WELCOME!
About Us
The Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice at Shepherd University has a long and rich tradition of preparing students for employment in academic, governmental, non-profit, and law-enforcement organizations. The department is made up of four full-time faculty who are dedicated to undergraduate teaching excellence and preparing students for success in careers and personal endeavors. Our diverse, experienced adjunct faculty also support the department’s majors, concentrations, and minors. We offer two majors (both with two concentrations), as well as three minors.
B.A. in Criminal Justice
Concentrations
Law Enforcement and Administration
Forensics
B.S. in Sociology
Concentrations
Culture and Society
Criminology
Interested in one of our degrees? Click here to apply!
Complete information about our degree programs, as well as information about careers, can be found in the SCCJ Reference Guide.
Looking for the Criminal Justice Lecture Series?
SCCJ YouTube Channel! Criminal Justice Lecture Series Zoom Link
Criminal Justice Lecture Series Home Page | Archives
Upcoming Criminal Justice Lecture Series Speaker
Wednesday, November 16th | 1:10-2 p.m.
Keith L. Wheaton
“Finding Justice”
Abstract
The Eastern Panhandle has severe problems within the Criminal Justice system, as does the rest of the country. There are problems with unequal arrests and prosecutions based on race and income, problems treating those addicted, mental illness, and unequal punishment. The role of the defense attorney is to find justice in these cases, provide more than adequate legal service and represent the voiceless. This also applies to cases involving civil rights violations, including police misconduct, employment discrimination, education, voting, housing, and the like.
Bio
Keith L. Wheaton, the son of the late Walter L. and Audrey M. Wheaton, is a native of Roanoke, Virginia, and attended Roanoke City Public Schools. After graduating from William Fleming High School in 1985, Mr. Wheaton matriculated to Hampton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1989. Seeking his dream of becoming a practicing attorney, Mr. Wheaton attended West Virginia University College of Law on a W.E.B. DuBois Fellowship, graduating in 1992. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Wheaton worked for the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue and eventually transitioned into the private practice of law in 1996. From 1996-2007, Mr. Wheaton owned his law practice in Martinsburg, WV, where he focused on civil and criminal litigation in the state and federal courts of West Virginia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
The department is part of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS).