Forensic Science, Minor

Mission, Goals, and Values

The Criminal Justice program is committed to fostering a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment that provides a broad range of interactive academic and field experiences.  An understanding and appreciation of the theory, research, policy and practice of criminal justice, as a unique discipline, will be advanced.  The department will promote the development of future professionals who are capable of assuming responsibility for the research, continuing scholarship and administration of the criminal justice system.

The Forensic Science program is committed to fostering a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment that provides a broad range of interactive academic and field experiences.  An understanding and appreciation of theory, research, policy and practice of forensic science, as a unique discipline, will be advanced.  The department will promote the development of future professionals who are capable of assuming responsibility for the research, continuing scholarship and administration of forensic science.

The following values will dictate our actions in carrying out these missions:

• Academically and professionally qualified faculty.
• Superior teaching.
• Scholarly activities that enhance and strengthen teaching.
• Continued re-evaluation, assessment, and corrections to curriculum.
• Ethical awareness and conduct.
• Cooperation, communication, and diversity across the curriculum.
• Development of sensitivity toward, and appreciation for, cultural diversity.
  • Development of analytical and critical thinking skills essential to the criminal justice field.
  • Preparation for the technologically sophisticated legal environment of the 21st century.
  • Advancement of the study of law within the context of an interdisciplinary liberal arts education.

The vision of the Criminal Justice Department is to become an academic program in the field of Criminal Justice recognized by students, and alumni, which provides them with a critical understanding of the total system of criminal justice and the society in which it functions.  Additionally, we aspire to be recognized by local, state, and federal law enforcement communities for our progressive education, service, intellectual maturity, and ethical awareness.

The vision of the Forensic Science area of the Criminal Justice Department is to become an academic program in the field of Forensic Science recognized by students, and alumni, which provides a critical understanding of the investigation procedures for forensic evidence and the society in which it functions.  Additionally, we aspire to be recognized by local, state, and federal law enforcement communities for our progressive education, service, intellectual maturity, and ethical awareness.

The following strategies/goals are being pursued to move toward the above vision:

• Develop a comprehensive forensic curriculum in cooperation with the science department.
• Organize a Skills USA criminal justice program.
  • Increase the number of students in both the criminal justice and the forensic science programs.
  • Continue curriculum improvement efforts and link assessment more closely to competencies.
• Increase rigor/scholarship across the curriculum.
• Actively participate in professional organizations.
• Promote scholarly research and development within the faculty.

Contribution to Overall UVU Mission

The departmental mission was developed to contribute to the College of Aviation & Public Services mission which, in turn, contributes to UVU’s mission.  Critical to our program is a focus on developing a curriculum, along with other departments at UVU, which prepares our students to be competent for employment or advanced education and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and community service.