Behavioral Sciences Organizations

Criminal Justice

The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) is an international organization established in 1963 to foster professional and scholarly activities in the field of criminal justice. ACJS' focus is to examine critical issues and to advance knowledge in criminal justice, research, criminal justice education and policy analysis.  ACJS is a professional organization dedicated to criminal justice research, education and policy analysis. ACJS promotes scholarly research and professional activities within the discipline of criminal justice for educators and practitioners. During the past decade, the Academy has matured into one of the major scholarly associations in the field. The Academy provides a forum for disseminating ideas related to issues in research, policy, teaching, and education within the field. Additionally, the Academy encourages diversity through sections that address individual specialties and interests. For more information see www.acjs.org.

The American Society of Criminology
The American Society of Criminology is an international organization concerned with criminology, embracing scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the etiology, prevention, control and treatment of crime and delinquency. This includes the measurement and detection of crime, legislation and practice of criminal law, as well as the law enforcement, judicial and correctional systems.  The American Society of Criminology's objective is to bring together a multidisciplinary forum fostering criminology study, research, and education. Its members include practitioners, academicians, and students in the many fields of criminal justice. For more information go to www.asc41.com.

Lambda Alpha Epsilon - The American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA/LAE)
The American Criminal Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon (ACJA/LAE) was founded in 1937. Membership in the Association is composed of persons who are employed in an area concerned with the administration of criminal justice or enrolled in a program of study in the field of criminal justice at a university or college accredited by a recognized national or regional accreditation association.  Since 1969, the Association has committed itself to the broader concept of criminal justice, incorporating the total system which includes police, the courts, and corrections. ACJA/LAE has continued to grow since its ‘nationalization.’ Currently, there are over 180 active chapters of ACJA/LAE in many of the colleges and universities through the United States that have criminal justice programs. There are also professional chapters for those already employed in the criminal justice field.  The Association holds a National Conference every year with excellent workshops and speakers; competitions including criminal law, crime scene investigation, juvenile law, physical agility; and a National Pistol Match. The Association also offers and awards scholarships each year to members who wish to apply for them. The LAE Journal and the National Newsletter are the “official” publications of the Association. For more information go to www.acjalae.org.

Harding Criminal Justice Association - Alpha Theta Omega
The objectives of the Harding Criminal Justice Association - Alpha Theta Omega are: to improve criminal justice through educational activities; foster professionalism in law enforcement personnel and agencies; promote professional, academic, and public awareness of criminal justice issues; encourage the establishment and expansion of higher education and professional training in criminal justice; provide a unified voice for professionals in, and students of, criminal justice; promote high standards of ethical conduct, professional training, and higher education within the criminal justice field.
Contact Sam Jeffrey - sjeffrey@harding.edu - Box 12260

National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)
Based in Washington, D.C., the National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) represents state, tribal and local governments on crime prevention and crime control issues. Its members represent all facets of the criminal and juvenile justice community, from law enforcement, corrections, prosecution, defense, courts, victim-witness services and educational institutions to federal, state and local elected officials. The NCJA is a national voice in shaping and implementing criminal justice policy since its founding in 1971. As the representative of state, tribal and local criminal and juvenile justice practitioners, the NCJA works to promote a balanced approach to communities' complex public safety and criminal and juvenile justice system problems. The NCJA recognizes the importance of interrelationships among criminal and juvenile justice agencies and between these agencies and the community and the strong, steady advocacy necessary to achieve comprehensive planning and policy coordination goals. For more information go to www.acjalae.org.

Alpha Phi Sigma - The National Criminal Justice Honor Society
Alpha Phi Sigma is the only National Criminal Justice Honor Society for Criminal Justice Majors. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students of criminal justice, as well as students in the juris doctorate field.  Alpha Phi Sigma, The National Criminal Justice Honor Society, invites students to join the thousands of prominent people who have become members of this established honorary. Today, Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) has over 250 chapters. Each chapter is made up of students who share the commitment to learning and improving the criminal justice field. For more information go to www.alphaphisigma.org.

Psychology

Psi Chi
Psi Chi is an international honor society whose purpose shall be to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology.
Contact Jeremiah Sullins - jsullins@harding.edu - Box 12260

Social Work

National Association of Social Workers
The National Association of Social Workers is a student's best connection to the ideas, information, resources, and people that will help her/him achieve her/his full potential as a student and a future social work professional. When a student joins, she/he receives all of the benefits of regular membership at one-quarter the regular dues. After graduation, the student pays half the regular dues for two years to help her/him get established in the profession.

North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW)
The North American Christians in Social Work supports the integration of Christian faith and professional social work practice in the lives of its members, the profession and the church, promoting love and justice in social service, and social reform. Student memberships are available.

Social Work Student Association
The Social Work Student Association strives to be a voice for the voiceless.  The Social Work Student Association tries to imitate Christ in the way that they serve others by actively being His hands and feet.  Anyone is welcome to be a member of the Social Work Student Association regardless of declared major or classification.
Contact Kim Baker-Abrams - kbaker@harding.edu - Box 12260
Kathy Helpenstill - khelpenstill@harding.edu - Box 12260