Charleston Southern University Department of Criminal Justice

10/02/2026

Dr. Gary Metts attended the South Carolina Chiefs of Police Conference in Myrtle Beach this week. It was an honor to welcome Chief Chito Walker of the Charleston Police Department and CSU alumni Chief Mark Arnold of the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Chief Thomas Hill of the Goose Creek Police Department and Chief Kevin Cornett of the Isle of Palms Police Department to the CSU Criminal Justice Department booth.

Thank you, Chiefs, and all your officers for your dedicated service in law enforcement and your commitment to keeping our communities safe!

09/25/2026

Please join us in welcoming Chief Magistrate Judge JoAnna Summey-Hayes as one of the newest adjunct professors in the Charleston Southern University Criminal Justice Department!

Judge Summey-Hayes brings 14 years of judicial experience in Charleston County, including six years as Chief Magistrate Judge. Her extensive experience includes criminal, traffic, bond, preliminary hearing, eviction, and civil courts. She also teaches fellow judges and assists courts with improving procedures and operations.

Judge Summey-Hayes is also one of our own! She earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Charleston Southern University and her B.A. in Communications from the College of Charleston.

Her passion for public service, leadership, and helping others will bring tremendous real-world experience into the classroom and provide our students with another outstanding opportunity to learn from a respected criminal justice professional.

⚖️ Welcome back to CSU, Judge Summey-Hayes! We are excited and blessed to have you as part of the CSU Criminal Justice family!

09/16/2026

We have had an exciting week in the Charleston Southern University Criminal Justice Department as we celebrated Crime Scene Week!

Professor Alan Fix always strives to provide his students with valuable, real-world learning experiences that bring the classroom to life. We are excited to watch our students expand their knowledge, develop their skills, and continue growing throughout their educational journey.

Exciting things are happening in CSU Criminal Justice!

09/11/2026

May we never forget the beautiful souls who lost their lives on this day 25 years ago.

We honor their memories and thank the first responders and public safety professionals who courageously serve each day to protect our communities.

September 11, 2001 — Never Forget. 🇺🇸

08/25/2026

What a powerful way to open the first day of classes for the CSU Criminal Justice Department!

Professor Mark Wise hosted a very special panel featuring three of our recent CSU Criminal Justice graduates who are now beginning their careers in law enforcement:

Desmonie Harrington – North Charleston Police Department
Jordyn Draper – Isle of Palms Police Department
Keden Hufford – Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office

Each of them shared their experiences transitioning from being a college student to entering the law enforcement profession. They talked about what they have learned, how the transition has challenged and changed them, and what it is really like to begin a career in law enforcement. It was especially meaningful for our current students to hear from graduates who were sitting in the same classrooms not long ago.

We were also honored to have a very special guest, newly appointed Chief of Police Scott Perry, who took time out of his busy schedule to join us. Chief Perry spoke with our students about what it takes to become a police officer, answered their questions, and shared his own personal journey and life story that brought him to where he is today. His message was powerful and very moving.

A huge THANK YOU to Professor Wise, Desmonie, Jordyn, Keden, Chief Perry, and everyone who helped make this event possible.

We are truly blessed to have such outstanding graduates and law enforcement professionals willing to give their time and share their experiences with our students. What a way to start the new school year! Exciting times are ahead for CSU Criminal Justice!

08/21/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Matt Gilbert of the CSU Criminal Justice Department on his recent publication! His article, “The Need for More Qualified Liaison Officers in a Topsy-Turvy World,” has been published in the Journal of Emergency Management.

This is an outstanding professional accomplishment and another great example of the scholarship and expertise represented within the CSU Criminal Justice Department. Congratulations, Dr. Gilbert, on this well-deserved achievement!

https://wmpllc.org/ojs/index.php/jem/article/view/4031

07/28/2026

25% Tuition Discount for all First Responders/Public Safety to all active and retired officers, regardless of state.

Charleston Southern University would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all First Responders and Public Safety officers for their dedicated service to cities, towns, and communities across the United States. In appreciation, we are pleased to offer a 25% tuition discount in our Criminal Justice Program to all active and retired officers, regardless of state.
Fall Classes start Aug. 24, 2026

We offer the following degrees 100% ONLINE or on campus TEXTBOOK INCLUDED

*Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Online or on Campus
https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/.../criminal-justice/

*Master's Degree in Criminal Justice ONLINE
https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/.../ms-criminal-justice/

*Master's Degree in Public Safety Management ONLINE
https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/.../ms-public-safety.../

Follow the link below to apply or contact Dr. Gary Metts at [email protected] for Graduate Program or Dr. Matt Gilbert [email protected] for the Undergraduate Program
SACS Accreditation (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission)

APPLY NOW:
https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/admissions/apply/

07/04/2026