The Crime & Justice Studies (CJS) program brings together the fields of criminology, criminal justice, and justice studies. Bridging the social sciences and humanities, CJS specializes in the study of the criminal justice system's history, policies, politics, and procedures.
Our multidisciplinary program meets the needs of undergraduate students interested in entering the fields of law enforcement, the courts, corrections, probation, parole, social services, youth services, public policy, research, non-profit, and non-governmental or community organizations.
All students are required to complete a senior year internship to explore career options, gain real-world experience, network, and develop professional skills.
Students pursuing the BA in Crime & Justice Studies:
- develop comprehensive perspectives on the various and, at times, conflicting expectations that exist within the institutions and agencies that comprise and work with the criminal justice system
- engage in cross-agency dialogues within the classroom before they enter the workforce
- learn to identify and analyze structural, institutional, and transnational violence
- gain knowledge and skills toward understanding and transforming injustice
- prepare themselves to contribute to the improvement of their communities and society
Our graduates have careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections, public administration, law, social services, youth services, nonprofit or non-governmental agencies, and community organizations. A growing number of CJS graduates have gone on to complete graduate degrees in law, master's, and various doctoral programs.
Enrollment in the 3+3 joint degree program with UMass Law allows offers an accelerated pathway to an undergraduate and law degree, enabling qualifying students to substitute the first year of law school for the final year of their undergraduate program, thereby earning both a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth and a Juris Doctor from UMass Law in six rather than seven years.
Jenyka Spitz-Gassnola '17, a Crime and Justice Studies student, shares her success and internship experiences in Washington, DC. In Spring 2020 Jenyka completed a master of arts degree in peace and conflict studies with a concentration in organizational leadership.
Internship placements
- Bristol County District Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Advocate
- Bristol County Juvenile Court Probation Department
- Coalition for Social Justice
- Public Defenders Office of Fall River
- Wareham Police Department
- Scannell Lynn, PC, Attorneys at Law Michael Lynn, Esq.
Career placements
- Acushnet Company
- Dynamic Solutions
- EMC
- U.S Marine Corps
- Newton Auxiliary Police
- Securitas Inc.
Graduate schools
- UMass Boston
- Suffolk University
- Ohio State University
- American International College
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UMassD advantages
Develop your analytical skills, make professional contacts, build your resume, and gain confidence in your leadership abilities.
- Internships in agencies and community settings
- Community engagement projects
- Field research on issues that matter to you
- Independent study on special topics
- Networking with professionals in the field
- Inside-Out Prison Exchange: take a course alongside incarcerated students
- 3+3 Law degree: UMass Law’s accelerated program allows you to receive both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in 6 rather than 7 years. In your fourth year, you would matriculate at UMass Law as a first-year law student
- Honors College: take advanced courses, pursue research, and be part of a community of scholars
- Study Abroad: earn academic credits and gain a global perspective on your field
- Undergraduate Research: faculty work with students on cutting-edge research projects
- University Studies: gain the benefit of a broad university education to enhance your knowledge and skills
The crime and justice studies program is an excellent preparation for graduate school in a variety of disciplines, such as law and policy studies: