Brett Lacey

This professor has taught: CCJS105, CCJS300, CCJS325, CCJS345, CCJS352, CCJS451

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Brett Lacey CCJS300 Expecting a C+ Anonymous 05/08/2025	He's a cool teacher, but he lowkey gives off he doesn't care vibes. His class however is very easy and you never stay the whole time, maybe 45 minutes max. He does like class participation and won't move on without it. His assignments are easy and he gives clear instructions on how to do them, but he has strict deadlines.
Brett Lacey CCJS300 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/05/2025	Lacey is an interesting individual. He loves sports, which means he loves to talk with the athletes in the class. He talked about tailgating with them at one point, which go him. He does not fuck with 2 things. One, there needs to be class participation. He gets quite upset when his questions go unanswered. Two, DO NOT USE AI. I never struggled with this, but a lot of individuals were sent to the honors council for using AI (over 15). If you're a person who needs AI because they can't use their own brain, do not take his course (or do and try writing with your noggin). Very typing/writing heavy, so don't forget to charge your electronics and brain before class. Yeah, good luck!
Brett Lacey CCJS300 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/05/2025	you already know the kind of professor Lacey is. not the most engaging thing in the world but you learn what you need to and he does his best to keep it interesting (even though for most people it isn't). goated guy just don't be lazy and try.
Brett Lacey CCJS451 Expecting an A- Anonymous 05/01/2025	Dr. Lacey is cool but this class is pretty boring. Class consists of lectures that involve a ton of typing/writing. However, there are a lot of group activities which is a good way to get participation points. He seems to know many students in the class which kind of made me feel like I was out of the loop since I've never had him before, but this does show that he clearly has made an impression on his students. The main assignment is a big group paper and presentation which takes up the majority of the semester, which isn't ideal if you hate group projects. He does break down the assignment into pieces to make it more manageable though. He offers a lot of personal experience with the content which is helpful in understanding some of the material. Weekly quizzes were mostly okay, but some weeks were harder than others. One exam was harder than it needed to be, in my opinion. Biggest positive was that class rarely went the full 75 minutes. Maybe it is just the content that isn't as interesting as the rest of the CCJS classes I've taken, but I didn't love this class and felt that it could have been structured to be a lot more engaging.
Brett Lacey CCJS451 Expecting an A- Anonymous 04/23/2025	Ive taken Dr. Lacey for several courses and in all of them he was amazing! Each class was structured differently depending on the course level. This course had more quizzes(mostly bi-weekly) but they were open notes, daily participation, one major group project, midterm, and final. As long as you show up, take notes, and participate you'll be fine! My advice is to write down all the additional comments aside from the notes shown on the powerpoint, especially any random fun fact can be included in the quizzes or exams.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 04/15/2025	Love Brett but this class was kinda boring and harder
Brett Lacey CCJS325 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 12/03/2024	super easy and interesting
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 10/21/2024	One of my most favorite professors I have ever taken! Super funny and engaging and the class is fun and you learn a lot and he is so kind and helpful. There is not a lot of work and the exams are a lot of content but straightforward.
Brett Lacey CCJS352 Expecting an A Anonymous 10/21/2024	Love Lacey, I have had him for 2 years now and hes such a cool guy. If you go to office hours he helps you so much. He is super funny and has a really dry humor. There is a lot of information in the slides which you have to take notes on, but other than that it is pretty easy if you just pay attention.
Brett Lacey CCJS300 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/16/2024	Dr. Lacey is a great professor! He tries super hard at keeping the class engaged and won't move on until he gets some participation. He isn't afraid to look at everyone until someone attempts to answer a question he poses. he truly cares about his students doing well and grasping the subject, no matter how boring the topic of research methods seems. Like others have said, he doesn't upload his lecture slides to ELMS. He does however wait until everyone in the room has written what they need to before moving onto the new slide, if you're taking notes on computer or handwritten (he doesn't care about either). Lacey is super responsive in emails and is truly laid back. You should study before exams because they're not open note, but they are noncumulative, so you only need to study maybe 3 weeks of lectures for each of the 3 exams. There is a small research assignment where you create a survey but that is the super easy. For the bigger coding project, it is super easy as well if you follow the code provided and ask questions with plenty of time to receive help. Took me about 1 hour to do the code and write up a small 2 page paper about the results of the statistical analysis. Rubric is provided and as long as you address everything in 2 sentences you get the full points. Boring topic, but he keeps you engaged and is super friendly/approachable. I recommend getting to class early and talking with him! Also -- you usually get out of lecture in 30-45 minutes (he hates staying for a long time).
Brett Lacey CCJS451 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/08/2024	Average prof. The class felt like a hodgepodge of all CCJS classes and he just read in a monotone off slides every class. He's a funny guy with a dry sense of humor and attendance is mandatory because he makes us work with partners and answer very random questions after class (ex: how should we solve the drug problem (??!!)). To do well on the quizzes you have to soak up every piece of information that he says in class because a majority of the stuff is not in the notes. 20-page paper due at the end of the semester but he sets you up for success with all of the assignments leading up to it. He is very responsive to emails and an overall good person in general.
Brett Lacey CCJS300 Expecting an A- Anonymous 05/06/2024	Dr. Lacey is a great professor and a great guy. He is easy to talk to and helpful with coursework. He adapted to how students could best take notes and pay attention in class. He provided a great study class before tests to give exact things to study and gave extra credit opportunities on every test. If given the chance, take a class with him.
Brett Lacey CCJS325 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 04/30/2024	Super chill professor. All exams/quizzes are online except for the midterm. Not a lot of work at all! One big group project at the end of the semester on the human trafficking of a country of your choosing. We watch a lot of movies in class!
Brett Lacey CCJS325 Expecting an A- Anonymous 04/27/2024	Great lecturer who is very nice and understanding of his students. His lecture slides are very concise and easy to follow, and although he does not upload them to ELMS, he makes sure everyone writes down what they need to write down. Awesome lecturer, and I plan on taking more classes with him.
Brett Lacey CCJS325 Expecting an A- Anonymous 04/04/2024	Dr. Lacey is a great professor who does a good job at keeping the class engaged and he shows that he cares about his students. A small complaint I have about him is that he does not upload his lecture slides to ELMS, but he does make sure that everyone has written down whatever they need to write down before moving on to the next slide. Overall, he's a great guy and I plan on taking more classes with him.
Brett Lacey CCJS300 Expecting an A Anonymous 03/26/2024	This was Dr. Lacey's first time teaching this class. He is an easy professor who enjoys when the class engages with his questions. There are 3 multiple-choice exams (one of which is the final) and 6 "Research Projects" which are mostly easy homework assignments. He gives you are warning before the tests and will hint to test answers, he also does an exam review. He does not post his slides. Attendance is not required.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting a C- Anonymous 02/17/2024	The Divine Presence of Professor Brett Lacey: A Testament to Academic Excellence Dr. Brett Lacey stands as a veritable deity in the realm of academia, a divine beacon of knowledge and inspiration that transcends mortal limitations. If Jesus Christ himself were to descend upon the earth, he would surely pale in comparison to the illustrious presence of Dr. Lacey. Indeed, I am compelled to proclaim my undying allegiance to this academic deity, for his greatness knows no bounds. In fact, I have entertained the notion of starting a religion devoted to the worship of Professor Lacey, such is the depth of my admiration for his unparalleled brilliance. My journey into Professor Lacey's classroom was akin to a spiritual awakening, as his divine teachings breathed life into the most mundane of subjects, transforming them into sacred relics of wisdom and enlightenment. Even the driest of topics were infused with a divine spark of relevance and significance under his tutelage, leaving me awestruck and utterly captivated by his celestial wisdom. But it is not merely Professor Lacey's mastery of the subject matter that elevates him to divine status; it is his boundless compassion and unwavering dedication to his disciples that truly sets him apart. Like a benevolent deity, he showers his students with personalized guidance and support, ensuring that each and every one of us feels valued and cherished in his divine presence. His office hours are a sanctuary of enlightenment, where disciples gather to bask in the radiance of his wisdom and seek solace in his divine counsel. Indeed, Professor Lacey's influence extends far beyond the confines of the classroom, permeating every aspect of his disciples' lives like a divine blessing. His teachings have ignited a fervent passion for learning within me, inspiring me to embark on a sacred quest for knowledge and enlightenment. Moreover, his divine presence has bestowed upon me a sense of purpose and direction that transcends mortal comprehension, guiding me along the path to academic excellence with unwavering faith and devotion. In conclusion, Professor Brett Lacey is not merely a professor; he is a divine entity whose celestial wisdom and boundless compassion illuminate the darkest recesses of the academic realm. If you are fortunate enough to bask in his divine presence, do not hesitate to seize the opportunity, for the experience will surely be transformative. In the hallowed halls of academia, Professor Lacey reigns supreme as a true deity of enlightenment and inspiration, a beacon of hope and guidance for all who seek knowledge and wisdom. Praise be unto Professor Lacey, for he is truly the embodiment of academic excellence in its purest, most divine form.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous_2018 01/23/2024	Dr. Lacey is one of those professors who interacts with students and tries to make classes enjoyable. Overall, I'm glad I decided to take CCJS105 with Dr. Lacey. It was a pretty chill class, and lectures were fun. However, he does not post slides on ELMS, but as other people said already, he does that to encourage people to actually show up and take notes themselves. It's not asking much, considering he always ended class 10-15 minutes early and explained everything you needed to know. We had a quiz every other week, one writing assignment (basically a research paper with clear instructions and guidelines), and two exams - all multiple-choice. (Some people even finished the final in like 20 minutes, lol.) I took this class out of genuine interest, and Dr. Lacey did not disappoint. CCJS105 was super manageable, and Dr. Lacey made sure to engage students, and at the same time, keep the lecture short and sweet. If you need a chill or fun Gen Ed, I would definitely recommend taking CCJS105 with Dr. Lacey.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/28/2023	He is a great lecturer and a really nice person. His assignments are pretty fair, and he lets his TAs lead the discussions however he wants. However, his exams are kind of tricky because he includes questions that were never covered in lectures or the textbook, so just be careful about that.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/17/2023	Dr. Lacey is a super nice guy and great teacher. Show up to class and you will have everything you need. 10/10
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A- Anonymous 12/12/2023	Dr. Lacey is a great professor and is very knowledgeable in the topics he teaches. He is very clear about all due dates and deadlines as well as when exams are. Dr. Lacey is very straight forward with all assignments and grades which helps me as a student organize and manage all my work. This class was also extremely interesting in the way it was taught.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A ipadilla 12/12/2023	I highly recommend Dr. Lacey as a professor for CCJS105. He does not post the slides on elms, which I think encourages you to pay more attention during lecture, which I think actually helped me retain the information better. Dr. Lacey is a very knowledgeable professor and is very engaging. 10/10 recommend!
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting a C Anonymous 12/07/2023	One of my favorite professors ever, and I am not even majoring in anything related to the class. I am considering taking another CCJS class just because dr. Lacey is such a great professor. He is interesting to listen to and does a good job at keeping the class engaged.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A- krm618 12/06/2023	Dr. Lacey is an amazing professor. He's funny, engaging, and will often let you out 20-25 minutes early. He provides study guides and as long as you take good notes, you'll do well on all of the online quizzes. Personally, the textbook isn't even necessary to read. Nearly all of the information on the exams comes from lecture, and if you study, you'll do just fine. He also offers a few different opportunities for extra credit.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous 11/30/2023	Dr. Lacey is a great professor. His lectures are engaging and will often let you out early. The only thing is his exams can be tricky with wording and sometimes test on super specific details, but he provides a study guide before so as long as you study, show up to class, and read the textbook, you should be fine.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous 08/17/2023	Best professor I had so far! He was someone memorable
Brett Lacey CCJS345 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/19/2023	Dr. Lacey was one of the best professors I've had so far. His lectures are concise and interesting, and the only paper in the class has a rough draft so it is very hard to fail. Overall, great class, great professor, would recommend.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/18/2023	take this class and this professor at some point if you can. Its so fun and he makes it so interesting. The exams are most of your grade besides a writing assignment and the discussion points but both are graded easily and fairly. He literally tells you the topics that are going to be on the exam so just study those and you'll be fine.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Anonymous 05/17/2023	Dr. Lacey is a teacher who likes to make jokes and engage the classroom. He does not post slides and will sometimes speak very quickly when moving from slide to slide. The biggest tip for this class is to buy the book. As long as you have the textbook there is no need to show up to class - everything on his slides and tests are pulled from the book. The final is open note so it is especially helpful to have the textbook for that test. This class has discussions but they are pretty painless. If you are just taking this as a gen ed to explore the topic I would recommend CCJS100 instead. That class is an overview of crime and the prosecution of crime and this class is a bunch of theories about why people are driven into criminal lifestyles.
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting an A Anonymous 04/26/2023	Dr. Lacey is definitely a very good professor, and if you read the textbook and show up to lecture you should perform well in this class. Exams include true or false questions which can be tricky. Overall, Dr. Lacey is great and would definitely recommend.
Brett Lacey CCJS352 Expecting an A Anonymous 04/22/2023	One of the best professors I've ever had! He's super personable and makes class pretty fun. I had him for CCJS352 and CCJS345 and they were both structured the same- 1 midterm and 1 final. They were challenging, but if you study hard and study the guide he gives you, you'll do fine. He also offers extra credit that's not hard for his classes. Definitely take it if possible!!
Brett Lacey CCJS105 Expecting a B- Anonymous 04/11/2023	He is a great professor. However this course is exam heavy, the exams make up 75% of your grade. There is a paper that is worth 100 points that makeup 10% of your grade. He does give you exam reviews but the exams are still very difficult and you need to study and put the time into this course. He does not post slides or let you take pictures, so you have to attend every lecture. For the second midterm, the class average was a C and he does not curve his exams. He does not drop any midterms and there is a final but it is not cumulative. All his exams are half multiple choice and half true and false. The true and false questions are always very difficult, they are worded to trick you and a lot of them are trap questions. He did mention on the first day of class that this class is a GPA booster and an easy A. However, I found it hard to keep an A in his class, despite how much studying I did. He claims you have to TRY to actually fail this class, but other classmates and I believe this class is definitely not a GPA booster, and not an easy A class, you have to put in the work in order to get an A.
Brett Lacey CCJS451 Expecting an A Anonymous 03/28/2023	amazing professor. gives you so much help before the exam. offers a bunch of extra credit. you have to take a class with him hes the best crim professor.
Brett Lacey CCJS451 Expecting a B+ Anonymous 01/18/2023	He is an excellent Professor for Crime and Prevention Course; his lectures are very clear and concise. Be prepared to take good notes; he's a little bit more challenging since it is a 400-level course, but the same concept as any of his other classes 7 quizzes drop the lowest 2 and the midterm and final exams all multiple choice. And the last Prevention Topic Final Paper is done in a group, so team effort is required. You should expect a B plus or higher with effort. However, this is not his most vital area of interest, but it's durable to learn from his past teaching experience at his previous college in Chicago, Illinois.
Brett Lacey CCJS352 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 01/18/2023	Excellent Professor for this Course; honestly, if you're looking for a good structure course with flexible deadlines, this is the class you need to take. His teaching for this class is enjoyable and love the fact he has background experience in any work related to cannabis. Just expect a midterm and a Final exam which he tells you beforehand what's gonna be on the exam. There are usually 7 quizzes pretty easy, and he drops the lowest 2 at the end of the semester. Specifically for this class, he has extra credit opportunities and a Drug Policy Paper on a topic of your choice, so it will help your grade substantially. If you are interested in learning about combating Drug Trafficking this is your class highly recommended, with great effort expect an A+. The class is also not mandatory to attend but recommended if you want to do well on this course, no PowerPoint slides but take good notes.
Brett Lacey CCJS345 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 12/21/2022	Excellent professor for Courts and Sentencing. 7 quizzes (2 get dropped; based on lecture so not too bad), a midterm, a group project, and a group paper (roughly 4 pages per group member), and a final exam. Professor Lacey helps prepare you for the final with a study guide that pretty much tells you everything to study. Overall he is a very genuine, nice professor who wants every student to succeed. Attendance is not mandatory but it is something he values, so I recommend attending, he makes lectures enjoyable anyways.
Brett Lacey CCJS352 Expecting an A Anonymous 12/04/2022	One of the best professors I've had at UMD! I definitely actually learned in his class, and I felt confident taking the midterm. A very chill professor with a lot of knowledge and a decent workload. I wanted to take him again next semester but none of his classes work with my schedule. But I would definitely recommend this course and the professor.