Criminal Justice Degree–Law Enforcement Concentration (CJL)

There are several good reasons to pursue or continue your education in criminal justice: 1) It is one of the fastest growing job markets in the nation. 2) As crime changes and criminals become more sophisticated, criminal justice professionals must increase their knowledge, skills, and sophistication in enforcing laws. 3) The public continues to demand higher standards and effectiveness of law enforcement officials. 4) Through various pay incentive programs, police officers may receive salary increases by pursuing higher education. 5) Criminal justice is also a good foundation for those pursuing a career in law. The law enforcement concentration emphasizes areas such as community policing, investigation, criminalistics, and the administration of justice. The Criminal Justice program is approved as a Police Career Incentive Program by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

Campus/format: This program can be completed during the day at the Gardner Campus.

Helpful hints: Academic and career advising sessions with a criminal justice advisor are highly recommended. Cooperative education, volunteer, and/or service learning experiences may increase chances of employment.

Transfer options: Joint Admissions agreements exist with state colleges and universities including Fitchburg and Salem State and UMASS Amherst, Boston, and Lowell. Check with your adviser to ensure proper course selections. Articulation agreements exist with Charter Oak State College, Hesser College, and the University of Phoenix. This program qualifies for the Franklin University Community College Alliance program. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

Special requirements: Students enrolled in the Criminal Justice program are not eligible for life experience, police academy, armed services, or Tech Prep credits and are limited to six credits total in CLEP, DANTES, and challenge exams. Only courses completed at institutions accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools may be transferred into the program. Transfer students are required to complete at least three of their required criminal justice courses (nine credits) at MWCC. Students should complete Level I before Level II. A Criminal and Sexual Offender Records Information (CORI/SORI) check is required for student interns. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: Municipal police officer; state trooper; special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Department of Treasury; private or public security officer; private investigator; work with victims or advocacy groups.

Earning potential: Varies depending on education level and position.

*Note: SOC103 is a prerequisite to CJU232 and is recommended in the first semester.
**CJU131 should be taken during the first semester.
†Note: PER130 is recommended for transfer
††Note: This course should be taken in the semester immediately preceding graduation.
***Electives: CJU252, CJU254, CJU260, SOC208, SOC212, SPA109 (or higher)
†††Recommended: PSY240, HIS125, SOC205

Elective courses by abbreviation

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Program Competencies

Upon graduation from these programs, students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Apply skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level positions and/or continued study in criminal justice or related fields.
2. Explain the basic concepts, operations, and services of the primary agencies that make up the criminal justice system.
3. Analyze theoretical perspectives on criminality and social deviance and identify specific crime typologies and offender profiles.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in identification and explanation of Constitutional processes, substantive law content, and application of appropriate techniques in the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, punishment, and rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
5. Demonstrate essential skills including reading, writing, communications, critical thinking, reasoning, and knowledge and use of terminology of a criminal justice professional.
6. Analyze current issues facing the criminal justice system and ethical choices confronting criminal justice practitioners.
7. Analyze career opportunities and assess skills and abilities in relationship to specific positions.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information in either printed, signed or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Observe, investigate, make appropriate determinations at mock crime scenes, and problem solve.
5. Function as a team leader, including giving directions and advocacy.
6. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
7. Learn to operate a computer, with or without adaptation.