Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
Degree: BS
Locations: Online, Rhode Island
Internship: Applied Learning Options, 6 credits
Credits: 120
Re-Think Justice & Change Communities
Criminal Justice is about more than catching criminals — it’s also about serving communities, advocating for victims and striving to create a better system. This program at JWU Providence offers a holistic view of criminal justice and emphasizes the humanistic side of the field.
You’ll explore the interdisciplinary nature of the criminal justice field with courses in political science, psychology and sociology to fully examine the global and domestic criminal justice issues of today. You’ll learn from faculty with years of experience as policy experts, legislators, police captains and detectives. They can offer firsthand insight into how your lessons are applied in the field.
Our Crime Lab and Crime Scene Room also allow you to learn forensic analysis skills in fingerprinting and blood spatter analysis, bullet trajectory research and collection of crime scene evidence.
Students in the Criminal Justice program can choose to add a minor in Community Justice or Forensic Science to dive deeper into specific areas of the criminal justice field.
New! Choose a Three-Year or Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree
You now have the option to earn your Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree in either three or four years. Our new Career-Focused Degree Program lets you complete your degree in just three years with a streamlined, 90-credit curriculum. This option allows you to enter the workforce sooner and save on tuition while still receiving the same quality education and hands-on experiences JWU is known for. If you prefer a more traditional pace, the four-year degree path is also available, offering the same rigorous preparation for your future career.
Experiential Education
From the interactive courses in our industry-standard criminal justice labs to the numerous internship opportunities with local agencies and organizations, you’ll get to experience different parts of the criminal justice field firsthand throughout your education here.
Why Study Criminal Justice at JWU?
- You’ll gain hands-on experience in forensic analysis and crime scene processing.
- Internship opportunities at locations such as the public defender’s office, the attorney general’s office, local and state law enforcement agencies, federal agencies, and more.
- You can participate in experiential field trips – recent trips include the RI Department of Corrections and visits to local police departments.
- The Criminal Justice program has its own annual career fair to help you pursue internships and jobs in the field with recruiters from Homeland Security, Secret Service, Target, Justice Assistance, the RI Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), RI State Police and other local police departments.
- New students can participate in a Collaborative Learning Community, taking core courses together during their first year at JWU.
- JWU has partnered with The Washington Center to offer students an interactive experience in Washington, D.C. where they can learn about careers in cybersecurity, national security, law and more.
Career Possibilities
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers..
- Law Enforcement
- Loss Prevention
- Attorney
- Fraud Analyst
- Victim Advocate
- Forensic Crime Lab Technician
- Customs/ Border Patrol Agent
- Corporate Security
A Catalyst for Change
“My motivation for studying criminal justice stems from wanting to help people that the justice system ultimately fails,” shares Cordelia Dechellis ’24, who is pursuing her juris doctorate to become a criminal attorney through JWU’s 3+3 Law Program.
Considering an Advanced Degree?
While completing your bachelor’s degree, you can also begin work on an online Master’s in Criminal Justice degree through JWU Online. Or, take advantage of our 3+3 Law Program to earn a bachelor’s degree from JWU and a juris doctor (JD) degree from either Roger Williams University School of Law or University of Massachusetts School of Law in just six years.
