Professional Organizations Beyond the Classroom
Beyond the Classroom: Criminal Justice Student Organizations
The American Society of Criminology
The American Society of Criminology (ASC), founded in 1941, is the largest professional criminological society in the world and provides a multidisciplinary forum fostering criminological study, research, and education. ASC members pursue scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency. ASC's membership includes practitioners, academicians, and students in the various fields of criminal justice and criminology.
- For more information, contact ASC Member Advisor Dr. Carla D. Coates
Phone: (336) 285-2046
Email: cdcoates@ncat.edu
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
The American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) is a multidisciplinary professional organization that has served a distinguished and diverse membership since 1948 and provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. AAFS has membership exceeding 6,600 members in all US states and 71 other countries, including pathologists, attorneys, dentists, toxicologists, anthropologists, document examiners, digital evidence experts, psychiatrists, engineers, physicists, chemists, criminalists, educators, and researchers. The Academy promotes professionalism, integrity, competency, and education, fosters research and improved practice, and encourages collaboration in the forensic sciences.
- For more information, contact AAFS Advisor Professor Darien Robinson
Phone: (336) 285-2046
Email: djrobinson@ncat.edu
Alpha Phi Sigma Eta Upsilon Chapter
The Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society recognizes scholarly achievement in the field of criminal justice. The organization is affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) and the Association of College Honor Societies. Alpha Phi Sigma was designated the National Criminal Justice Society by the ACJS Executive Board in 1976. Eligible students must have demonstrated effective written and verbal communication, have knowledge of criminal law and legal processes, and be competent in the collection, analysis, and preservation of evidence. Eligible students must also be enrolled at the institution represented by the chapter at the time of application, have completed 45 semester hours (four courses of which shall be in the criminal justice field), have a minimum 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) with a minimum 3.2 GPA in courses in criminal justice related fields, and rank in the top 35 percent of their class.
- For more information, contact Eta Upsilon Chapter Advisor Professor Andrew Kuo
Phone: (336) 285-2046
Email: akuo@ncat.edu
The E. A. Ralston Criminal Justice Society
The Judge Elreta A. Ralston Criminal Justice Society is a multi-purpose organization that brings together students, faculty, and staff to keep criminal justice students informed of academic and professional opportunities. The E. A. Ralston Criminal Justice Society also sponsors events and opportunities related to criminal justice, advocates for criminal justice students, and recognizes the academic and professional achievements of criminal justice students and faculty. E. A. Ralston students are activist scholars involved in community service, voluntarism, and social justice initiatives.
- For more information, contact E.A. Ralston CJS Advisor Professor Keith Coleman
Phone: (336) 285-2046
Email: kcolema1@ncat.edu.
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) is an international association established in 1963 to foster professional and scholarly activities in the field of criminal justice. ACJS promotes criminal justice education, research, and policy analysis within the discipline of criminal justice for educators and practitioners alike. Student membership is open to any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at an institution of higher education who supports the Academy’s purpose and whose enrollment is certified by a regular faculty or administrative official of the institution.
- For more information, contact ACJS Member Advisor Dr. Carla D. Coates
Phone: (336) 285-2046
Email: cdcoates@ncat.edu
The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Department of Criminal Justice Mock Trial Team
The N.C. A&T Mock Trial Team was established in 2019 to provide students at the collegiate level with experience arguing cases in the role of prosecution or defense. Mock trials are observed by judges who assess which argument is most compelling on the grounds of law and precedent. Teams are judged on their poise, performance, believability, and ability to effectively advance a case. N.C. A&T team members participate in regional and national mock trial tournaments.
- For more information, contact Mock Trial Team Advisor Attorney Kwame Opata
Phone: (336) 285-2046
Email: jkopata@ncat.edu
