News

A Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice doctoral student has earned top honors for her research from the American Society of Criminology.

Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCCJ) is again being recognized as the top college in its field—earning the No. 1 spot in the 2025-26 national ranking published by PapersOwl.

Researchers from Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice have published an article in ‘Scientific American’ on the rapidly increasing rates of financial fraud targeting older adults.

Bailey Marie Latchford, a junior at Florida State University, is pursuing a dual degree in social work and criminal justice. Latchford is a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and comes from the Hollywood Reservation, one of the Indian reservations governed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Bailey has been a singer since she was a child and during her time at FSU has performed the National Anthem for men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball at the Seminole Heritage games hosted by the university.

Brendan Lantz and the Hate Crime Research and Policy Institute (HCRPI) have received the 2025 Eva Lassman “Take Action Against Hate” Award, presented by Gonzaga University’s Center for the Study of Hate.

Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice has been recognized as one of the top programs in the country, earning the No. 2 national ranking in the 2026 Niche rankings of Best Colleges for Criminal Justice.  The college has retained the No. 2 ranking for two consecutive years, reinforcing its reputation for academic excellence and leadership in the field.  

A first-of-its kind survey conducted by researchers at Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCCJ), shows strong community support for the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center (CRRTCC) and for local law enforcement more broadly.

Florida State University Professor of Criminology, Kevin M. Beaver, is ranked among the world’s top researchers by Research.com, thanks to his outstanding publication and citations record.

Annie English, a criminology and Honors student at Florida State University, is an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, IDEA Grant recipient and Honors in the Major student. English uses her research experiences and involvement at FSU to teach and mentor fellow undergraduates about research. Learn more about Annie, her work and her future goals here.

By: Mark Blackwell Thomas The motto for Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice is, “Bringing research to life.” It is embossed on the 158-lb bronze seal that hangs in the college’s lobby, a declaration of a commitment to research that translates into the real world. Dean Thomas Blomberg said of the credo: “It is part of who we are.” For the seven years he was president of FSU, it was part of who John Thrasher was too.