2017 Fact Book

47 literature, film, and cultural artifacts to encourage understanding and critical exploration of our humanity. The Department of Writing and Communication’s mission is to foster academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, leadership, research and commitment to community and diversity through innovative and industry-driven academic programs in the fields of writing and communication. The department is home to the Bachelor of Arts in Communication that prepares students to become innovative thinkers capable of understanding complex communication situations and working within diverse communities and media industries. The department offers minors in communication, digital media production, journalism, strategic communication, and writing. Undergraduate students get real-world experiences by working at NSU’s radio station, television station, and newspaper. The Department of Writing and Communication offers an M.A. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media. All graduate and undergraduate students in the department have the opportunity to work in the writing center. The Department of Performing and Visual Arts (DPVA) serves as a cultural resource for the university and community, providing opportunities for artistic expression and appreciation. The mission of the DPVA is to develop arts innovators through interdisciplinary scholarship, arts research, community outreach, exhibition, and performance. DPVA is a major part of the cultural fabric of NSU, and it fosters advancement in artistic and academic creativity, scholarship, exhibition, performance, research, and outreach. DPVA aspires to provide leadership and serve as a major cultural resource for the university and as part of a collaborative community. The DPVA builds pathways to creative careers through its dynamic Bachelor of Arts programs in art and design, arts administration, dance, music, and theatre. Productions and exhibitions highlight the unique and diverse work of our students, faculty, alumni, and guest artists. The entire university and local community are encouraged to attend, engage in, and support these events, which are held in the Performing and Visual Arts Wing of the Don Taft University Center at NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. The Department of Justice and Human Services (DJHS) is comprised of academic programs, grant- funded research, and outreach projects focused on some of today’s most urgent social challenges. These include substance use and health disparities, criminal justice, developmental disabilities, and the accessibility of services for returning veterans. DJHS is committed to values-based leadership and to the collaborative spirit of academic work at NSU. The department’s academic offerings include programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. DJHS is home to a B.S. in Criminal Justice, B.S. in Paralegal Studies, B.S. in Human Services Administration, and a B.S. in Recreational Therapy. The B.S. in Paralegal Studies, approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), prepares students for entry-level paralegal positions in the common areas of law practice. DJHS also offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies. The B.S. in Criminal Justice explores the questions surrounding crime, punishment, and rehabilitation, as well as examining the theoretical basis of criminal justice. The M.S. in Criminal Justice prepares students through a strong core curriculum in criminal justice and allows for specialty training through various concentrations focused on key issues within the field, including legal perspectives, behavioral science, substance abuse, and strategic community planning, among others. This multidisciplinary structure facilitates choice for students and fosters the development of specialized expertise. The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice opens opportunities in the areas of research, academia, and management to those who are ready to advance their careers within the many subfields of criminal justice. The Human Factors in Aviation concentrations within the Human Services Administration program are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the human factors associated with flight. These factors include problem-solving skills, decision-making, communication, attention, stress management, and physical condition. Within these concentrations, students have the opportunity to gain the training necessary to become professional aviators and obtain a Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, a Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine Rating, and/or Flight Instructor Certificate.