Middlesex Community College

Criminal Justice Department

The Criminal Justice Program prepares students for career employment in criminal justice agencies and related fields as well as for transfer to bachelor's degree programs. The curriculum emphasizes both an academic and practical approach to the three major areas of criminal justice: police, courts and corrections, providing the student with basic knowledge of legal issues facing practitioners in these fields. Emphasis is place on oral and written communications skills, as well as interpersonal skill building and understanding of multicultural issues necessary for working with diverse populations. The program's faculty bring many years of professional job-related experience to the classroom. Several courses offer the opportunity for students to engage in service-learning in the community.

Students have their choice of three areas of emphasis:
Administration of Justice Option
The Administration of Justice Option is designed for students interested in working in such criminal justice fields as probation, parole, corrections, victim/witness advocacy and related occupations. Students are able to develop a strong foundation in criminal justice and also study topics such as victimology, juvenile justice and corrections.
Law Enforcement Option

The Law Enforcement Option is designed for students interested in working as police officers and in other law enforcement careers. This option provides students with a strong foundation in criminal justice and the opportunity to focus their studies in the areas of law enforcement and policing.
Transfer Option
The Transfer Option is designed to prepare students for transfer to bachelor's degree programs in criminal justice and related fields. Students are able to develop a strong foundation in criminal justice and also study topics such as victimology, juvenile justice, corrections and policing.

Admissions Prerequisites
· High school diploma or G.E.D.
· Score of 68 or better on reading portion of MCC Placement Test. Ability to successfully complete English Composition (ENG 101) and Algebra II or equivalent (MAT 080 or equivalent).

Program Specifics
· Students can take both general education and criminal justice course days or evening at the Bedford or Lowell campus.
· Developmental course work may be required based upon college placement testing.
· Students must maintain an overall grade average of 2.0 (C-) or better to be graduated from the program.
· Students who choose to enroll in the internship courses must arrange their own transportation to the job site.
· Many graduates of the program have gone on to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees at other institutions.

Standard Skills for Criminal Justice
· The program requires that students demonstrate sufficient emotional maturity, academic ability and analytical skills to attain positions of responsibility in the community.
· Applicants are expected to understand and respect the diversity of people and possess a willingness to work with all segments of society.
· A felony conviction may be an impediment to employment in certain criminal justice fields.

Career and Transfer Outlook
· Students are prepared for career employment and for transfer to bachelor's degree programs. Graduates have secured employment with local, federal and international law enforcement aenies, as well as other criminal justice profession.

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

Service-Learning: Students are encouraged to gain experience in community organizations by participating in Service-Learning opportunities offered in courses throughout the degree program

Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Option program are prepared to:
· Describe the functions and interrelationships of the major components of the criminal justice system;
· Evaluate and utilize effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication;.
· Identify valid research sources and use technology as a research tool;
· Demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards in the criminal justice system and apply these standards to practical situations
· Describe the diversity of experiences and viewpoints within society and analyze how perceptions are affected by culture;
· Recognize a social problem, develop a problem-solving approach, formulate and evaluate effective responses;
· Apply the law to a set of facts and describe possible outcomes;
· Demonstrate knowledge of career options in criminal justice and an understanding of qualifications and professional expectations.

Note: In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. See Admissions for details.