Cedar Crest College has launched a Master of Science in Crime Science, the first graduate program of its kind in the nation. This ground-breaking master’s in Crime Science takes an interdisciplinary approach to crime prevention and detection. It aims to teach practitioners, policy-makers and community activists how to collectively and collaboratively manage resources to effectively prevent criminal behavior or more quickly solve a crime that does occur. The program was approved by the Board of Trustees on October 18, and the first classes will begin class in the fall of 2020.
The goal of the program is to create more effective practitioners by teaching skill-centered concepts that can be used professionally. Building on the strength of Cedar Crest’s undergraduate programs, the interdisciplinary curriculum combines criminal justice, forensic science and forensic psychology course-work. Course topics include crime mapping technology, program evaluation, crime scene reconstruction and psychology of the criminal mind.
The crime science program focuses on crime prevention and detection, which differs from most criminal justice degree programs that are system-centered. It offers students the opportunity to transform their lives and make a difference in the world. This degree can advance the education of individuals from a wide array of professional and academic backgrounds. It may be of particular interest to bachelor’s degree holders who are employed or seeking employment, in law enforcement, court and corrections professions and client-based services such as drug rehabilitation, foster care and mental health organizations.
“We build relationships with our students, and the services and programs we have are available to them after graduation. The students don’t leave the community after graduation, they simply become active members of our collaborative network,” says Scott Hoke, Ph.D., director of the crime science program. “We can work with any of our students who might have an interest in implementing an intervention or program, evaluating a program, discussing criminal investigative techniques, requesting academic assistance, or contracting for training programs.”
Hoke has an intimate knowledge of the field having served as a practitioner in the criminal justice system for 20 years, from roles in probation and parole to jail administration and technical consulting. Early in Hoke’s career, most of his research and publications focused on how to control inmate behavior. More recently, he has concentrated his efforts on work involving the spatial distribution of crime and on community-centered program evaluation. Dr. Hoke and his students work with a number of different police departments across the state by providing analytical and crime mapping services to departments who do not have the resources to complete those tasks on their own. His work with community-based agencies highlights the College’s commitment to community partnerships.
Visit www.cedarcrest.edu/mscs for program details and course listings. For more information contact the School of Adult and Graduate Education at or 610-740-3770.