Associate in Science

Bedford Campus and Lowell Campus - Day and Online

Program Description:

The curriculum emphasizes both an academic and practical approach to the three major areas of criminal justice - law enforcement, courts and corrections - providing students with basic knowledge of legal issues facing practitioners in these fields. Emphasis is placed on oral and written communications, as well as interpersonal skill-building and understanding of the multicultural issues necessary for working with diverse populations. This major offers students the opportunity to investigate the various social, political, legal, and ethical concerns embedded in criminal justice issues.  This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state universities and the University of Massachusetts.

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Career and Transfer Outlook:

Students are prepared for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and career employment. Graduates have secured employment within all areas of the criminal justice field.

Helpful Hints:

No academic credit is awarded for life experience, or for military, police academy or other training.

Service-Learning: Students are encouraged to participate in Service Learning opportunities offered by the college.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Criminal Justice Program are prepared to:

1.  Describe the functions and interrelationships of the major components of the criminal   justice system and apply this knowledge to problem solving contemporary challenges in the field.

2. Identify and use valid research sources and technology to gather, interpret, and analyze data and present conclusions in both written and oral presentation formats.

3.  Articulate the role of due process, diversity, and equity in a social and ethical context and apply these values to the analysis of current issues in criminal and social justice. 

4.  Exhibit knowledge of career options in criminal justice and demonstrate interpersonal skills facilitate professional development and lifelong learning.

5.  Demonstrate an understanding of the social, political, economic, and cultural factors that influence the development of criminological theory and its application to criminal behaviors.