The criminal justice major provides students with an interdisciplinary perspective that balances both theoretical knowledge and practical application. The major prepares students for the criminal justice/human service professions and provides a solid foundation for graduate or continuing education students. Courses develop a sense of global awareness and a commitment to social justice and responsibility while promoting respect for the dignity of all persons involved in the criminal justice system.

The integration of knowledge and practice culminates with the internship or service learning component (capstone seminar). Through the internship, students apply learning outside the classroom, helping them to build professional competence and confidence. Recent placements include federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, federal and local probation, juvenile and criminal court, Walt Disney security, victim/witness assistance, correctional agencies, youth programs, and investigative agencies.

Students take six core criminal justice courses in the first and second years. In the third and fourth years, students, in consultation with their academic advisor, develop a plan of study which furthers the student's intellectual interests and professional goals through the choice of six elective courses. A minimum of four electives must be taken in criminal justice. The remaining two may be from criminal justice or related fields such as psychology, social work, legal studies, public policy, political science, and business. Courses include:

Leadership
Researching the Social World
Applied Statistics and Quantitative Analysis
American Legal Systems
Criminal Law and Procedure
Constitutional Law
Criminology
Policing in America
Corrections

Students in any major may minor in Criminal Justice. In addition to three upper-level criminal justice elective, required courses include Criminal Law and Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Criminology.

The recognition of victim's issues has taken on great importance in this day and age. Victims of all types require advocates and service providers that can assist them in understanding their rights and guiding them through the various processes and resources available to them.

In response, Anna Maria College has developed an interdisciplinary minor/certificate program in Victimology and Victim Studies. The curriculum draws on coursework in Criminal Justice, Human Development, Nursing, Psychology and Social Work. Students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in any field or concentration may earn a minor in Victimology and Victim Studies though the completion of four required courses and two electives. Students who currently, or seek to work in law enforcement, the courts, corrections and professional settings involving work with victims of crime, families of crime victims, victims of disaster and the community at large may pursue a certificate program in Victimology and Victim Studies through the completion of four required courses and four electives.

For more information, please contact:
Elzbieta Manos
Chair, Division of Business, Law and Public Policy
(508) 849-3437
emanos@annamaria.edu