Criminology, Law and Society | Justice, Policy, Law,...

Developing Skills

Students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences present their original research at the CHSS Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Fairfax campus. Photo credit: Alexis Glenn, Creative Services, George Mason University

Informing Policy

Criminology, Law and Society graduate students and staff of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy pose with guests after a symposium on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. Photo credit: Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University

Engaging Opportunities

Criminology, Law and Society students attend a special lecture on campus with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Photo credit: Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

The Latest from Criminology, Law and Society

All News | All Events

Stephen Bamford honored with 2026 distinguished alumni award

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Stephen Bamford, BS Law Enforcement '86, with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award in criminology, law and society. Bamford has 27 years of law enforcement experience and is an adjunct faculty member and lecturer in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University.

September 17, 2026

Prospective PhD Applicants Invited to Register for Virtual Info Sessions

Join us on September 10, October 1, or October 21 to learn more about our top-ranked PhD program in Criminology, Law and Society!

August 11, 2026

CLS doctoral student’s research aims to inform jails on selective rule enforcement

Criminology, law and society doctoral student and Dean’s Challenge graduate scholarship recipient Hayley Carlisle is conducting mixed-methods research on inconsistences with rule enforcement at jails.

August 3, 2026

Oct8

Crime and Punishment: What We Get Wrong about Deterrence

Thursday, October 8, 2026 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT Online Location

The Department of Criminology, Law and Society welcomes Professors Daniel P. Mears (Florida State University) and Mark C. Stafford (Texas State University) for a virtual presentation on their new book "Comprehensive Deterrence Theory: The Science and Policy of Punishment."

Details