Department of Government and Justice Studies

Dr. A. Scott Teague joined the Department of Government and Justice Studies in 2026 after retiring from a distinguished 29-year career in law enforcement. Throughout his career, he served with two police departments and one sheriff's office, gaining extensive experience in patrol operations, criminal investigations, narcotics enforcement, Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) operations, community policing, and administration. Dr. Teague holds Advanced Professional Certifications from both the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training
Standards Commission and the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. These Advanced Certificates represent the highest level of law enforcement certification in North Carolina and are awarded based on a combination of higher education, professional training, and career experience.

A dedicated educator since 2002, Dr. Teague has taught both continuing education and curriculum courses at multiple community colleges and universities. His passion for teaching is complemented by extensive real-world experience, providing students with practical insight into the criminal justice profession. Dr. Teague earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from UNC at Charlotte. He later completed an M.A. in Political Science and Justice Studies at Appalachian State, followed by both an Ed.S. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
from Liberty University.

Dr. Teague states, “As a proud graduate of Appalachian State University, I am honored to return to my alma mater as a professor. Returning to App is a meaningful full-circle moment, allowing me to give back to the university that played such an important role in my personal and professional journey. I look forward to mentoring and preparing our criminal justice students to grow into knowledgeable and effective officers.”

Areas of Expertise and Interest:
● Policing
● Criminal Investigations
● Supervision and Leadership
● Terrorism and Emergency Management
● Organized Crime

Education
● Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Liberty University
● Ed.S. in Education, Liberty University
● M.A. in Political Science and Justice Studies, Appalachian State University
● B.S. in Criminal Justice, University of North Carolina at Charlotte