Criminal Justice Degrees

Criminal Justice

Prepare for a dynamic and exciting career in Criminal Justice at Dean College.

Program Overview

Dean's Criminal Justice major offers a comprehensive curriculum structured to prepare students for a variety of career opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, private sector security, the legal system, or social services and advocacy.

Students begin the program with introductory courses in sociology and criminal justice before progressing to required courses in subjects such as criminology, policing, research methods, and corrections. With this major, you will not only be equipped with the fundamentals of policing, criminal law, emergency management, and criminal investigations, but you will also delve into the social science of crime.

Additionally, students have the option to explore areas of interest with available courses in:

juvenile justice
drugs and society
social policy
victimology
leadership and advocacy

Practical skills are emphasized in classes such as emergency management planning, criminal investigations, and a senior capstone project, reinforcing critical thinking and career preparation.

Dean College also offers an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Cybersecurity.

Faculty members are practitioners in law enforcement, the federal government, or the U.S. intelligence community, giving you valuable insight into their firsthand experience working in the field.

Dean College professor working with a student

School of Liberal Arts Faculty

Gain valuable insights from our School of Liberal Arts faculty, who are here to help you every step of the way.

Beyond the Classroom

You’ll have ample opportunity to practice your skills in real-world settings and interact with working professionals.

As a Criminal Justice major, you’ll meet with seasoned experts in the field through campus visits and unique experiential learning opportunities to explore potential career paths. You'll also have the opportunity to complete an internship on campus, in the community, or with a number of organizations, such as FEMA, FedEx, Securitas, TeamOps, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, The Kraft Group, and various state and local police departments throughout New England and beyond.

With a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, you’ll be prepared to enter graduate school or start a career in a fast-growing area such as:

FBI
U.S. intelligence community
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies
Emergency response
Private and nonprofit groups
Corporate security
The courts system
Social services and advocacy

Get Involved

Learn more about how to get involved with student activities, organizations and real-world learning opportunities.

Criminal Justice Club Dean College’s club for students in the Criminal Justice program.
Internships & Experiential Learning Get hands-on experience through The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management.

Internships & Experiential Learning

Go behind-the-scenes of some of the biggest sports operations, learn about event and venue security, network with industry leaders and professionals in the field, and find internship and career opportunities through The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management and our academic partners, including Kraft Sports + Entertainment and the Providence Bruins. Learn more about The Center.
Study Away Spend a semester at The Washington Center in Washington, D.C.

Study Away

Gain valuable experience learning and working in the nation’s capital. Dean College is formally affiliated with The Washington Center, providing you the opportunity to complete an intensive internship while supplementing your experience with courses in leadership and electives. Internships are available in Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice, Government and Politics, Business and much more. Learn more about study away opportunities.

Uniquely Dean

A Dean College student learning during a Criminal Justice class.

Build your skills and pursue your interests through Dean College's Criminal Justice major's unique programming.

Interact with security field practitioners in the classroom, including New England Patriots and New England Revolution security executives.
Enjoy access to Gillette Stadium and other Kraft Sports + Entertainment facilities as a laboratory for learning.
Gain valuable experience through the Dr. Pietro (Pete) Savo Criminal Justice Internship with the Franklin Police Department.
Earn certificates in areas such as cybersecurity and aggression management through your coursework.
Learn from field practitioners who offer insights and share their experiences through Dean Leadership Institute’s unique programs and events, including the Executive Lecture Series and Leadership in Action series.
Network with industry leaders, gain exclusive learning opportunities and pursue internships through The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management.
Work with professors who are also experienced practitioners.