Globalizing the Criminology and Criminal Justice Classroom: A Virtual Exchange Model Case Study

As graduates are increasingly expected to work across cultures and navigate globally connected justice systems, criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) programs face growing pressure to internationalize their curricula. Although comparative coursework and study abroad contribute to internationalization, their accessibility may be limited by financial, logistic, and safety considerations. Virtual Exchange (VE) offers an alternative for embedding structured international collaboration directly into existing courses without travel. Using a case study approach, this paper examines a VE project implemented in an undergraduate criminology course, including its objectives, activities, and assessments, and alignment with National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career readiness competencies and Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) standards. Instructor reflections describe institutional matching, training, and the benefits and challenges of VE implementation while offering practical recommendations for similar initiatives. Findings demonstrate VE’s value as a scalable strategy for internationalizing CCJ education, while preparing students for an increasingly global workforce.