FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2020
PULASKI, Tenn. – Martin Methodist College (now the University of Tennessee Southern) is excited to offer a new hybrid online Master of Science in Criminal Justice beginning fall 2020.
To continue to serve its geographic region, particularly in law enforcement and homeland and cybersecurity, UTS (formerly MMC) recognizes the need to adapt quickly in the development of new programs. Thus, over the last 18 months, faculty have examined regional needs, such as the future fusion center in nearby Huntsville, Ala., a facility to be established by the FBI for the gathering, analysis, and sharing of comprehensive crimes, hazards, and terrorism information. Statistics related to regional and national
job markets, student interest, and program structures in addition to an existing strong undergraduate criminal justice program have pointed to the need for this particular type of program focused on homeland and cybersecurity.
Comprised of 11 face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses to be taken over four semesters, the 33-credit-hour M.S. in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare working professionals for advancement in justice-related professions, particularly for administrative and management-level professionals and for the ever-growing expansion in homeland security. This particular M.S. will also prepare students for
advanced study in doctoral or legal programs. Candidates may choose between a concentration in homeland security or in strategic management, with the latter offered in collaboration with UTS (formerly MMC)’s M.B.A. program.
Among the courses are Criminal Justice Today, Delinquency Identification and Prevention, Current Issues in Homeland Security, and Trends in Terrorism and Radicalization. This graduate program will be spear-headed by UTS (formerly MMC) Criminal Justice Program Coordinator Dr. Richard Schoeberl and his team of expert
practitioners, including Dr. Dan Scherr, Dr. Johnathan Dudek, Dr. Tina Jaeckle, Anthony Clark, J.D., and G. Dayton Cheatham, J.D. It will be housed in the newly-established Justice House.
An expert in his field, Dr. Schoeberl has over 25 years of experience in terrorism and law enforcement. He and his team of seasoned colleagues bring expansive professional backgrounds to the graduate program, including service for the FBI, NYPD, TBI, and the US Military. This team also brings years of experience in national security, multiple levels of law enforcement, and varying legal professions.
“Increasing the depth of knowledge over the criminal justice system is an issue that has never been more prominent than in today’s current economy,” said UTS (formerly MMC) Board of Trustee member Dr. Corbette Doyle. “The Criminal Justice Master’s Degree, taught by active practitioners in the field, has been intentionally designed with a balanced delivery of courses to enable both traditional college students and working professionals to enhance their skills and career development opportunities.”
“The addition of a Masters-level Criminal Justice program, especially one provided in our area, comes at a critical and opportune time,” said UTS (formerly MMC) Criminal Justice assistant professor Dr. Dan Scherr. “There is a huge need for criminal justice professionals in the area and across the country, and being able to help educate both current practitioners and future leaders offers an immense opportunity and responsibility. Martin Methodist is in an excellent position to provide this, both given the level of personal connection and attention students receive in the small classes and with the excellent cadre of
faculty that Dr. Schoeberl has assembled for the program. I would place our professors up against any schools’ in the region and against some of the best programs in the country. Our program includes retired practitioners from the some of the most prestigious state and federal agencies nation-wide, along with legal professionals and practitioners across multiple fields.”
“This program will allow graduate students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a curriculum that they can cater to their needs, while learning from a host of robust faculty who are not only academic professionals, but practitioners in the field,” said Dr. Schoeberl.
“We are delighted to expand our program offering in this significant area of focus for the college, our criminal justice program,” said UTS (formerly MMC) Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Richard Warren. “We know how important this area of study is to the southern middle Tennessee region that we serve and we look forward to continued growth in this graduate program.”
The University of Tennessee Southern, formerly Martin Methodist College, is the newest member of the University of Tennessee System. Founded in 1870 , UTS offers (number of degrees) associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. UTS is located on an historic campus in Pulaski, among the beautiful rolling hills of southern Middle Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Southern is convenient to both Nashville (70 miles north) and Huntsville, Alabama (40 miles south).
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