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

Minors/certificates offered through the criminal justice program are:

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

Click here to download the Criminal Justice Curriculum Map.

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

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

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)

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.

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