PROGRAM TYPES
On Campus
Online

DEGREES

BS in Criminal Justice (On Campus)
BS in Criminal Justice (Online)
MS in Criminal Justice (On Campus)
MS in Criminal Justice (Online)

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Criminal Justice | BS

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice Program focuses on the study of law enforcement, public safety, and forensic criminology. The program is designed to prepare students for various careers in or related to the justice system. Students who choose one of these degree paths will find that there is a variety of career choices. The program curriculum reflects the ever-changing and evolving criminal justice landscape. 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 criminology, legal studies, public policy, political science, law enforcement and policing criminal law, and judicial procedure, 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. Our Criminal Justice bachelor’s and program can also be completed online. Recent placements include federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the courts, and private industry.

More Information

Course of Study
Criminal Justice Degree Completion
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Course Of Study

Majors

Criminal Justice Program

The criminal justice major provides students with an interdisciplinary perspective on criminal justice that balances theoretical knowledge and practical application. It prepares them for the criminal justice/human service professions and provides a solid foundation for graduate or professional studies. 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, all of whom bring practical experience to the learning environment. Students take six core criminal justice courses in the first and second years. These courses provide foundational knowledge in the areas of organization and structure of the American justice system, adult and juvenile justice process, theories of criminology, law enforcement and policing, criminal law and judicial procedure, constitutional law, and corrections. 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. With the faculty’s consultation, students are placed into positions designed to challenge them to apply knowledge to a substantive professional experience. 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 internship, students apply learning outside the classroom, helping them build professional competence and confidence. The senior seminar provides a capstone experience by requiring 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.

Law Enforcement and Public Safety 

The course of study in this major include, Criminal Law, Criminology, Policing in America, Corrections, Drugs and Society, Criminalistics, Cybercrime, Criminal Evidence, Victimology, White Color Crime, School and Workplace Safety, Child and Elder Abuse, Probation and Parole, Mental Health and Justice. Field experiences and internships are integral in all areas of this program, and each student’s placement in the community is chosen to reflect his or her interest. Careers in law enforcement and public safety 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. Marshalls Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, (ATF), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (ICE). In collaboration with the Massachusetts State

Minor

Minors/certificates offered through the criminal justice program are:

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

Curriculum Map

Click here to download the Criminal Justice Curriculum Map.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

  • Evaluate and analyze a contemporary CJ issue with advanced knowledge of CJ terminology, major topic areas/issues in criminal justice and criminological theory, and ethical issues in crime and justice
  • Design a research proposal and conduct computer-based statistical analysis at basic (descriptive) level.
  • Examine the interdisciplinary nature of criminal justice and ethical issues in law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
  • Integrate valid, reliable, and ethical research to inform policy and decision-making in the field of criminal justice.
  • Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with the expectations for members of the criminal

Criminal Justice Degree Completion

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 on campus or 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.

Anna Maria College is also a Quinn Bill certified school.

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.

The Quinn Bill, more formally known as the Police Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP), was enacted by the Massachusetts legislature in 1970 in an effort to encourage police officers to earn degrees in criminal justice. At the time, studies showed that the criminal justice system would greatly benefit by having more police officers with advanced degrees in the field. Participant incentives came in the form of percentage increases to their base pay depending on the degree earned: 10 percent for an associate’s degree, 20 percent for a bachelor’s degree and 25 percent for either a master’s degree or a law degree.

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 oral, written and technological communication skills consistent with standards in the field
  • Demonstrate leadership skills that embody a commitment to diversity, social justice and civic responsibility
  • Research, Analyze the larger context in which the criminal justice system exists and the implications of its being so closely tied to social, practical, global and economic forces

Meet Our Faculty

David Armstrong

Senior Advisor for Criminal Justice Operations
Criminal Justice

Guy Bibeau

Paxton Police Department, Supervisor
Campus Police
(508) 494-9010

Dawn Brown

Lecturer
Sociology

Tracy Casey

Lecturer
Criminal Justice

Lucy DelRossi

Lecturer
Criminal Justice

Patrick DePalo

Lecturer, Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice

Carol Erskine

Lecturer
Criminal Justice

Vincent Gorgoglione

Lecturer
Health & Emergency Management

Christopher Mills

Lecturer
Criminal Justice

Ann Marie Mires

Director, Molly Bish Center; Program Director, Forensic Criminology
Forensic Criminology
(508) 849-3434

Seth Racusen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Criminal Justice
(508) 849-3373

Lori Reando

Administrative Assistant in Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice

Anthony Salerno

Adjunct Professor
Criminal Justice

Jason Silvestri

Lecturer
Health & Emergency Management

Joseph Traylor MPA

Adjunct Professor
Criminal Justice

Dianne White, M.A.,J.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Criminal Justice
(508) 849-3417