Criminology and Criminal Justice

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Keuka College’s Criminology and Criminal Justice major offers you classroom and real-world experience in ethics, law, and social, behavioral, and political sciences.

Together, we’ll build a foundation for understanding, explaining, and preventing crime, as well as informing the understanding and enacting of criminal justice policies and practices.

Thanks to research and investigative learning opportunities in both the classroom and the field, you’ll be ready for multifaceted roles in government agencies, courts, law enforcement, and human services.

students in a parking lot looking for evidence in a setup crime scene

Immerse Yourself in the Criminal Justice System

The cornerstone of a Keuka College education is Field Period® — four separate real-world opportunities, one every year, starting with your first year.

Whether in a police station, a courthouse, or an attorney’s office, your four Field Period® experiences will give you the chance to work with criminal justice professionals and explore different professions and career paths while you're still in school.

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Program Overview

Criminology and Criminal Justice Major

Break into the field of crime and social justice, or cement your competitive edge in law enforcement with our B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Our program opens the doors for careers in law enforcement, public and private investigations, corrections, probation, education, law, juvenile services, and intelligence. 
 
Our curricula provide a broad overview of all aspects of the criminal justice system and its three chief components (police, courts, and corrections/community corrections). You’ll also be instructed in ethics, crime theory, juvenile delinquency, and homeland security.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Minor

No matter what your major, a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice will help prepare you for multifaceted roles in government agencies, courts, law enforcement, and human services. Research and investigative learning opportunities in the classroom and the field will further help prepare you for multifaceted roles in the career of your choice. 

Learn More About the Program

Direct experience in the field helps you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to use information and technology as crime-fighting tools. In the course of your Field Period® experiences and internships, you’ll gain first-hand experience using analytic tools, criminal information systems, firearm and other training simulations, and accident reconstruction programs.

In addition, many of our students engage in original research, collecting information, and publishing reports for stakeholders. Others use online research to assist their organization with web design and community relations, criminal investigations, and database development.

Kristen Bacon, O.T.D., OTR/L

Chair of Applied Health and Wellness
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Utica College
M.S.
Syracuse University at Utica College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Kristen Bacon began her career working as an occupational therapy assistant in 2003 while attending the weekend program at Utica College. After graduating in 2006 with a B.S. from Syracuse University at Utica College and M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica College in 2007, she then earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011.

Dr. Bacon has presented at several national occupational therapy conferences and currently volunteers for organizations including AOTA and NBCOT. She is working on AOTA’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and a Flipped Learning 3.0 Certification, Level I. Her professional focus includes the adult and geriatric populations with a special interest in TBI and orthopedics.

Dr. Bacon began her academic work as adjunct professor for Keuka College in 2014. Since then, she has continued on as full-time academician and is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Bacon was appointed to faculty development committee, is co-advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), a national occupational therapy honor society, and completed a three-year term for Sigma Lambda Sigma (SLS) advisor the college wide honor society.

Michele Bennett ’05 M’06, O.T.D., OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Keuka College
M.S.
Keuka College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Bennett graduated from Keuka College in the first OT master's program. After college she worked in local hospital and rehabilitation sites serving children to older adults. As she transitioned from rehabilitation sites to teaching she completed her post-professional clinical doctorate at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 2013.

Dr. Bennett has presented topics at national conferences that have included international, interprofessional service learning, program evaluation/outcome reporting and fieldwork level I experiences in emerging areas of practice. Dr. Bennett is currently Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and remains active working with adults in their homes as a per-diem therapist for Visiting Nursing Association/Kaleida Health in the Steuben County region. Dr. Bennett joined the Arc of Yates board of directors for a three year term. 

Professional Interests

Adults with developmental disabilities, middle to older adult populations, and professional development of the OT students of Keuka College.

Dr. Susan Bezek ’01

Chair of Division of Nursing
Program Director of B.S., Nursing

Academic Credentials

Capella University
Ph.D.
University of Rochester
M.S.
Keuka College
B.S.

Julie Burns

Associate Professor of Social Work

Academic Credentials

Union Institute and University
Ph.D.
Nazareth College
M.S.W.
SUNY College at Buffalo
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Julie Burns began her interest in Social Work as an activist during her teenage years and has been a professional Social Worker for 30 years.

She has participated in community organizing, planning, and leading demonstrations of civil disobedience in her community. She has a passion for working with people with disabilities and has spent the bulk of her career working with people with intellectual disabilities and their families in grassroots organizations.

Her work as direct care staff, educator, trainer, counselor, program developer, and administrator has provided a solid foundation for linking theory to practice. She has always believed that education can change the world and is deeply honored to teach the next generation of Social Workers.

Professional Interests

Public Policy and Social Change, Women's Healthcare, Reproductive Justice, Intellectual Disabilities, Human and Civil Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Narrative Inquiry and Critical Theories.

Stephanie Craig

Professor of Social Work

Academic Credentials

University at Buffalo
M.S.W.
Nazareth College
B.A.

Biography

Associate Professor Stephanie Craig has been a social worker for nearly 35 years. She is a Licensed Registered Certified Social Worker which is the highest clinical social work degree. Stephanie has been a practicing clinician for Not-for-Profit agencies such as Pathways, Inc. and Family Service Society, Inc. She is the owner of a private practice in Bath NY, Professional Counseling Services, since 1994. Specialties include mood disorders, forensic social work, developmental disabilities and child and family issues. Craig came to Keuka in 2002 as an adjunct instructor and began her full time position in 2003 in the Education and Social Work Division. She has taught most of the courses in the curriculum. According to Craig, the excitement is in teaching the Introduction to Social Work class, awakening the passion, and teaching the history of social justice." One of her favorite experiences was taking a group of students to New York City to participate in a Peace march. The passion and heart of the profession is what Craig imparts to all of her students. In 2004 and 2007, Craig led group Field Periods to Poland for a cultural immersion experience for one month. Craig received the Excellence in Experiential Teaching Award for the 2005-2006 Academic year.

Professional Interests

Advocacy for the disabled, improving the distribution of benefits and creating awareness of the large minority, creating greater awareness of the importance of children's rights in many areas, gay/lesbian rights with regard to parenting. Treatment of mood disorders, couple's therapy, and youth and adolescent counseling.

Cassie Hey ’04 M’07, D.B.H., M.S., OTR/L

Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Arizona State University
D.B.H.
Keuka College
M.S.
Keuka College
B.S.

Dr. Beth Hopkins

Associate Professor of Nursing

Academic Credentials

St. John Fisher College
D.N.P. in Nursing Practice
Community General Hospital of Greater Syracuse
M.S. in Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Virginia
M.S. in Adult Nurse Practitioner
St. John Fisher College
B.S. in Nursing
Jamestown Community College
A.A.S in Nursing

Biography

Dr. Beth Hopkins brings decades of professional clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner in Family Health. She has been involved extensively in both professional practice as a F.N.P. and administratively in the development and delivery of health care models for otolaryngology, allergy/asthma, sleep medicine, occupational health, and primary care.

As clinical faculty in nursing, Dr. Hopkins has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University and Upstate Medical University with her primary teaching focus at the graduate level, educating students in the nurse practitioner programs. Additionally, she has been involved in developing and teaching Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care extensively across the health professions. Dr. Hopkins area of interest is in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea having conducted her doctoral clinical scholarship project on increasing the primary care providers competence and confidence in early detection and intervention of sleep-disordered breathing in young children.

Professional Interests

Otolaryngology, Allergy/Asthma, pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Interprofessional Education, and Collaborative Care.

Beth Jordan, O.T.D., OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Utica College
M.S.
Syracuse University at Utica College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Jordan began her professional career as an occupational therapy assistant in 1989. She continued her education at Utica College and graduated with a M.S. in Occupational Therapy in 2007 and earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011. Dr. Jordan began teaching adjunct before transitioning from clinician to academician. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Keuka College.

Dr. Jordan has presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) national conference and actively volunteers through AOTA as a peer reviewer and member of Community of Leaders. She is also currently volunteering with the National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy as a pediatric subject matter expert on an exam development committee. Dr. Jordan is in the preliminary stages of engaging in scholarly research with faculty from three other universities with a focus on improving engagement and intentionality of learning in college students. She is an advisor for Keuka College’s Sigma Lambda Sigma Honor Society and is the faculty liaison and chair for the DRIVE Steering Committee. Dr. Jordan continues to work as a senior occupational therapist at Margaret L. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center in Syracuse, NY.

Dr. Jessica MacNamara

Associate Professor of Sociology

Academic Credentials

University at Buffalo
Ph.D.
SUNY Albany
M.A.
SUNY College at Buffalo
B.A.
Finger Lakes Community College
A.A.

Dr. Jason McKinney

Division Chair
Professor of Social Work

Academic Credentials

University of Rochester
Ph.D.
Roberts Wesleyan College
M.S.W.
Roberts Wesleyan College
B.S.W.

Biography

Dr. Jason McKinney earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College and a PhD in Human Development from the University of Rochester. Dr. McKinney has authored articles in peer reviewed journals, including Child and Family Services Review and The Journal of Critical Social Work. He has also published articles in The New Social Worker. His research interest is in the developing self across the life span, and most recently within caregiver-child interactions. In 2006, Dr. McKinney received the Scandling Scholar Award from the University of Rochester. Dr. McKinney's practice experience includes family therapy, parent-training curriculums, and the design and implementation of a successful therapeutic foster care program in Rochester, NY. Prior to joining Keuka College, Dr. McKinney taught at Ashland University as an Assistant Professor of Social Work and adjunct at The Greater Rochester Collaborative, State University of New York (SUNY, Brockport) and Nazareth College, and also at Roberts Wesleyan College. He places a strong emphasis on the need for research in social welfare and enjoys providing students with opportunities for meaningful research.

Professional Interests

Research in Selfhood and Identity Development within Cultural Categories Across the Lifespan Using Socio-Linguistic and Discourse Analytic Methodology, Effects of the Child Welfare System on Children and Families, Community-based Action Research on Aging Well.

Dr. Philip Miller

Associate Professor of Social Work
MSW Program Director

Academic Credentials

Rutgers University
D.S.W. in Social Work
Washington University in St. Louis
M.S.W. in Social Work
Greenville University
B.A. in Psychology

Biography

Dr. Miller is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of social work experience. He completed a Doctorate of Social Work from Rutgers University and a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis with a concentration in mental health and specialization in family therapy. He is passionate about marriage and is a certified Gottman marital therapist from the internationally acclaimed Gottman Institute in Seattle, WA. He spent eight years as an active duty officer in the United States Air Force as a clinical social worker.

Dr. Miller has extensive experience working with varied client groups ranging from children to the elderly as well as living and working in unique settings such as Japan, rural Appalachia, and the inner city. Research interests include military social work, marriage, and experiential learning.

Dr. Jenniffer Mullen, PhD, RN, CHPN, CNE

Associate Professor of Nursing

Academic Credentials

Walden University
Ph.D.
Walden University
M.S.
Kaplan University
B.S.
Tompkins Cortland Community College
A.A.S

Carrie Roberts ’02, O.T.D., OTR/L

Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Keuka College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Carrie Roberts has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years, with experience in various areas of  practice including the hospital and nursing home, with a greater focus in pediatrics birth-21 years old. She graduated from Keuka College with a degree in occupational therapy; she also graduated from Chatham University in 2013 with her clinical occupational therapy doctoral degree in which her research focus was related to children with Autism Spectrum. Dr. Roberts was an adjunct professor for Keuka College before joining the Occupational Therapy program full time in 2013.

Dr. Sekai Turner

Honors Program Director
Associate Professor of Social Work

Academic Credentials

University of Maryland
Ph.D. in Human Development
University of Pittsburgh
M.S.W. in Social Work
Cornell University
M.P.S. in Africana Studies
Spelman College
B.A. in Psychology

Melissa Whipple ’16

BSW Field Director and Program Coordinator

Academic Credentials

New York University
M.S.W.
Keuka College
B.S. in Social Work
Keuka College
B.A. in Psychology