Administration of Justice
Department Chair:
Email: youngkat@hawaii.edu
Website: hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/justice/
Professor:
Katherine Young , Ph.D.
Administration of Justice is the study of how justice is implemented through the institutions, laws, policies, and procedures that order the public sphere. With a central focus on crime and justice in society, students will take courses covering a wide range of topics and disciplinary perspectives that examine the theory and practice of administration of justice in the U.S. and globally, and which prepare them for leadership positions in public agencies and non-profit organizations in criminal justice and related areas. Those students entering the program with an A.A. degree from a community college accredited by a U.S. regional accreditation agency will not be required to take General Education courses and will be given elective credit for selected courses in Administration of Justice that are transferred.
Mission
The mission of the Administration of Justice Department is to prepare students to be innovative leaders in law enforcement, criminal justice, government administration, non-profit administration, and justice advocacy; qualify our majors for acceptance to top-notch graduate programs and law schools; and support the community through engaged scholarship and service.
Goals for Student Learning in the Major
By graduation, Administration of Justice majors should be able to:
- Describe different theories of justice in relation to the administration of justice.
- Describe major theories about crime and criminality and apply them to understand contemporary criminal justice issues.
- Demonstrate understanding of the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement, corrections, and the courts in the criminal justice system.
- Identify outcomes of criminal justice policies, procedures, programs, and practices, and how they impact different social groups.
- Analyze how social, political, legal, economic, and cultural contexts impact the administration of justice.
- Demonstrate understanding of ethical duties and professional standards in the criminal justice field.
- Apply research methods commonly used in the social sciences, particularly criminological research, to analyze current issues in the administration of justice.
- Communicate knowledge of criminal justice effectively in written and verbal forms.
Prospects for Administration of Justice Graduates
The Administration of Justice Program provides students with an interdisciplinary education that enhances their understanding of crime and justice in society and offers students a flexible curriculum and research training that prepares them for diverse careers paths in criminal justice and related areas. Many Administration of Justice students go on to graduate programs in criminal justice, social justice, public policy, law, politics, and public affairs.
Contributions to the UH Hilo General Education Program
Administration of Justice course offerings contribute to fulfilling the College’s educational purpose of preparing students “to meet the demands of both profession and citizenship.”
Special Aspects of the Administration of Justice Program
The Administration of Justice Department sponsors a number of hands-on activities to broaden and deepen the students’ knowledge of administration of justice. Among these are a variety of internships in state and local agencies on Hawaii Island as well as legislative internships at the state and federal level. Administration of Justice students who demonstrate mastery of the subject matter, professional competence, and responsibility are eligible to participate in these internship programs. Through the internship programs students gain a unique experience in administration of justice and related fields that supplements their coursework and may enhance their post-graduation employment prospects.