The University of Maryland, Criminology and Criminal Justice Department is recognized nationally by students, researchers, and law enforcement professionals for its quality and breadth. For the past decade, the program has been ranked number one in the country offering one of a few doctoral degrees in criminology. The Department is intently involved in criminal justice and juvenile justice policy, not only in Maryland but regionally and nationally. Students in the program keep pace with the enormous advances in technology and its application to law enforcement through work with computer crime units in local police departments. Graduates tell their stories and credit their education for their current professional careers as a U.S. Secret Service agent, an instructor and researcher in behavioral science for the FBI, and head of security for a leading national department store. The criminology program at the University helps narrow the gap between researchers and practitioners. Police officers are coming to their jobs with a greater understanding of how research can be directed at practical situations to improve policing effectiveness.