Criminal Justice Department

WU Transformational Experience

In addition to the course work required for the BSCJ degree, Washburn University encourages students to complete a Transformational Experience (TE).

The process involves the following steps:

1. Begin fulfilling your TE requirement by visiting http://www.washburn.edu/reference/wte/. This website provides information such as how to declare your TE, who to contact for specific TE programs, requirements (activity plan, assessment, presentation, etc.) for fulfilling TEs, and other useful information. More information can also be found in the School of Applied Studies TE Handbook.
2. Decide upon one TE and declare it according to the process found at the TE website.
3. Create your activity plan with your TE mentor/director.
4. Complete your TE according to your activity plan.
5. Assess your TE and give a public presentation of your TE activity/creative work.

Possible TE activities for CJ majors include:

1. Community Service TE: CJ internships can be counted toward completion of the Community Service TE. There are, however, a few additional requirements beyond the requirements of the internship that must be met to satisfy this TE. In other words, students will complete the normal internship course (secure an internship, complete the forms, submit bi-weekly agency evaluations, etc.) as well as attend meetings with their TE mentor and prepare and present a public presentation. To fulfill the Community Service TE via the CJ internship, contact the appropriate CJ internship coordinator (see Internships).
2. International Education TE: The CJ Department sponsors a two-week study abroad trip to Scotland for comparative analysis of the criminal justice systems of the United Kingdom and the United States. The next trip is scheduled for June 2008. In addition, a program to Belize is being developed and is tentatively scheduled for January 2009. Contact Dr. Gary Bayens at gerald.bayens@washburn.edu for information on these opportunities. Using these study abroad trips to fulfill the International Education TE is subject to the approval of the International Programs Office.
3. Leadership TE: The Department is currently developing a course for spring 2008, AU 300, that will partially fulfill this TE. The practicum portion of this TE must still be completed through the Institute for the Study and Practice of Leadership. Contact Dr. Gary B. Forbach at gary.forbach@washburn.edu for more information on completing the practicum.
4. Scholarly or Creative TE: The Department offers two courses that could contain a creative or scholarly project to fulfill this TE. These courses are CJ 360: Independent Study and CJ 400: Criminal Justice Research. To fulfill this TE, you must have a faculty sponsor/mentor, complete a project in the course, and present your project at Apeiron, which is normally held in April. Consult the TE website for more information on fulfilling this TE.