Student

U.S. News and World Report ranked Arizona State University’s graduate degree programs within the College of Public Service and Community Solutions among some of the best in the nation.  

The ASU School of Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate criminology program is ranked No. 5 in the nation, tied with three other programs. The doctoral program launched in 2008. Its online criminal justice graduate program also ranked fifth in the 2018 U.S. News and World Report rankings of online graduate degrees.

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The 350 graduates who participated in Arizona State University's College of Public Service and Community Solutions Convocation received more than recognition for their degrees Tuesday night at Comerica Theatre in downtown Phoenix. They got a reminder from their dean, Jonathan Koppell, of the power they will hold as public servants. 

Citing recent revelations regarding sexual harrassment in multiple industries, Koppell told graduates they can't ignore matters of this importance hoping they will go away. 

• Read more about ASU public service graduates asked to wield power with a 'sense of purpose'

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of profiles for fall 2017 commencement. See more graduates here.

• Read more about Policing research guides ASU criminal justice graduate

The sixth annual ASU Prison Education Conference will bring together a broad coalition of experts and community members to discuss criminal justice and the transformative power of education. Organized by Arizona State University's Prison Education Awareness Club and sponsored by the Department of English and the School of Social Transformation, the conference is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in the Turquoise Room of the Memorial Union on ASU’s Tempe campus.

• Read more about Getting to the heart of justice and transformation

Emma Richburg never thought she’d be putting on an art show as a freshman criminology and criminal justice major. But she is helping put up drawings, paintings and other items for display at Unexpected Art Studio, a former warehouse on Polk Street located between Grand Ave and 7th Avenue. The works of art will be sold at the May 5 First Friday — the hip art, entertainment and food event that draws thousands of people to Roosevelt Row and Grand Ave in downtown Phoenix each month.

• Read more about ASU criminology freshmen showcase inmate art at First Friday exhibit

Becca McCarthy entered the Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge because she wanted to gain more experience with policy outside of her classes. She got that and more.

“It was an incredibly eye-opening experience,” said McCarthy, a public policy graduate student in Arizona State University's School of Public Affairs. “I hope to see the ASU competition continue to grow.”

• Read more about ASU students encouraged to enter Cyber 9/12 Challenge

"The DNA is a match."

When you hear that phrase on modern-day detective shows, you know the jig is up; the bad guy has been caught. In a fictional TV world where crimes are solved in 30 minutes, nobody ever questions the authority of DNA evidence.

In real life, though, doubt can easily be cast on it because people get confused by scientific jargon, or because of uncertainties about how the evidence was obtained and handled — in one famous case, the O.J. Simpson murder investigation, both factors ultimately contributed to the outcome of the trial.

• Read more about Eliminating doubt in criminal investigations

Editor's note: This is part of a series of profiles for spring 2016 commencement. See the rest here.

Following in his brothers’ footsteps, Isaac Hernandez knew from a young age he wanted to join the U.S. Army and major in criminal justice. His mind was set on success from early on, which influenced him to join the dual-enrollment program at his high school, allowing him to complete an associate’s degree upon graduation.

• Read more about Excelling outside his comfort zone

The U.S. prison system is retreating from an era of force and punishment and is starting to think once again about education and rehabilitation programs.

And that’s not only good for society but good for the economy, according to a panel of experts who gathered at Arizona State University this weekend to discuss the role of prison education as part of the American landscape.

• Read more about Writing a new chapter in prison rehabilitation