University Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)
School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics
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Office
Location: Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Room 244
Phone: (323) 343-4610 Fax: (323) 343-4646
Email: crimstaff@calstatela.edu
Website: https://www.calstatela.edu/hhs/crim
Director
Director: Jane Gauthier
Email: jane.gauthier2@calstatela.edu
Phone: (323) 343-3424
Faculty
Professors: Akhila Ananth, Carly Dierkhising, Jane Gauthier (Director), Lisa Graziano, Denise Herz, Katherine Roberts, Bill Sanders, Katharine Tellis
Associate Professors: Gabriel Ferreyra, Shichun (Asminet) Ling, Xiaohan Mei, Khadija Monk, Jay Vargas;
Assistant Professors: Carlena Orosco
Overview
Cal State LA’s School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics is a leading program in the study of criminal justice and criminalistics in California. Our faculty are dedicated to bridging research, policy, and practice in the classroom and through their research.
Our faculty’s interests and backgrounds include a variety of disciplines, which inspires a diverse and comprehensive examination of the issues related to crime, forensic science, the criminal justice system, and social justice.
The School is located in the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, a state-of-the-art facility shared with operating crime labs for the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The building offers classrooms equipped with the latest technology as well as modern laboratories which provide students the opportunity to fully engage in their educational experience.
We offer several degree programs, including:
- A Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice;
- A Minor in Criminal Justice;
- A Master of Science Degree in Criminalistics.
Students in our criminal justice programs learn and discuss the causes and correlates of crime, how the criminal justice system operates, critical issues related to criminal justice, and how to improve our responses to crime.
Students in our criminalistics program learn and discuss forensic science perspectives and apply scientific concepts uniquely related to the forensic sciences, such as crime-scene reconstruction, the legal integrity of scientific evidence, courtroom testimony, and individualization of physical evidence. The graduate program is a highly competitive program that require students to apply directly to the School as well as to the University. The number of graduate students accepted each year is limited and is based on applicants’ previous and current academic performance.
In 2017, the California Forensic Science Institute (CFSI) formally merged with the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics because the two entities share a mission focused on research, professional training, student support, and community engagement within the justice community. The Los Angeles Innocence Project formed a partnership with CFSI in 2022, bringing together a multi-disciplinary team of attorneys, exoneree advisors who have had their wrongful convictions overturned, and faculty and students to investigate wrongful conviction cases. It is the first innocence organization affiliated with an academic forensic science program and has been described by the National Innocence Network as the model for future innocence projects. CFSI provides other programming and opportunities for students and community members, including the Forensic Specialist Certificate Program (https://www.calstatela.edu/hhs/cfsi/forensic-specialist-certificate-program).
Mission Statement
The School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics contributes to student success and to the advancement of practice and policy by:
Core Values
Knowledge
Providing students with specialized knowledge and skills to become well-informed and engaged justice professionals.
Development/Learning
Creating meaningful learning experiences by integrating technologies, civic engagement, and service learning into courses.
Creating partnerships to provide service and conduct applied research to inform 21st century policy and practice.
Responsibility
Being capable of making rational decisions and held responsible for personal behavior.
Fostering responsible and effective communication practices.
Diversity
Embracing, establishing, and promoting intersectional differences throughout traditional social structures to ensure justice in the 21st Century. This includes embracing difference, variety or multiformity of the workplace and community.
Promoting all forms of justice, public awareness, and continuing education while under our care.
Code of Ethics
We, the students, faculty, and staff of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics are committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct that reflect the following values:
Accountability
• Be held accountable
• Convey actions and behaviors that make a positive difference to peers and community
• Meet ethical obligations and duties to others
Honesty
• Be vulnerable and truthful with ourselves
• Be open and truthful in our relationships with others
• Hold each other responsible with regard to honesty
Respect
• Regard for the learning environment, policies, rules, and diversity
• Respect and follow the School, College, and University’s rules and regulations
• Display conduct that reflects positively upon the School, College, and University
• Treat everyone with civility and dignity
Equality
• Make decisions incorporating the multifaceted nature of an issue
• Consider all points of view when resolving conflict
• Treat all people equitably
• Provide equitable access to resources
• Incorporate diverse readings and research perspectives
Integrity
• Exhibit behavior that reflects the standard we would like to see in the justice systems
• Abide by the University’s Code of Conduct and report behavior that violates the University’s Code of Ethics
• Make decisions/take actions in the best interest of the School, College, and University
• Enforce the standards of the School, College, and University
• Discipline of individuals who fail uphold the standards of the School, College, and University
Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Programs
The School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics offers an M.S. in Criminalistics. Criminalistics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates physical and natural sciences to analyze and assess physical evidence within a judicial framework. Specializations within the field include DNA and serology, controlled substances and toxicology, trace evidence, firearms and toolmarks, and crime scene reconstruction. The MS in Criminalistics is built on undergraduate preparation in the natural and physical sciences (chemistry, biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physics, or a closely related science discipline) and requires a BS or BA in one of those sciences to be considered for admission. The criminalistics program provides advanced, discipline-specific knowledge and practical experience for graduate students interested in criminalistics/forensic science careers. A sequence of required and elective courses provides a broad understanding of the concepts underlying the forensic sciences. The program follows a cohort system and only admits students during the fall semester.
Admission to the Program
For details on minimum requirements and the application process, please visit the Criminalistics website at https://www.calstatela.edu/hhs/crim/applying-our-program.
ProgramsBachelor of ScienceMinorMaster of ScienceCoursesCriminal Justice (Undergraduate)Criminalistics (Graduate)Criminalistics (Undergraduate)
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