room 431
Campus Location
We are located on the fourth floor of the O'Shaughnessy Education Center in room 431.