Examining DEI Integration in CCJ Graduate Programs: Perspectives from Black and Latine Doctoral Students

• In Event: Area XII. Diversity and Inclusion - Higher Education

Abstract

An increased focus on issues related to DEI in higher education has led to critical review of many programs to assess the degree to which these issues are included in the curriculum. Many programs have addressed this through an “add diversity and stir” approach, in which individual courses focusing on gender, race, and other issues are covered. However, these courses are typically electives and attract students already predisposed to support DEI. Elective courses are inefficient for transforming curriculum and improving climates in graduate school. This is especially important for criminal justice and criminology (CCJ) curricula, where identity strongly shapes people’s experience within the criminal legal system. In this study, we interview current and recently graduated Black and Latine CCJ Ph.D. program students to explore their perspectives of their programs’ curriculums, specifically in terms of DEI. Findings point to areas of improvement for CCJ programs

Authors

• Natalie Rivera, Michigan State University

• Kaelyn Sanders, Arizona State University

• Christina DeJong, Michigan State University