Crime & Justice Studies
BA

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.

Student success

UMassD senior and UMass Law 1L Nathan Upchurch stands in front of the

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

Crime and justice studies senior & UMass Law 1L fast-tracks his way to a career in public service

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

Grad Reports Best Colleges 2020, uploaded 4/5/23

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