Melanie Worsley Becomes First Graduate of TAMIU's Inaugural PhD Program in Criminal Justice
On Thursday, a Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) student crossed the Commencement stage and walked into history as the first graduate of the University's PhD program in Criminal Justice.
Dr. Melanie Worsley, associate provost, Assessment and Academic Operations, and professor at Washburn University, completed her TAMIU doctoral work online from Kansas, while working full-time.
Her doctoral dissertation focused on intimate partner violence from the perspectives of multiple communities affected by this crime including victims-survivors, perpetrators, victim advocates, police officers, psychologists, educators and legal professionals.
"I believe the lived experiences of individuals within the Criminal Justice system are essential for further exploration," Dr. Worsley said, "My research will focus on highlighting these experiences, with the goal of amplifying their voices. By doing so, I aim to contribute to policies that foster better long-term outcomes for individuals, communities, and the Criminal Justice system as a whole."
Worsley's research took a novel approach, shifting away from the large data sets commonly used in Criminal Justice studies to focus on lived experiences of people who have directly engaged with the criminal justice system. Over the course of her dissertation, she conducted more than 48 hours of interviews with diverse participants, thus providing a rich, human-centered narrative of intimate partner violence.
Dr. Kate Houston, TAMIU associate professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice, and Worsley's dissertation chair, described her work as groundbreaking for criminal justice scholarship.
"Melanie’s research represents a new direction," said Dr. Houston, "While there will always be a place for big data in this field, research which elevates and gives voice to the lived experiences of those who have engaged with our justice system at times of crisis is increasingly a focus of a modern scholarship in Criminal Justice."
"Melanie completed this research as a non-traditional student, working full-time, with the support of her family. Melanie’s experiences with our PhD program in Criminal Justice demonstrate the ways in which technology can open up new opportunities for our students, maintaining academic rigor while enhancing flexibility and access," Houston continued.
Dr. Melanie Worsley, right, with Dr. Kate Houston, TAMIU associate professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice.
TAMIU's PhD in Criminal Justice program, launched just three years ago, aims to produce graduates who have the theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and marketable skills to assume high level leadership roles in various areas of Criminal Justice practice such as those found in academia, government, and the private sector.
Worsley's graduation marks a historic accomplishment for the program, which has already started to generate research that bridges theory and practice.
Worsley said the program provided the freedom she needed to excel while juggling her doctoral studies and full-time job.
"It was exciting to be part of a new program that offered the flexibility to meet my academic and professional needs," Worsley said, "The opportunity to work closely with Dr. Houston and other Criminal Justice faculty allowed me to receive personalized guidance and support throughout my studies."
"Although I was a distance student, I developed meaningful and lasting friendships with both faculty and classmates, fostering a strong sense of connection and community," she continued.
The challenges of pursuing a PhD while working full-time were significant, but Worsley remained committed to her goal.
"I pursued a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice because I am committed to conducting applied research that directly supports individuals, communities, and practitioners in the field," she said, "My goal is to develop evidence-based solutions that enhance the fairness and effectiveness of criminal justice policies and practices. Through this work, I aim to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring my findings lead to meaningful, real-world improvements in the system."
Worsley's advice for future PhD students is simple: embrace the journey and the growth that comes with completing a doctoral program.
"Give yourself the space to learn, explore, and evolve—stay curious," she said, "Discipline and motivation are essential, but building strong connections with faculty and classmates is equally important. The support I received from faculty, particularly my dissertation chair Dr. Kate Houston, and from my classmates was key to my academic success."
As the first graduate of TAMIU’s PhD in Criminal Justice program, Worsley's success is a testament to the program's ability to produce scholars who not only contribute to academic knowledge but also make significant impacts on real-world issues.
Worsley said she is committed to providing evidence-based insights that help practitioners and policymakers develop practices that better serve individuals and communities affected by the Criminal Justice system.
"By giving voice to those directly impacted, my work seeks to contribute to more effective policies and practices that lead to improved outcomes for everyone involved," she said, "Ultimately, I hope to enhance the overall functioning of the criminal justice system through a deeper understanding of the experiences of those within it."
Dr. Houston said Dr. Worsley's future is bright.
"Melanie has already started to leave her imprint on the Criminal Justice system with her ground-breaking dissertation on intimate partner violence," she said, "Looking to the future we are all excited to see Melanie continue to grow her research career while ensuring commitment to evidence-based practices due to her experiences with the TAMIU CJ PhD program."
Registration for Spring 2025 classes at TAMIU is underway online via Uconnect.
To learn more about TAMIU’s Registration processes, visit the dedicated Registration Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/registration. Spring 2025 Classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
More on the University’s story is available at tamiu.edu and on the University’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
