Department Chair: Will LeSuer

Office: 1147 Ullsvik Hall
Phone: 608.342.1033
E-mail: lesuerw@uwplatt.edu

Mission Statement

We prepare students to move successfully into criminal justice, forensic investigation, and related careers as liberally educated people who are intellectually mature, ethically responsible, culturally aware, and knowledgeable about social justice concerns.

Majors

• Criminal Justice¹
• Forensic Investigation

¹

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice are available on the Platteville campus and online through the Distance Learning campus.

Minors

• Criminal Justice¹
• Criminology
• Forensic Investigation
• Natural Resources Law Enforcement

¹

Minor is available on the Platteville campus and online through the Distance Learning campus.

Certificates

• Law (see Department of Social Sciences)
• In cooperation with the Department of Psychology, undergraduate Criminal Justice majors may complete the coursework needed for the State of Wisconsin Social Worker Training Certificate.

Criminal Justice

Department website: https://www.uwplatt.edu/program/criminal-justice

Department Chair: Will LeSuer
Office: 1147 Ullsvik Hall
Phone: 608.342.1033
E-mail: lesuerw@uwplatt.edu

About the Criminal Justice Program and Major

The major in criminal justice provides a basic understanding of the criminal justice system and the society in which it functions. The first 60 credits are composed primarily of general education courses to develop a broad educational background, along with foundational criminal justice courses. After completion of 60 credits, in-depth knowledge can be obtained by careful selection of courses in policing, corrections, criminological theory, law, forensic investigation, Substance Abuse (AODA) counseling, private security, and more.

The UW-Platteville Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation programs have received national recognition for the superior quality of their internship programs. As a result, participation in internship programs is competitive. The programs reserve the right to refuse a student an internship if they are not a suitable candidate on the basis of scholarship, verbal ability, or character. To be eligible for internship, the student must have earned at least 60 credits plus 12 upper division criminal justice/forensic investigation credits and a 2.50 G.P.A.

In cooperation with the UW-Platteville Department of Psychology, undergraduate Criminal Justice majors may complete the coursework needed for the State of Wisconsin Social Worker Training Certificate.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the criminal justice program should:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts related to the interrelationship of various components within the criminal justice system
2. Apply criminological theories in explaining criminal behavior
3. Demonstrate the ability to formulate a problem/topic, assemble relevant research and resources, and analyze data
4. Evaluate social, cultural and technological change and its impact on the criminal justice system
5. Understand, analyze and evaluate social research; demonstrate a working knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
6. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of substantive areas within the discipline of criminal justice

7. Analyze the multifaceted nature of societal diversity and how it pertains to crime, offenders, victims, and the criminal justice and legal systems

General Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Total for graduation		120
General education		44-58
Major studies		36

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Total for graduation		120
General education		44-58
Major studies		36

Forensic Investigation

Department website: https://www.uwplatt.edu/program/forensic-investigation

Department Chair: Will LeSuer
Office: 1147 Ullsvik Hall
Phone: 608.342.1033
E-mail: lesuerw@uwplatt.edu

About the Forensic Investigation Program and Major

The forensic investigation major provides a thorough practical and theoretical study to the application of science within the investigative process. Students will explore the role that science plays in recognizing, documenting, collecting, and preserving physical evidence at crime scenes, and how this evidence is evaluated within a courtroom setting.

The UW-Platteville criminal justice and forensic investigation programs have received national recognition for the superior quality of their internship programs. As a result, participation in internship programs is competitive. The programs reserve the right to refuse a student an internship if they are not a suitable candidate on the basis of scholarship, verbal ability, or character. To be eligible for internship, the student must have earned at least 60 credits plus 12 upper division criminal justice/forensic investigation credits and a 2.50 G.P.A.

The UW-Platteville Departments of Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Biology, and Criminal Justice and Social Sciences cooperate in preparing students interested in becoming crime laboratory analysts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the forensic investigation program should be able to:

1. Explain how the discipline of forensic investigation contributes to the criminal justice system
2. Utilize and describe methods of collection, preservation, analysis, and comparison in forensic investigation
3. Identify the relevant legal and ethical issues involved in evidence collection and processing
4. Demonstrate proper logic, grammar, and style for writing forensic reports
5. Review forensic research for purposes of solving a forensic problem
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the social, historical, scientific, and technological changes relevant to the study of forensic criminology

General Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Total for graduation		120
General education		44-58
Major studies		36