A student in a black jacket and a red shirt smiling and standing in front of a blue banner with gold letters. A poster depicting graduation regalia and information on the Alpha Phi Sigma honor society sits next to her.

Organizations

The department has three organizations for students wanting to meet others with similar interests, interact with practitioners and distinguished leaders, visit agencies and law schools, attend conferences and symposia, participate in activities and service opportunities, and gain national honors recognition.

Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society

A gold graduation stole with the Greek Characters for Alpha Phi Sigma on one side and the Alpha Phi Sigma logo on the other side. In the middle is a medal bearing the Alpha Phi Sigma logo.

We encourage students to become a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. At ECU’s Omega Alpha chapter we value academic excellence and give our students the recognition they deserve.  Criminal justice undergraduate or graduate students, who meet the national standards, are invited to join the most prestigious criminal justice honor society in the country.

More Information about APS

A yellow banner with a blue logo and the words Alpha Phi Sigma The National Criminal Justice Honor Society written on it.

Learn more about APS by visiting us on Engage

Contact:
Dr. Logan Kennedy (Faculty Advisor) at kennedylo22@ecu.edu (Ragsdale Hall, Room 117B)

Criminal Justice Student Organization

A purple and shite shield with images of a magnifying glass and fingerprint, a pair of handcuffs, arms holding cell bars, and a scale on it. The shield is surrounded by a gold laurel and the words Criminal Justice Student Organization are written in purple letters on a white scroll beneath it.

This organization is open to all prospective and current Criminal Justice and Criminology majors and minors (criminal justice, criminology, forensic science, and criminal law and legal process). Members participate in community and campus activities including sponsoring criminal justice-related events and volunteering in neighborhoods to enhance public safety and wellness. Meetings are held regularly and provide members with opportunities to meet and network with local criminal justice practitioners.

To join the CJSO, students must pay a membership fee of $25.00 per academic year. A CJSO t-shirt is provided upon payment.

Learn more about CJSO by visiting us on the Pirate Experience

Connect with us:
Visit the Criminal Justice Student Organization’s Instagram page

Contact: cjso@ecu.edu or
Mr. Chad Jordan (Faculty Advisor) at jordancha16@ecu.edu or 252-737-2223 (Ragsdale Hall, Room 115B)
Mr. Daniel Culver (Faculty Co-Advisor) at culverd21@ecu.edu or 252-737-5417 (Ragsdale Hall, Room 119)

Mock Trial Association at ECU

The Mock Trial Association is a student organization open to any ECU student interested in learning about the law and legal professions. This group is designed to be a resource for students interested in pursuing law school or other legal occupations. The association strives to create law-related learning experiences, provide networking opportunities, and promote professional development. The Mock Trial Association holds monthly meetings, hosts special events, and engages in off-campus learning activities. These activities include attending court proceedings, touring law schools, hosting guest speakers, and participating in mock trial activities.

Learn more about MTA by visiting us on Engage

Connect with us:
Visit the Mock Trial Association’s Instagram page.
Visit the Mock Trial Association’s Facebook page.

Contact: mocktrialassociation_ecu@outlook.com or
Dr. Joseph Hoft (Faculty Advisor) at hoftj24@ecu.edu or 252-737-2415 (Ragsdale Hall, Room 125)

Four students in black suits standing beside a judge in black robes. Behind them is a round black and gold image that reads Great Seal of the State of North Carolina and depicts the image of two women in togas. A woman in a black suit seated at a desk with a microphone and a piece of paper in her hand. A woman in a green shirt and black jacket sits next to her. Behind them, a man in a blue shirt sits with his head resting in one hand.

Criminal Justice and Criminology Ambassadors

Criminal Justice & Criminology Ambassadors is a new initiative starting in Fall 2026. Ambassadors are current students who represent the department at recruitment, orientation, and student events such as graduation throughout the year. They help prospective and newly admitted students, as well as their families, learn more about the Criminal Justice and Criminology major, minors, student opportunities, and what it is like to be part of the program. This service opportunity is ideal for students who are enthusiastic about the major, enjoy connecting with others, and want to support the department’s outreach and engagement efforts.

For more information, please visit the Criminal Justice and Criminology Ambassadors page.

Student Membership in National or Regional Criminal Justice Associations

Students are encouraged to join national and regional criminal justice associations to learn more about developments in the criminal justice field, network with students and academics from other educational institutions, and find out about career opportunities. The organizations listed below offer student memberships.

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

American Society of Criminology

Southern Criminal Justice Association

North Carolina Criminal Justice Association