california state university los angeles school of criminal justice and criminalistics

California State University Los Angeles

School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics

Joseph Peterson, Director

Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science CenterDedicated in the Summer 2007 on the

Cal State LA Campus$100 M facility housing:

CSULA School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, Classrooms & Laboratories

LASD Scientific Services Bureau LAPD Scientific Investigation Division Full-Service Forensic Laboratories

with 300+ Criminalists and Staff

Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center

CSULA Degree Opportunities

Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice

Undergraduate Minor in Forensic Science

Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Suspended until fall 2014

Master of Science Degree in Criminalistics Builds upon undergrad concentration in sciences Scientific Examination & Interpretation of Evidence

Master of Science Degree in Criminalistics

Builds on undergraduate B.S. degree in natural and physical sciences

Practical and technical training in application of laboratory methods to examination & interpretation of evidence

Thesis research and internshipsPreparation to assume crime lab position,

or advanced academic studies

Criminal Justice and Criminalistics’ Philosophy to Crime and Evidence Evaluation

Strong teaching, research, and ties to operating agencies in greater Los Angeles area

Major emphasis on social and physical science methods in the understanding of crime, the evaluation of evidence, and insuring justice for the accused

Forensic science approach integrates both physical and social science approaches in the evaluation of evidence

Collaborations with the LAPD and LASD Laboratories

NIJ Funded Project on Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence Project (LASD)

NIJ Sponsored Study of the Handling of Backlogged Sexual Assault Kit Evidence (LASD and LAPD)

Lectures (NAS Forensic Science Study) Masters Criminalistics Student Research Summer Internships (LASD and LAPD) CFSI Projects and Continuing Educ Seminars

Impaction – Begun in Fall 2011

Beginning fall 2011, Criminal Justice is an Impacted Program (~1,300 majors as of fall 2010)

Fall 2010 SFR (majors to FT faculty) = 130:1; attempt to reduce to 75:1, which is commensurate with CJ programs at other CSUs

Criteria for admitting students to Pre-Major beginning Fall 2011: Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 A grade of no less than B- in CRIM 101, 126 (or

the equivalent course taken at other campuses) and CRIM 301 (taken at CSULA). Students cannot repeat courses at CSULA or elsewhere

Academic Year 2011

Program Plan Code ‘CRIM UNB’ is being used for students applying to Pre-Major in Criminal Justice

500 Pre-Majors admitted for fall 2011 – about half are transfers, half are new freshmen

B- criterion implemented for students taking specific courses fall 2010 or later

Students changing majors – Equivalent criteria apply

CRIM 301 prerequisite for all upper division courses

Academic Year 2011

Students who took and received less than B- in CRIM 101 and 126 prior to fall 2010 may retake course (a single time) to receive higher grade. May need to take at different college and will not replace prior course grade on transcript unless student failed course

Incoming students advised to take lower division general education blocks, upper division theme (3), and directed electives

School screening committee will determine which Pre-Majors will be admitted to the Major

Academic Year 2011

Main campus advisor (University Academic Advisement Center 3-3150) on theme and general education courses

Undergrad advisor Maria Molina 323-343-4618 Criminal Justice (mmolina2@cslanet.calstatela.edu)