Adrian Suarez Avila/ News Director
Imagine having to travel to another continent to pursue studies in an academic discipline not offered in your country.
For Dr. Harry Rhea, assistant professor of criminal justice, this was a reality that he had to confront.
Although he wanted to pursue doctoral studies in international criminal justice, the only programs in his radar were located in Europe, with none being offered in the U.S. But that is about to change.
Starting in the fall semester of 2015, the University’s Department of Criminal Justice will be offering the nation’s first doctorate program in international crime and justice.
According to Rhea, who attended the National University of Ireland, Galway for doctoral studies, criminal justice curriculum in the United States feature a traditional approach to the discipline, offering courses that deal more with domestic affairs in the U.S., such as policing, court corrections, and juvenile justice.
His interest in international crime was piqued at the undergraduate level.
While pursuing a joint bachelor’s-master’s degree at Rutgers University, Rhea became acquainted with research topics in criminal justice that dealt with international law, genocide, and crimes against humanity, among others.
Generally, students in the U.S. who are interested in topics within the realm of international crime attend law school, according to Rhea.
However, the difference between attaining a law degree with a specialization in international crime and a doctoral degree in the same field is that law school provides preparation to practice law on the subject, not to research it and perhaps become a government advisor or academic.
While researching doctoral programs in his desired field of study, Rhea set his sights on the National University of Ireland, which was home to one of the most prolific scholars in international law, William Schabas.
When travelling to Miami on a professional visit to the University, Rhea was astonished when Lisa Stolzenberg, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, informed him that a doctoral program in international crime and justice was being considered.
“Within one second I knew I was taking the job,” said Rhea.
Rhea admitted that he saw an opportunity to expand the traditional criminal justice curriculum, stating that he saw it as a chance not to create a specialization in undergraduate studies, but a more elaborate and focused Ph.D. program.
Some students think the new doctoral program is ideal.
“Since Miami is so diverse and FIU houses students from so many countries, I think the Ph.D. program will align perfectly with the school’s mission to develop globally aware students,” said Marie Desir, a senior biology major.
Stolzenberg agreed with the mention of Miami’s diversity, stating that the city is a premier location for the Ph.D. program, considering the fact that Miami is home to an internationalized community.
Rhea mentioned that Florida is no stranger to international crimes.
According to Rhea, border states, such as Florida, are rife with crimes of forced labor, human trafficking, and sexual slavery among others. Immigration issues are also common in the state, with many individuals seeking asylum within the peninsula’s borders.
“FIU… offers a great contribution to Miami and the state of Florida,” said Rhea, who cited that people in the area will get the chance to not only study in Miami but perhaps also apply what is being learned in the classroom within the same city without having to relocate.
However, a lot of work did go into paving the way for the program’s existence.
According to Dr. Rob Guerette, associate professor of criminal justice, discussions on the creation of the doctoral degree started around 10 years ago.
Ph.D. programs have to be approved at the state level, and the Department of Criminal Justice needed to create a proposal for a doctorate that didn’t duplicate any already-existing programs in the state or country.
In the effort of trying to identify something unique, the idea for the program was the only one of its kind in the U.S., filling a unique niche to further the understanding of international crime and justice issues.
Various University committees, the Provost’s office, the Board of Governors of the University, and the state’s committee had to approve that the program was unique.
Lisa Stolzenberg, along with Rhea and others, spearheaded the efforts to start the program, citing that the time was right–that the program went hand-in-hand with the University’s strategic global initiative.
As the doctoral degree program was initially proposed as an online program, the proposal was denied more than once.
Once it was decided to be an on-site degree, it was approved.
The doctoral degree in international crime and justice will be open in the fall semester of 2015. Regardless of one’s undergraduate training, those interested in the topics covered within the program can already start applying.
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