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.
While completing your bachelor’s degree, you can also begin work on an online Master’s in Criminal Justice degree through our College of Professional Studies. 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.
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.
In this lab, students step into a staged crime scene to learn how to properly collect evidence and gather information to solve the crime.
In the Crime Lab, students learn how to analyze forensic evidence, including fingerprints, blood spatter and bullet trajectories.
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:
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.
“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.
Our professors and instructors are dedicated to the success of our students. Learn more about our expert faculty members.
Professor and Department Chair
Prior to joining academia, Professor Sylvestre served on the Pawtucket Police Department in Rhode Island for 22 years
Professor
Prior to coming to JWU, Professor Desmarais accrued 27 years of law enforcement experience across a wide spectrum of positions.
Assistant Professor
Professor Frazier worked in the patrol, community policing and detective divisions of the Warwick, RI police department for 20 years.
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