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Criminal Justice | BS

PROGRAM TYPE
On Campus, Online

DEGREES
BS (On Campus / Online)
MS (On Campus / Online)

Academic Agreements

Accelerated Degree Program

Criminal Justice | BS

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice Program is an interdisciplinary program that incorporates academic training, practical preparation and ethical responsibility in its approaches to justice. The program is designed to prepare students for various careers in or related to the justice system. The program curriculum reflects the ever-changing and evolving criminal justice landscape and the contemporary problems facing our society. Courses develop a sense of global awareness and a commitment to social justice and responsibility while promoting respect for the dignity of all persons involved in the criminal justice system.

Small classes encourage the interchange of ideas between students and faculty members, bringing relevant and practical experience to the learning environment. Students learn the foundational knowledge in the areas of organization and structure of the American justice system, adult and juvenile justice process, theories of sociology and criminology, legal studies, law enforcement and policing, criminal law, constitutional law, and corrections.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts State Dispatch 911 training program, the College is the first to offer Dispatch 911 training and certification on campus. Our students can explore many fields through internships to prepare them for the criminal justice professions and provide a solid foundation for graduate or professional studies. In addition to a vast array of more localized internships the College offers, it also provides students the opportunity to attend the Washington Center Internship program in Washington, D.C. for a semester. Students have secured internships with the Secret Service, Homeland Security, INTERPOL, and many other agencies.

At Anna Maria College, students have the opportunity to complete their Bachelor’s degree on a part-time or full-time basis in person or online. Further, students can graduate in under 4 years in the accelerated program or can graduate with both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in 5 years.

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Dispatch 911 Training Program

Anna Maria College is the first to create a partnership with Massachusetts E-911 to offer Dispatch 911 training and certification on campus.

Our Testimonials

Curriculum Highlights

Course of Study

Degree Completion

Meet our Faculty

Take the Next Step

HEAR FROM STUDENTS AND PARTNERS

Captain James Peloquin ‘22

Westford, MA Police Department

MUxbridge, MA - Forensic Criminology

Callie Bucchino '23

“Anna Maria had a reputation for having a large amount of law enforcement officers complete the program. For me that was important because it meant that the course materials were definitely relatable to our profession for so many officers to go here.”

“You have many teachers who want to see you succeed. Anna Maria College gave me the opportunity to reach my academic goals.”

Curriculum Highlights

SOC 201/BLP 110/JSS 101 – Students must take one (SOC 201 EC in Societies of the World)

Required

Introduces the student to the “sociological perspective” which involves critically analyzing human behavior in society. Some of the concepts studied are patterns and problems in human interactions, socialization, identity groups, social institutions, deviance and crime. Diversity will be used as a central theme in this course.

3 credits

JSS 210 – Researching the Social World

Required

Students will explore and practice, research, writing and oral communication skills designed to enlighten and provide reflective analysis about the diversity of our social world. Emphasis will be placed on collecting, communicating and analyzing data and literature, the balance between qualitative and quantitative methods, and criteria for evaluating information.

3 credits

JSS 250 – Foundations of Probability & Stats

Required

This course provides a foundation in the theoretical knowledge needed to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and solve water supply problems.

3 credits

CRJ 101 – Foundations in Criminal Justice

Required

The development of an integrated understanding of law, crime, and the organization and function of various components of the American justice system, including: law enforcement, private law practice, judicial system, juvenile justice system, corrections system and human services system, including victim services.

3 credits

CRJ 210 – Constitutional Law

Required

A survey of the U.S. Constitution. Through an analysis of interpretative cases, students will become acquainted with fundamental principles including judicial review, federalism, due process of law, equal protection, freedom of expression and religion, state action, and broader principles associated with constitutional civil rights. (S) (pre-req or co-req CRJ 101)

3 credits

CRJ 212 – Criminal Law

Required

An examination of the substantive law of crimes, constitutional protections and criminal processes. Using a variety of methods and techniques, students will explore the sources of common law crimes and statutory criminal codes, the elements of crimes, and individual constitutional rights afforded from arrest through sentencing. (pre-req CRJ 101) (F)

3 credits

CRJ 220 – Criminology

Required

An exploration of various theoretical explanations of crime and criminality. The study includes patterns of criminal offending, crime typologies, and implications for the practice and prevention of crime at local, national and global levels. (minimum C required for CJ majors and minors) (pre-req CRJ 101)

3 credits

CRJ 250 – Policing in America

Required

A survey of the history, development, environment, organization, and sociology of law enforcement in America. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of state and local agencies, the use of police as an agency of social control, the police as a division of government, and an examination of the role of police within the larger criminal justice system. (F)

3 credits

CRJ 260 – Corrections

Required

An examination of the evolution of prisoner management from Pennsylvania’s Walnut Street Jail to the present day correctional system, with a particular emphasis on the Massachusetts prison system. Students will explore the various philosophies of prisoner treatment, allocation of resources, and prison design. (pre-req CRJ 101)

3 credits

CRJ 499 – Internship or additional 3/400 Elective

Required

An opportunity for students in their senior year to gain intensive, first-hand knowledge and greater understanding of the network of criminal justice, forensics or public sector services/agencies in the community. Students will integrate and apply knowledge, theory and understanding derived from foundation courses and content areas included in the criminal justice program. (F and S)

3 credits

Download Full Curriculum Map

Course Of Study

Career and Internship Opportunity

CAREER

Local Police
State Police
Environmental Police
MBTA Police
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Private Security
Probation and Courts
U.S. Marshalls
Correction Officer

INTERNSHIP

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program should:

Identify and analyze a broad range of criminal justice concepts including the structure and operation of the criminal justice system.
Demonstrate oral, written and technological communication skills consistent with standards in the field.
Apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems and situations and assess their ethical and moral implications.
Demonstrate leadership skills that embody a commitment to diversity, social justice and civic responsibility.
Research and analyze the larger context in which the criminal justice system exists and the implications of its being so closely tied to social, political, economic, and global forces.

Majors

Criminal Justice Program

The Criminal Justice program is a total of 120 credits. In addition to the required criminal justice coursework, general education courses and exploration courses are required. Students take six core criminal justice courses in the first and second years. In the third and fourth years, in consultation with their academic advisor, students develop a plan of study that furthers the student’s intellectual interests and professional goals through the choice of six elective courses. A minimum of four electives must be taken in criminal justice. The remaining two may be from criminal justice or related fields such as forensic criminology, psychology, social work, legal studies, public policy, political science, and business.

The integration of knowledge and practice culminates with the internship/service-learning component and a senior (capstone) seminar. The capstone course requires students to integrate the internship/service-learning component with theory through an individual research project on a current legal or policy issue in criminal justice.

With the faculty’s consultation, students are placed into internship positions designed to challenge them to apply knowledge to a substantive professional experience. Students may take a total of four different internships at three credits per site. Recent placements include federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, federal and local probation offices, juvenile and criminal court, Walt Disney security, victim/witness assistance, correctional agencies, youth programs, and investigative agencies. Through the internships, students apply learning outside the classroom, helping them build professional competence, confidence, and networking for future employment opportunities.

Careers in law enforcement include front-line positions such as state and local law enforcement officers, parole and probation officers, border guards and corrections officers. Additionally, students can pursue careers in federal law enforcement including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, (ATF), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (ICE).

Minors

Minors/certificates offered through the criminal justice program are:

Criminal Justice
Victimology and Victim Studies (minor and certificate)
Forensic Studies

Criminal Justice Degree Completion-Online Programs

The degree completion Criminal Justice program at Anna Maria College is designed for individuals who are employed or seeking employment in fields related to law enforcement and criminal justice. This comprehensive program integrates liberal arts education and strong career preparation. The curriculum is operationally focused and reflects the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in 21st century policing best practices. A strong emphasis is placed on the dynamic aspects of criminal justice leadership and administration. Experienced criminal justice professionals who are distinguished leaders and educators in criminal justice and law enforcement teach the criminal justice program. The degree completion program is offered online.

Transfer up to 75 credits earned in a relevant program at an accredited college or university. Once accepted, students will take the required ten courses for the major, exploration courses, and remaining electives outlined in the course catalog.

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Curriculum Map

The Criminal Justice degree completion program is a total of 120 credits. In addition to the required criminal justice coursework, some general education courses are required, many of which may be transferred in from your previous college.

Course content includes:

Criminal justice and juvenile justice processes (law, crime, and administration of justice)
Criminology (the causes of crime and typologies)
Law enforcement (police organization, discretion, subculture, and legal constraints)
Law adjudication (criminal law, prosecution, defense, court procedures, and decision-making)
Corrections (incarceration, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders)
Prevention of crime (social, community, situational interventions, and public policy)
Research and Evaluation (principles of social science research and policy evaluation)
Technology and crime analysis (crime mapping, data analysis, and criminal justice information systems)

Quinn Bill information

Anna Maria College’s criminal justice program is Quinn Bill-certified by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. As a result, students graduating from our program are eligible for the pay incentives outlined in the PCIPP.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program should:

Criminal justice and juvenile justice processes (law, crime, and administration of justice)
Criminology (the causes of crime and typologies)
Law enforcement (police organization, discretion, subculture, and legal constraints)
Law adjudication (criminal law, prosecution, defense, court procedures, and decision-making)
Corrections (incarceration, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders)
Prevention of crime (social, community, situational interventions, and public policy)
Research and Evaluation (principles of social science research and policy evaluation)
Technology and crime analysis (crime mapping, data analysis, and criminal justice information systems)