Middlesex Community College

Criminal Justice Program

The Criminal Justice Program strives to prepare 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 placed 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.

Criminal Justice Program Options

Students have their choice of two areas of emphasis:

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.

View the course descriptions for the Law Enforcement Option.

Transfer Option

The Transfer Option is designed to prepare students for transfer to bachelor's degree programs in criminal justice and related fields, and is aligned to the MassTransfer Program.  Students are able to develop a strong foundation in criminal justice and also study topics such as victimology, juvenile justice, corrections and policing.

View the course descriptions for the Transfer Option.

Program Specifics

• Students can take both general education and criminal justice courses at the Bedford or Lowell campus.
• Most courses are also available online.
• Some Criminal Justice electives are only offered in specific semesters. CRJ/SOC 156 and CRJ 241 are generally offered in the fall.  CRJ 122, 123, and 231 are generally offered in the spring. Various electives are offered in the summer sessions and winter intersession.
• 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 service-learning must arrange their own transportation to the service site.

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.

Helpful Hints

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education regulations do not allow academic credit to be 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 Program are prepared to:

• Describe the functions and interrelationships of the major components of the criminal justice system and apply this knowledge to problem solving
• Identify and use valid research sources and technology to gather, interpret, and analyze data and present conclusions in both written and oral presentation formats
• Articulate the role of due process and diversity in a social and ethical context and apply to the analysis of current issues in criminal justice
• Demonstrate knowledge of career options in criminal justice and interpersonal skills that support and facilitate professional development and lifelong learning

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. Contact Admissions for details.