Public service

The online master’s degree program in criminology and criminal justice at Arizona State University continues for an eighth consecutive year as one of the nation’s top 10 such courses of study, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings announced. The online Master of Arts degree program earned a No. 7 ranking for 2022.

ASU’s No. 7 ranking is higher than those of the University of Cincinnati, the University of Nebraska-Omaha, the University of Central Florida and the University of Oklahoma.

• Read more about ASU's criminal justice online graduate degree program ranks in US News' top 10

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2021 graduates.

When Abiud Hernandez-Garcia began studying criminology and criminal justice at ASU, he thought he wanted to be a police officer. But the Avondale, Arizona, resident said he was never quite convinced it was the correct career path for him.

• Read more about Prospects of conducting exciting research influenced grad to study criminal justice

A 5-year-old steals and eats a grape at the grocery store. A teenager “rolls” past a stop sign without really stopping. An adult decides not to report cash earned from a gig on a tax return.

• Read more about Punishment alone isn't the deterrent many think it is, ASU professor says in new book

From the global response to terrorism and the subversive weaponization of narratives, to the evolution of crisis management and guardians of civil liberties — 9/11 forced us to think differently; to rise to new challenges; and to confront the vulnerabilities of our democracy.

Twenty years after the attacks and in observance of the anniversary, ASU News reached out to faculty experts across Arizona State University to share their observations, research and reflections on 9/11’s cultural and global impact on our world — and on their work.

• Read more about How 9/11 changed the ways these faculty teach and research

Twenty years ago, the country saw images of police officers heroically running into buildings that would soon come crashing down.

But over the past few years, people have seen uglier images of police officers abusing their power.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 changed policing in America, according to William Terrill, professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University.

And now, he said, policing seems to be pivoting again.

• Read more about Law enforcement veered away from community policing after 9/11 attacks

Jeff McClelland was a dedicated and accomplished executive at the time of his death in 2006. A new scholarship his family has established in his name honors his great respect for higher education and demonstrates their commitment to the criminal justice profession.

Each year the Jeffrey D. McClelland Scholarship will support a graduate student working in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions-based Center for Correctional Solutions at Arizona State University.

• Read more about New scholarship to assist graduate students' work at ASU Center for Correctional Solutions

ASU’s doctoral program in criminology rose to No. 2 nationwide in the prestigious 2022 Best Graduate Schools Rankings announced today by U.S. News & World Report.

The program, in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ) at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, held the No. 5 position in 2021. The publication has ranked the program in the top five nationally since 2018.

• Read more about SCCJ degree program rises to No. 2 nationwide in U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools rankings

Members of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) elected Arizona State University criminal justice and sociology Professor Anthony Peguero to its leadership.

• Read more about ASU professor elected to leadership of Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, on track to be its president in 2023

Crime and Justice News, a daily digest of original reporting of criminal justice news and an aggregated summary of such news from media reports, government agencies and interest groups, is now based at Arizona State University.

• Read more about Respected criminal justice news source 'Crime and Justice News' now based at ASU

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2020 graduates.

Ever since she was very young, Alexis Klemm was fascinated by the study of the mind and human actions. That captivation first came from watching TV dramas such as “Law & Order” and “Criminal Minds.” Then, as a middle and high school student, she began taking courses in psychology, forensic sciences and sociology.

• Read more about Grad's fascination with criminal justice began with 'Law & Order' and led to a degree