Criminal Justice Mission

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.

Forensic Science Mission

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.

Center for National Security Studies Mission

The Center for National Security Studies (CNSS) is a nonpartisan academic institution for the instruction, analysis, and discussion of the issues related to the field of U.S. national security. The mission of the CNSS is twofold: to promote an interdisciplinary academic environment on campus that critically examines both the theoretical and practical aspects of the national security policy and practice; and to assist students in preparing for public and private sector national security careers through acquisition of subject matter expertise, analytical skills, and practical experience. The CNSS partners with local, regional, national, and international public and private sector organizations to promote this mission.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Criminal Justice Department is to become a program of choice for students in the field of Criminal Justice/Forensic Science/National Security Studies. To provide students with a critical understanding of the criminal justice system, field of forensic science, area of national security, and the society in which it functions. Additionally, we aspire to be recognized by local, state, and federal law enforcement, students, alumni, and the surrounding community for our progressive  education, service, intellectual maturity, and ethical awareness.

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 and the student experience.
• 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.
• Advancement of analytical and critical thinking skills essential to the criminal justice field.
• Preparation for the technologically sophisticated legal environment of the 21^st-Century.
• Advancement of the study of law/science within the context of an interdisciplinary liberal arts education.

• 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, forensic science, and national security studies 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.

The departmental mission was developed to contribute to the College of Health & Public Service 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. 

Criminal Justice

• Department Chair: Matthew L. Duffin
• Office: EN 101d
• Telephone: 801-863-6896
• Email: Matthew.Duffin@uvu.edu

• Administrative Assistant: Kameron Barkle
• Office: EN 101
• Telephone: 801-863-7230
• Email: Kameron.Barkle@uvu.edu

Forensic Science

• Director, Forensic Lab Track: Gary Naisbitt
• Office: ME 136
• Telephone: 801-863-6505
• Email: naisbiga@uvu.edu

• Director, Forensic Investigation Track: Amie Houghton
• Office: CB 303h
• Telephone: 801-863-5797
• Email: amie.houghton@uvu.edu

• Director, Law Enforcement Academy: Buckey Walters
• Office: EN 114a
• Telephone: 801-863-8062
• Email: buckey.walters@uvu.edu

• Administrative Assistant: Patrice Bollen
• Office: EN 114
• Telephone: 801-863-6156
• Email: Patrice.bolen@uvu.edu
• Mail Stop: 286