By Brianna Saylor, News Editor
Originally Published March 12, 2024
Are you or someone you know interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or legal relations? Well, look no further! The Master of Science in Criminology program at Saint Vincent College (SVC) has recently been ranked in the top ten best Criminology Master’s Degree Programs in the country and number four in the mid-Atlantic region by College Factual. It offers a challenging curriculum that prepares candidates to become leaders and innovators in the system dedicated to the just enforcement of criminal law.
The Master of Science in Criminology program at SVC has been in existence for over five years and the department is excited to report that graduates are finding tremendous success upon completion of the program, including federal and state law enforcement, law school, PhD programs, and more. There are many career options in criminology, law and society including public and private interest lawyers, intelligence analysts, police officers, federal agents, private investigators and so much more.
The primary instructors for the core classes include Dr. Kayla Jachimowski and Dr. Eric Kocian, who are both known throughout the state and the country for their individual research interests and professional experiences. Additionally, Dr. Bruce Antkowiak, legal counsel and a professor of law at SVC, who has over 30 years of experience in the criminal justice system, has also played a critical role in the development and expansion of the Criminology department and other related areas of study such as politics and political science at the college.
Delaney Fox, a senior political science major, reflected on her experience at SVC and how her coursework in the Criminology department had an immense impact on both her decision to pursue law school and to prepare her to begin her continued studies next fall.
“In the process of applying to law schools, I’ve found that moot court is an option, if not a requirement, at nearly every school. Having the opportunity to gain some experience with a mock appellate argument in Advanced Constitutional Litigation at SVC has solidified my decision to pursue law,” Fox said. “It also encouraged me to take additional courses offered by the Criminology Department. The Criminology of Sexual Assault course was especially enlightening, tackling a difficult topic with great care and accessibility to all.”
In addition to advanced coursework, the Criminology Department also has several other opportunities they encourage students to participate in. In addition to the SVC Mock Trial team, which students of all areas of studies are encouraged to join, SVC has also formed a new team for the American Moot Court Association (AMCA), which has participated in scrimmages throughout the Fall 2023 and current Spring semesters. SVC’s teams scored equal to or exceeded the other schools’ teams who had been established for longer.
Ultimately, the goal of the Master of Science in Criminology program at SVC is to provide advanced and interactive grounds for study so that students can obtain the best education possible for a future career in the criminal justice area on a variety of levels. The program is designed to provide tools for all students to find their passion, profession, profession and an opportunity to grow.
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