• Beth Wiersma, Co-Chair of Criminal Justice and Social Work, for Criminal Justice
• Professors: J. Carlson, Siedschlaw
• Associate Professors: J. Campbell, Wiersma
• Assistant Professors: Jhi Yon, Neal

Criminal Justice Department Objectives:

• To provide a broad academic and multidisciplinary background for students majoring in Criminal Justice;
• To prepare students of high character and ethical standards for leadership positions within the employment areas of law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, private security, and the courts;
• To assist students in gaining employment within criminal justice and related career fields;
• To cultivate in students a realistic awareness of present and historical trends of crime and criminal methodology;
• To stimulate an awareness of deviant and abnormal human behavior of concern to criminal justice practitioners;
• To acquaint students with current literature and research pertaining to the administration of justice.

Criminal Justice General Information
At least 15 hours (5 courses) of upper division credit in criminal justice must be taken from UNK.

• Maha Younes, Co-Chair of Criminal Justice and Social Work, for Social Work
• Professor: Younes
• Assistant Professors: Van Laningham, Young
• Senior Lecturer: Stuehm

Social Work Department Mission Statement

The Social Work Department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will prepare competent social work practitioners. Our graduates will be equipped with evidence-based generalist social work knowledge, skills, ethics and values to promote the dignity and well-being of all people within a diverse society.

Social Work Department Goals:

1. Equip students with core competencies for beginning generalist social work practice that enables them to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
2. Prepare students for lifelong learning and the application of critical thinking to guide professional decision-making by combining a liberal arts foundation with social work education.
3. Prepare students to develop a professional identity, which will incorporate the knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles of the social work profession that are crucial for the advancement of human rights, and economic and social justice.
4. Prepare students for evidence-based practice with diverse and marginalized populations.
5. Prepare students as beginning social work generalist practitioners who are engaged in research informed practice and practice informed research.

The Social Work Department is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The department does not grant academic credit for life experience or previous work experience. Social Work students are expected to work closely with their advisor to ensure that General Studies and major requirements are taken in the right sequence.