Each year the program awards the Susette M. Talarico Public Service Leadership Award to the student- or students- who have shown exemplary service during their time in the program. This year, we have two winners: Delaney Burke and Allison Victoria Reid. Congratulations to both of you!

The Susette M. Talarico Lecture, presented by the Criminal Justice Studies Program and the Criminal Justice Society, is hosted annually in memory of Dr. Talarico, a long-time director of the Criminal Justice Studies Program. With support from the Susette M. Talarico Fund, the Criminal Justice Society, the Departments of Political Science and Sociology, this lecture series has brought practitioners and scholars to campus to speak on a wide variety of current issues in criminal justice.

Interested in Georgia Law? Come join us on Tuesday, February 18th for a tour of the UGA Law school followed by an info session. Check our GroupMe for the link to register! Can’t wait to see everyone there!

Meet our new Academic Advisor, Caleb Tarver!

The Criminal Justice Studies Program and the Criminal Justice Society invites guests to the 2025 Susette M. Talarico Lecture, which will feature a talk titled “The Future of Criminal Justice: Bridging Theory and Practice for Impactful Change” presented by Dr. Renée Mitchell, co-founder and past president, American Society of Evidence-Based Policing.

The Susette M. Talarico Lecture, presented by the Criminal Justice Studies Program and the Criminal Justice Society, is hosted annually in memory of Dr. Talarico, a long-time director of the Criminal Justice Studies Program. With support from the Susette M. Talarico Fund, the Criminal Justice Society, the Departments of Political Science and Sociology, this lecture series has brought practitioners and scholars to campus to speak on a wide variety of current issues in criminal justice.

Susette Talarico, long-standing director of the UGA Criminal Justice Studies Program, has received one of the University of Georgia’s highest honors- The President’s Medal. Dr. Talarico came to UGA in 1977 and became the first Albert Berry Saye Professor of American Government and Constitutional Law. She helped create the UGA Teaching Academy and received many distinguished awards across campus. She retired in 2006 and Dr. Talarico’s service and dedication to Criminal Justice Studies and the University still has an impact on students today.

The New Major Meeting originally scheduled for 1/21 has been moved to 1/28.  Please see message from Dr. Shannon:

Dear new CJ majors,

Convocation will be held on May 9th at the UGA Chapel for students graduating in spring and summer of 2025.

The ceremony will begin at 10:00, but we are asking students to arrive by 9:40 for a group photo in front of the Chapel. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Caroline Bryson at caelch@uga.edu 

Parking available at North Deck and downtown Athens. Handicap parking located behind the chapel off Herty Drive.

To apply to the major a student must: