History

The Division of Justice and Law Administration (originally called The Department of Criminal Justice) was founded by Prof. Solomon Gross and Dr. Frank Muska in 1976, with a $14,000 grant from the Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. The entering class numbered fourteen students. The department broadened its academic focus to a multi-option format, e.g., Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, Criminology, Corrections, Probation, Parole, and Offender Rehabilitation, Paralegal Sequence, and Homeland Security. Dr. Muska chaired the department from 1978-1982, followed by Dr. Harold B. Schramm (now Professor Emeritus), 1982-1991. Succeeding Chairs, Dr. David Whelan, 1991-1993, Dr. David Machell (now professor Emeritus), 1993-2003, Dr. Michael Foley (now Professor Emeritus), 2003-2009, Professor Charles Mullaney (now Professor Emeritus), 2009-2015, Dr. Anthony Markert (now Professor Emeritus), 2015-2017, Dr. George Kain (now Professor Emeritus), 2017-2021, Dr. Kim Marino, 2021-2025, and Dr. Hasan Arslan as the incumbent Chair grew and managed the Division to its current status as the largest major at Western Connecticut State University. The Division recently changed the name of it’s major to Criminal Justice and currently has 9 full-time faculty, assisted by 20 part-time faculty. JLA typically offers 45-50 courses each semester, catering to a diverse body of students who seek to enter the varied fields of law and justice. JLA graduates work in law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels, the legal profession, corrections services, social service agencies, private security, education, and myriad other professions. The Division also offers a Master of Science Degree in Homeland Security.