
Overview
The bachelor's in Criminal Justice consists of an extensive overview of the criminal justice system and an intensive examination of each of the major components of the legal system as well as the study of crime, theories of crime, and crime patterns.
You'll learn the basics in the six-course major core and then specialize in their areas of interest through a variety of upper-division electives. Internships are available for Seniors as well as the Washington Center program and study abroad programs.
Topics Covered
- Criminal Justice Institutions
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Justice Research and data
- Criminology
- Specialized Courses in all areas of Criminal Justice
Program Highlights
- Internships
- Washington Center Program
- Study Abroad
- 15-20 specialized elective courses per semester
- Largest Criminal Justice job fair in New England
- Criminal Justice Club
- Small classes
- Strong job market for graduates
Schedule of Coursework
- First Two years, completion of major core
- Junior/Senior year, upper-division electives and internships
Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Admission Requirements
WSU students wishing to transfer into the Criminal Justice major must have completed 30 credits with a 2.5 GPA
-
Intern
at a federal criminal
justice agency -
Washington D.C.
Semester-long
opportunities -
1968
Establishment proves a
longstanding reputation
Requirements
Learning Outcomes
Recipients of a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice should:
- Comprehend qualitative and quantitative social science research, including basic introductory statistical concepts.
- Describe the constitutional concepts of due process, equal protection, and fundamental fairness in policing, courts, and corrections.
- Know the role of ethics and moral reasoning throughout the criminal justice system.
- Be aware of issues of diversity, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnic, cultural, and class issues, in the administration of criminal justice
- Demonstrate writing, research, communication, and computer literacy skills sufficient to enter into criminal justice and allied professional fields, or alternatively to pursue graduate studies in such fields and disciplines.
- Employ critical reasoning skills to solve problems in selected areas of criminal justice.
- Compare and contrast traditional and contemporary theories of crime causation, and their implications for public policy.
- Describe the importance of the history, development, fundamental concepts, and current operation of our principal criminal justice institutions, their relationships to each other, and their relationships to the larger political and societal context.

I wanted to make a difference. I started off as a Criminal Justice major and I went into it knowing that a lot of things need to be changed. I wanted to be part of the solution.

Thalita Neves
Criminal Justice & Communications
Related Clubs & Organizations
Criminal Justice Club
The Criminal Justice Club provides students with specific information concerning the numerous and varied fields within the criminal justice system and provides students with a better understanding of the criminal justice system through off-campus field trips.
Advisor
Revolution Against Campus Sexual Assault
The purpose of Westfield’s Revolution is to inform/educate both men and women at WSU of the ways in which we can minimize sexual misconduct from happening within the university community.
Still have questions?
Daniel Price
Department Chair
dprice@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 872-8146