Student Life

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Faculty in the Department of Criminal Justice believe that some of the richest learning experiences can happen beyond the traditional classroom. As a student in the Department of Criminal Justice, you will experience a wide variety of learning activities offered outside of the classroom. Great partnerships and relationships with local agencies and community organizations provide opportunities for students to have direct contact with criminal justice professionals and to engage in community and social justice research, service and advocacy. For example, Criminal Justice students can often be found in the community working with area youth, assisting people who are homeless, participating in community development initiatives, and working with local service providers to assist those who are released from prison as they return to the community.

For example, you might have the chance to meet the warden of a federal prison or have a conversation with the coordinator of the local Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, which provides intensive case management and diverts some individuals away from criminal justice processing and into drug treatment. If you take a service learning class, you may earn certifications in the areas of mediation and/or Guardian ad Litem advocacy, serve as a mentor to youth in Teen Court, assist with social action research, or engage in activities that address justice related issues in the community. If you have a desire to travel the world you may join your peers on the trip of a life time, such as a criminal justice-themed study abroad excursion to London.

Internships

Internships are designed to give you the opportunity to obtain real-life career experiences and to enhance your credentials. Internships provide you with the building blocks you need for your future and many internship opportunities help set the foundation for your career. It is important that you choose your internships based on your interests within the criminal justice field as well as potential career prospects. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to get your foot in the door with an agency. Keep in mind, employers often use internships as a recruitment tool to test out future employees, and in many cases, agencies and organizations hire interns after graduation. Internships are beneficial experiences to help improve your chances as a job applicant. You will get the opportunity to showcase your knowledge of concepts and theories learned in the classroom. 

Clubs and Organizations

We have two clubs available for Criminal Justice students. The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) is a national organization made up of students, professionals, and professional leaders working to improve the administration of justice. The student chapter of NABCJ at Fayetteville State aims to be involved in both campus and community activities to raise awareness about criminal justice related issues while promoting camaraderie among Criminal Justice students. For more information on joining NABCJ or current NABCJ events please contact the faculty advisor, Dr. Zahra Shekarkhar, at zshekark@uncfsu.edu or (910) 672-2094.

Alpha Phi Sigma is the official honor society of criminal justice and law students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. To be eligible to join Alpha Phi Sigma, students must have a declared major or minor in Criminal Justice and a 3.2 grade point average.