The new lab will provide students in criminal justice and social work programs the opportunity for hands-on experience in a variety of real-life scenarios they will encounter in their future careers.
Murray State University’s new Virtual Reality Lab opened within the Criminal Justice and Social Work Department on September 5, 2025. The lab features technology that will allow students to participate in real-life scenarios to put their classroom knowledge into practice, with sample situations ranging from domestic violence to traffic stops to assisting individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
According to an article on Murray State University’s website, Dr. Katy Hancock, who serves as the department chair of criminal justice and social work, was quoted as saying of the new system, “We are excited to open the Virtual Reality Lab, which will help provide another opportunity for our students to have experiential learning, collaborate between the programs, and better prepare them not only for their careers, but for careers that will involve the use of technology. While classroom learning gives students a chance to build theoretical knowledge and critical thought, the WRAP system allows them to apply those concepts in practice. This immersive experience helps them understand the stress and realities professionals face in the field, and it gives them the opportunity to decide if this is truly the career path they want to pursue.”
The virtual reality lab is the result of a collaboration of social work faculty and criminal justice faculty, a partnership that mirrors the real-life collaborations between police officers and social workers on cases. Students will learn de-escalation techniques within the scenarios, as well as communication skills. At the end of each scenario, students will debrief in groups to discuss what techniques worked and how they could improve next time.
Dr. Daniel Hepworth, a professor in criminal justice and social work, noted that the new system will give students the opportunity to learn beyond lectures. He said, “This system allows students to step into the shoes of a professional and experience situations as close to real life as possible within the confines of the building.”
The new Virtual Reality Lab will be integrated into the curriculum, and student organizations and members of the student community will be welcome to observe or participate in scenarios, as well. The program includes the ability to update and add scenarios, giving students the ability to learn on the system continually.
In addition to the student population, another group that is expected to benefit from the Virtual Reality Lab is the University Police Department.
Assistant Police Chief Chris Fike said, “This lab will provide our officers with a unique space to practice a wide range of scenarios that enhance decision-making, response times and overall preparedness. The ability to safely experience and repeat these situations allows us to refine our training in ways that traditional methods cannot always replicate. In addition, this partnership offers our campus community, especially students in the criminal justice and social work program, a firsthand look at the types of calls police officers regularly respond to. It creates a valuable bridge between classroom learning and real-world application, helping future professionals better understand the challenges and responsibilities of law enforcement.”
For more information about Murray State University, visit the school’s website.