2008 Woodie Awards
Criminal Justice students in top 10 percent at KWU
Kat Benton
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
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Trying to stray from the mythos that lab work and scene investigation are one in the same, Kansas Wesleyan students have had the benefit of getting their education while having the opportunity to intern and receive many job offers after graduation.
"In the last 5 years, our students have ended up in the top 10 percent of their police academy regardless of the state," said Burchill.
The criminal justice department is home to 44 students under the direction of Associate Professor of Criminal Justice John Burchill. Burchill received his education from KWU in Law Enforcement and Sociology before getting experience in the field.
From working in the Kansas Department
of Corrections to teaching over 23 types of classes, Burchill has seen the transformation the criminal justice department. The department started with an associate's degree in 1975 due to high demand, and in the fall of 1982, it became a bachelor's program that is still available.
"To do well in criminal justice, a student must be scientific, cynical, and analytical," said Burchill. One of his mottos was a quote by ex-President
Ronald Reagan "trust but verify." \
To gain these elements, internships and hands-on experiences are available through Corpus Juris, the most active club at KWU for the sociology/criminal justice majors.
Community Corrections here in Salina provide work experience, and two summer internships with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (which are highly coveted) are usually filled with KWU forensic students. Some of his graduates' places of work include Texas Public Safety, California Deputies, LAPD, City Department of Salina Police, and even the KBI.
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