FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 24, 2019
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University today received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its first Ph.D. program. The doctor of philosophy in criminal justice begins this fall, pending a green light from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Ph.D. will increase Tarleton’s degree offerings to 100. One of those is a doctorate in educational leadership (Ed.D.).
The new doctorate will combine criminology, criminal justice and strategic studies in a single, unique degree offered byTarleton’s School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies within its College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA).
The school was approved by The Texas A&M University System in 2014.
“This is a major step forward,” said Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio. “The university’s first Ph.D. program supports Tarleton’s long-standing commitment to academic advancement and improves employment opportunities for students, helping us meet critical community and workforce needs in North Texas and beyond.”
Tarleton Provost Karen Murray said that in addition to providing students with exemplary training, the new doctoral degree will better position the university to define the national character of criminal justice. “Graduates of this program will play multiple roles: teach criminal justice, be in the forefront of scholarship and crucial policy issues, and occupy key positions in local, national and international organizations.”
To be offered weekends at Tarleton’s Fort Worth campus, the Ph.D. entails 66 credit hours and offers specializations in predictive and analytical policing.
“Tarleton’s pursuit of strong, new degree programs — like the Ph.D. in criminal justice — is evidence of our continued commitment to respond to the changing academic and professional needs of our students and the communities we serve,” said COLFA Associate Dean Dr. Alex del Carmen. “This new doctoral degree program, along with our bachelor’s and master’s programs in criminal justice, is designed with the working professional in mind. Criminal justice students have the unique opportunity to learn from diverse faculty members, known worldwide for their expertise.”
Dr. Eric Morrow, interim dean of Tarleton’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts, said timing for the Ph.D. is perfect.
“Our first Ph.D. program is in response to the growing need for criminal justice research and additional education and training for criminal justice practitioners, such as police officers, probation and parole officers, corrections officers and Child Protective Services investigators,” he said. “Because of this need and the remarkable leadership and vision of an exceptional faculty, our School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies has experienced remarkable growth in recent years.”
For more information on Tarleton’s School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies, visit www.tarleton.edu/criminology/. To learn more about the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, go to www.tarleton.edu/colfa/.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
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Contacts:
Dr. Diane Taylor, Associate Vice President for Curriculum, Assessment and Faculty Affairs
254-968-9598
[email protected]
Dr. Alex del Carmen, Associate Dean, College of Liberal and Fine Arts
817-717-3669
[email protected]
