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C-SC Expands Criminal Justice Degree with Forensic Specializations
Friday, August 24, 2012

CANTON, Mo.—The criminal justice, business and science programs at Culver-Stockton College have partnered together to develop two new specializations within the criminal justice degree. Starting this semester, criminal justice students have the option to specialize in forensic accounting or forensic science. These programs are also available as a minor to students in other disciplines. The development of these specializations allows students to have a directed focus while gaining an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree. Students who choose to complete these programs will have special designations on their diplomas.

The programs are in response to a rising need in the field of forensics. Special care has been taken to create programs unique to the area. For example, many forensic science programs focus on either chemistry or biology, while C-SC’s program has a blend of requirements from the two sciences. The closest forensic science program of this kind is in St. Louis. “Our program is unique because it allows students to earn both a biology and a chemistry minor while majoring in criminal justice with the forensic science specialization. Another unique option just for science students is the criminal justice minor with an emphasis on forensic science. We also do this in the context of our 12-week/3-week curriculum, which emphasizes experiential learning opportunities in real-world situations,” says Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, chair of the Natural and Mathematical Science Division.

Though it may be lesser known, forensic accounting is the quickest growing field within criminal justice. C-SC’s program has been designed to train students on the financial intricacies of white-collar crime. “When you think of forensic accounting, think of Bernie Madoff. He was a criminal, but not in the traditional sense. His crimes were buried in financial documents. Our forensic accounting program trains students how to sift through complicated records and make sure these types of criminals go to jail,” says David Carrothers, criminal justice faculty.

In addition to the specializations for the criminal justice major, a minor in forensic accounting has been created for accountancy majors. This program provides the accountancy major with background in criminal justice and preparation for investigating crimes committed by government officials or businesses. “Fraud is a growing problem in the United States as well as around the world. Most Americans are familiar with recent frauds committed by Bernard Madoff, Enron Corporation and WorldCom, just to name a few. This increasing problem has created an opportunity for careers in forensic accounting. Potential careers in forensic accounting include working for the FBI, the criminal investigation division of the Internal Revenue Service, a CPA firm, a law firm and many more,” says Julie Straus, lecturer in accounting.