Criminal Justice Department

Play video: Phil, Criminal Justice | What Path Will You Take?

Westfield graduates are making an impact in all fields of criminal justice at the local, state and national level.

Westfield launched the first criminal justice program in New England in 1968. Our reputation for excellence and student population of nearly 700 draws the largest criminal justice career fair in New England each year.

  • Study the latest developments in Criminal Justice: globalization, cybercrime and technology, criminal justice reform, and serving diverse communities.
  • Personal attention with small classes
  • 13 full-time faculty with expertise in homeland security, religious extremism, law enforcement, corrections and rehabilitation, criminal law, juvenile justice, gangs, multinational crime, & crime mapping
  • 100+ internship placements each semester at federal, state and local levels

The goal of the our department is to develop in students an increased analytical awareness of the role of law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional institutions in the criminal justice system.

Contact us

Dr. Daniel Price
Chair - Criminal Justice Department
Horace Mann Center, 141

Academic Programs

Major

Minor

Master's

Accelerated Programs

Certificate

Department Highlights

Student Information & General Resources

Meet our Alumni

Carlos Canino, Class of 1988, is the special agent in charge of the Los Angeles field division of the ATF.

"When I was at the ATF Academy, I did not struggle, I felt prepared because a lot of the same subject matter that I was given I already studied it here at Westfield. It wasn't new to me."

Play video: Carlos (Westfield State Class of 1988): For a small school, we have a big footprint

Mission:

The Criminal Justice program’s mission is to provide students with the concepts, theories and methods, rooted in the social sciences and legal inquiry, for a better understanding of the realities of crime, criminal justice institutions and crime control/prevention. We also want our students to understand the problems and challenges confronting the criminal justice system such as systemic/institutional racism, globalization, rapid technological advancement, an aging population, mental health, loss of faith in government institutions and many others.  We want to provide our students with the practical skills such as written and oral communication, critical thinking, problem solving and data analysis that will allow them to participate and make a difference in their communities, working in the criminal justice system or as advocates for change outside of the system. As a multidisciplinary program the Criminal Justice Department seeks to work closely and collaboratively with the other departments in our college; psychology, political science, sociology and ethnic and gender studies; and other departments across campus.