College of Arts and Sciences

Crime & Justice Studies BA

Understand and transform injustices. Study the policies, procedures, and politics of the criminal justice system to improve local communities and society as a whole.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Accelerated degree options
Modality: On-campus; Also offered online

Duration: 4 years, 3 year option
Total Credits: 120

Median pay for police and detectives:: $77,310 Median pay for police and detectives. View career outcomes.

Nathan Upchurch '24, '26: 3+3 with UMass Law

Apply now Plan a visit

Why study crime and justice at UMass Dartmouth?

At UMass Dartmouth, you'll combine the fields of criminology, criminal justice, and justice studies to understand the criminal justice system and how it operates. Our crime and justice studies (CJS) program prepares students for careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections, social services, probation, parole, non-profit, and more. You will graduate with the knowledge and experience to address injustice in our society.

The CJS program combines social sciences and humanities, so students gain a comprehensive perspective on the institutions and agencies that make up the criminal justice system. Students study the history and function of the justice system to understand its broader social and political impacts. You will also investigate alternative models of justice, including restorative and transformative justice, conflict resolution and mediation, and abolitionism.

Launch your career

Median pay for police and detectives

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What can I do with a crime and justice studies degree?

With a CJS degree, you can pursue a career as a:

Police officer
Criminal investigator
Paralegal

Victim advocate
Juvenile justice counselor
Crime analyst

Federal agent
Social worker
Parole officer

Curriculum

As a crime and justice studies major, you'll learn the skills to:

Develop comprehensive perspectives on various criminal justice institutions and agencies
Identify and analyze structural, institutional, and transnational violence
Evaluate the utility of justice frameworks
Improve your community and society
Demonstrate historical and contemporary understanding of systems of injustice, institutionalized violence, and structural oppression

Real-world experience

All crime and justice students will take an internship course during their senior year. Students have recently interned at local agencies such as the Bristol County Sheriff's Office, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Parole Board Victim Services, Fall River Police Department, Greater New Bedford Women's Center, The Cape and Islands Office of District Attorney, and more.

The CJS program also offers community engagement projects, field research, independent study, networking opportunities, and the Inside-Out Prison Exchange program, where students take a course alongside incarcerated individuals.

Academic catalog

Explore the official academic catalog for detailed curriculum requirements, course descriptions and program information.

Crime and justice studies/philosophy student Aaliyah Encarnacion smiling

Student Spotlight

Aaliyah Encarnacion '25

Hometown: New Bedford, MA
Major: Crime and Justice/Philosophy/Pre-Law
Leadership: Student Government Association CAS Senator and DEI Chair
Internship: Bristol County District Attorney's Office, Bristol County Correctional Facility
Achievements: Paste Family Scholarship, Samuel Stone Scholarship

Accelerated degree options

Explore accelerated pathways that may help you complete your bachelor’s degree sooner, begin graduate coursework early, or pursue a streamlined path to a master’s, teaching, or law degree. Available options vary by program and eligibility.

UMassD in Three

UMassD in Three is an advising track to help you graduate in three years instead of four—saving you time and costs and allowing you to enter graduate school or begin your career a year early.

Learn more

Online or on-campus: your choice

Crime and justice studies is also offered online

The crime and justice studies degree is also offered 100% online — same degree, same faculty, same success.

Learn more about the online option for Crime and justice studies

Accolades

UMass Dartmouth is a nationally ranked R2 research university that combines the resources of a major university with a personalized educational experience. Ranked among the top 15 public research institutions with fewer than 10,000 students and in the top 17% nationally for return on investment, UMass Dartmouth is recognized for advancing research, social mobility, and career-ready education.

Nationally Ranked Discovery Across Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences brings together nationally ranked programs, accomplished scholars, and research with measurable impact. Its faculty includes eight Fulbright Scholars and has secured more than $14 million in grants over three years, creating opportunities for students to learn through research, creative inquiry, and community engagement.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about the Crime & Justice Studies BA program? Here you will find answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.

Our crime and justice studies program focuses on the study of “crime” and “justice” policies and procedures to analyze the natural of structural, institutional, and transnational violence. Students gain an understanding of the history, media, politics, policies, powers, and accountabilities of the criminal justice system.

Additionally, each CJS student will gain crucial hands-on experience within the criminal justice system through an internship.

Many CJS majors go on to complete graduate degrees in law, public policy, cybersecurity, and more.

Inside-Out provides CJS students with the opportunity to take classes with incarcerated communities inside a local jail or prison. CJS faculty who offer courses in this program have received certifications from the National Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program.

To participate in the course, interested students much submit an application to the instructor and be accepted into this classroom. Both CJS and incarcerated students who participate receive university credits.

Yes, the pre-law concentration is a great addition to the crime and justice studies major. Many CJS students who are interested in legal careers add the concentration. Students can declare pre-law at any time.

Alpha Phi Sigma is the national honors society that encompasses all the fields related to criminal justice, criminology, justice studies, and ultimately crime and justice studies. To join, students must apply.