Home / News and Information /

Criminal Justice major approved by BPC faculty

MOUNT VERNON—Brewton-Parker College faculty approved the creation of a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice to be offered by the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences during a curriculum meeting last week.

“This approval was the final ‘green light’ we needed to get the major moving full speed ahead,” said a delighted Dr. Harry Vogel, assistant professor of sociology. Dr. Vogel has been working intently the last few months to get the new major approved and ready for incoming students.

According to Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences chair, Dr. H. Lee Cheek Jr., creating a major in criminal justice was the brainchild of Dr. Albert “Sid” Johnson, professor of political science. Dr. Johnson said he saw the need for this program when he recognized the number of jobs available in the criminal justice field in the Toombs-Montgomery area, let alone the surrounding counties.

“To me, I felt that developing this program was a must because of all the opportunities for graduates with criminal justice training in our community,” Dr. Johnson said.

The proposal for the major was unanimously approved by the division Nov. 15, and by the college’s Curriculum Committee Nov. 26. The faculty approved it in a faculty forum Dec. 6.

“The program will be a valuable asset to BPC because it will attract more students to the college and give existing students further options with regard to their majors and future careers,” said Dr. Cheek.

Students taking courses in this new major will study topics such as police investigation, criminal law, criminal profiling, combating drug-related crime and terrorism. Existing courses from the social and behavioral sciences will be interwoven with new courses tailored to enhance the major to create a comprehensive program that integrates both faith and learning to the study of crime and law enforcement, said Dr. Cheek.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia.

-BPC-