Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Program at Mount Wachusett Community College provides students with the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Law Enforcement or an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a career or transfer track. Upon completion of a program, students are prepared for positions in various criminal justice, law enforcement and corrections settings. During the course of study, students will develop skills and competencies in communications, critical thinking, reasoning, and use of terminology of a criminal justice professional. Students will gain knowledge of constitutional processes, substantive law content, and application of appropriate techniques in the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, punishment, and rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
Criminal Justice Degree–Law Enforcement Concentration (CJL)
The mission statement for the Criminal Justice program at MWCC is to provide students with academic preparation for career entry, transfer to four-year institutions, and life-long learning through a broad-based and comprehensive curriculum, supported by community partnerships and guided by the demand of the criminal justice workforce. The law enforcement concentration emphasizes areas such as community policing, investigation, criminalistics, and the administration of justice.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| SOC 103 | Introduction To Sociology | 3 |
| MAT 126 | Topics In Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| CJU 131 | Introduction To Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJU 133 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| PSY 105 | Introduction To Psychology | 3 |
| CJU 134 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJU 232 | Introduction To Criminology | 3 |
| Science Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL 211 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Restrictive Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| CJU 233 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJU 228 | Effective Written Communication for the CJ Practitioner | 3 |
| PHL 220 | Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| PSY 240 or SOC 205 | Abnormal Psychology (or Social Problems) | 3 |
| Restrictive Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| CJU 245 | American Policing (Formerly CJU140) | 3 |
| CJU 255 | Seminar In Criminal Justice 2 | 3 |
| CJU 247 | Psychology in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 60-61 | |
- 1
Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation. Lab science required for transfer
- 2
This course should be taken in the semester immediately preceding graduation
Restrictive Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| CJU 110 | Introduction To Criminalistics (formerly CJU 234) 1 | 3 |
| CJU 120 | Critical Incident Stress & Trauma Yoga | 4 |
| CJU 252 | Internship In Criminal Justice 1 | 3 |
| PHL 250 | Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| SOC 129 | Drug Use And Abuse In American Society | 3 |
| SOC 208 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| SOC 212 | Victimology | 3 |
| SPC 113 | Speech (formerly THE113) | 3 |
- 1
Recommended
See Criminal Justice program student learning outcomes and technical standards.
Student Success Tips
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. Technology is integrated into all aspects of attending college in the 21st century. Students are expected to have proficient computer skills and the ability to access the internet via desktop/laptop computers, smartphones or tablets. Internet access may be from home or through a public site such as a local public library, public college or at any Mount Wachusett Community College campus.
Transfer Options
For transfer options, please click here. It is recommended that you also consult with your academic advisor.
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, DSST, and challenge exams. Only courses completed at institutions accredited by appropriate regional institutional accrediting agencies 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 seeking to participate in internships may be subject to meeting additional technical standards and requirements which may include immunizations, a criminal/sexual offender records information check (CORI/SORI), fingerprinting, and drug testing. Some of these may be completed at student's expense. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Career Options/Earning Potential
For career options, please click here. Also, please visit the Massachusetts Career Information System and the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information.
Criminal Justice Degree - Transfer Track (CJT)
The Criminal Justice -Transfer Track has been developed in conjunction with the state Board of Higher Education initiatives to align transferability of all credits earned at MWCC. Interested students should check the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Website A2B Degree site to get an updated list of the baccalaureate institutions that partner with MWCC Criminal Justice program in this endeavor and the related requirements associated to transfer.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| SOC 103 | Introduction To Sociology | 3 |
| MAT 143 | Statistics | 3 |
| CJU 131 | Introduction To Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJU 133 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| PSY 105 | Introduction To Psychology | 3 |
| CJU 134 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJU 232 | Introduction To Criminology | 3 |
| Science Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL 211 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| CJU 233 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| Humanities Elective 2 | 3 | |
| CJU 228 | Effective Written Communication for the CJ Practitioner | 3 |
| PHL 220 | Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| Lab Science Elective 3 | 4 | |
| Humanities Elective 4 | 3 | |
| CJU 245 | American Policing (Formerly CJU140) | 3 |
| CJU 255 | Seminar In Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJU 247 | Psychology in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 61-62 | |
- 1
Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation. EAS 130 is suggested.
- 2
Humanities Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation. ENG 106 and/or HUM 240 recommended.
- 3
Lab Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
- 4
Humanities Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation. PHL 110, PHL 250, or SPC 113 recommended.
Student Success Tips
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. Technology is integrated into all aspects of attending college in the 21st century. Students are expected to have proficient computer skills and the ability to access the internet via desktop/laptop computers, smartphones or tablets. Internet access may be from home or through a public site such as a local public library, public college or at any Mount Wachusett Community College campus.
Transfer Options
For transfer options, please click here. It is recommended that you also consult with your academic advisor.
MassTransfer
Students who plan to transfer to a Massachusetts state university or a University of Massachusetts campus may be eligible to transfer under the MassTransfer agreement, which provides transfer advantages to those who qualify.
Please click here for MassTransfer information.
Special Requirements
Students enrolled in the Criminal Justice program may be eligible for life experience, police academy, armed services, Tech Prep credits, CLEP, DSST, and challenge exams. Only courses completed at institutions accredited by appropriate regional institutional accrediting agencies may be transferred into the program. Students seeking to participate in internships may be subject to meeting additional technical standards and requirements which may include immunizations, a criminal/sexual offender records information check (CORI/SORI), fingerprinting, and drug testing. Some of these may be completed at student's expense. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Career Options/Earning Potential
For career options, please click here. Also, please visit the Massachusetts Career Information System and the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information.
Law Enforcement Certificate (CJLC)
Developed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Law Enforcement Certificate program prepares students for a career in law enforcement. The certificate combines specialized criminal justice and general education coursework to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to compete for entry into the Massachusetts law enforcement field. All of the credits earned in the certificate program can be applied to an associate degree in criminal justice, which may result in increased compensation and may qualify the certificate holder for shortened municipal police training academy.
There are several good reasons to pursue or continue your education in criminal justice:
- It is one of the fastest growing job markets in the nation;
- As crime changes and criminals become more sophisticated, criminal justice professionals must increase their knowledge, skills, and sophistication in enforcing laws;
- The public continues to demand higher standards and effectiveness of law enforcement officials;
- Through various pay incentive programs, police may receive salary increases by pursuing higher education;
- And criminal justice is a good foundation for those pursuing a career in law.
MWCC’s outstanding criminal justice faculty includes working practitioners and instructors with expertise in law enforcement, prosecutorial systems, and corrections.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CJU 131 | Introduction To Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJU 133 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| SOC 103 | Introduction To Sociology | 3 |
| PSY 105 | Introduction To Psychology | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| CJU 134 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJU 232 | Introduction To Criminology | 3 |
| CJU 228 | Effective Written Communication for the CJ Practitioner | 3 |
| CJU 245 | American Policing (Formerly CJU140) | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 27 | |
See Criminal Justice program student learning outcomes and technical standards
Student Success Tips
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. Students who are pursuing a career in law enforcement or police services are encouraged to complete the Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. Technology is integrated into all aspects of attending college in the 21st century. Students are expected to have proficient computer skills and the ability to access the internet via desktop/laptop computers, smartphones or tablets. Internet access may be from home or through a public site such as a local public library, public college or at any Mount Wachusett Community College campus.
Special Requirements
Students enrolled in this certificate may be eligible for life experience, police academy, armed services, Tech Prep credits, CLEP, DANTES, and challenge exams. Only courses completed at institutions accredited by appropriate regional institutional accrediting agencies may be transferred into the program. Students seeking to participate in internships may be subject to meeting additional technical standards and requirements which may include immunizations, a criminal/sexual offender records information check (CORI/SORI), fingerprinting, and drug testing. Some of these may be completed at student's expense. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Transfer Options
This program is intended for immediate career entry. Courses completed as part of this certificate program can be applied to the Criminal Justice Degree.
Career Options/Earning Potential
For career options, please click here. Also, please visit the Massachusetts Career Information System and the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information.
Program Student Learning Outcomes for CJT, CJL and CJLC
Upon graduation from these programs, students shall have demonstrated the ability to:
-
Identify specific crime typologies and offender profiles
-
Explain the basic concepts, operations, and services of the primary agencies that make up the criminal justice system
-
Explain Constitutional processes, substantive law content, and application of appropriate techniques in the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, punishment, and rehabilitation of criminal offenders
- Analyze theoretical perspectives on criminality and social deviance
- Demonstrate essential skills including reading, writing, communicating, critical thinking, reasoning, and knowledge and use of terminology of a criminal justice professional
-
Complete various criminal justice system reports in a professional and competent manner with narratives that are complete, accurate, and sufficient for their stated purposes;
-
Apply skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level positions and/or continued study in criminal justice or related fields;
- Analyze current issues facing the criminal justice system and ethical choices confronting criminal justice practitioners and
- Analyze career opportunities and assess skills and abilities in relationship to specific positions.
Technical Standards1 for CJT, CJL, and CJLC
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For general information about technical standards and accommodation, see Technical Standards.
Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
- Communicate and assimilate information in either printed, signed, or computer voice format.
- Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
- Observe, investigate, make appropriate determinations at mock crime scenes, and problem solve.
- Function as a team leader, including giving directions and providing advocacy.
- Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
- Operate a computer or smart phone, with or without adaptation.
CJU 110. Introduction To Criminalistics (formerly CJU 234). 3 Credits.
This course is designed to introduce the concepts involved in the field of criminalistics. The students will be introduced to the concepts of criminalistics from the professional and scientific disciplines dedicated to the recognition, collection, identification, and individualization of physical evidence. The application of the natural sciences to matters of the law will be examined. Actual court cases will be used to illustrate facilitation of the identification process, and students will learn to prepare crime scene evidence reports. Practical application of selected laboratory procedures may be included. Prerequisites: ENG 098, RDG 098, (or placement).
CJU 120. Critical Incident Stress & Trauma Yoga. 4 Credits.
This course studies the most current interventions, research, and thinking on critical incident stress management for first responders in public safety. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of crisis intervention, peer support, psychological first aid, disaster mental health, and suicide prevention. Students actively participate by applying knowledge of crisis communication, peer intervention and yoga techniques presented in class.
CJU 131. Introduction To Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
Students survey the criminal justice system in the United States including its main components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Special emphasis is placed on the sequence of events and decision points within the system, as well as historical and societal influences, and student will utilize various assigned sources to prepare incident and police reports. The functions of federal, state, county, and local agencies are examined. A brief overview of the juvenile system is included. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement. This course should be taken during a student's first semester as a Criminal Justice major.
CJU 133. Criminal Law. 3 Credits.
This course studies the nature, aims, purposes, and principles of criminal law, including both the general and specific parts of the law of crimes. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of specific elements, rules, doctrines, and defenses. Students actively participate by applying knowledge of laws and doctrines to actual cases through written and oral exercises including multiple case briefs. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
CJU 134. Criminal Procedure. 3 Credits.
Emphasis is placed on the constitutional authority to apply the process of enforcement of the law. Attention is given to admissibility of evidence used to convict. Through case study, procedural matters affecting the criminal justice system such as arrest, search and seizure, warrants, admissions, stop and frisk, and identification, pretrial proceedings, conviction, and post-conviction processes are examined, and student will utilize contemporary sources to prepare memorandums and case briefs illuminating assigned coursework. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
CJU 228. Effective Written Communication for the CJ Practitioner. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to develop the technical writing skills of students intending to become criminal justice practitioners. Students will develop the written communications skills needed to write research papers, reports, affidavits, crash reports, and complaint applications; and to produce legal and investigative materials which are complete and accurate, as well as prepare other types of written communications commonly used by the major agencies within the criminal justice system. This is a hybrid course which will meet one hour each week, and internet access will be required. Prerequisite: ENG 101.
CJU 232. Introduction To Criminology. 3 Credits.
Students will explore patterns of adult criminal and juvenile delinquent behavior through the examination of theories from a biological, psychological, and sociological perspective. The concept of crime as a social problem and efforts to measure the nature and extent of crime will be examined. Typologies of crime are studied, and schools of thought and various approaches to crime causation will be considered, and students will utilize current news sources to prepare memorandums illuminating assigned coursework. This course should be taken during a student's second semester as a Criminal Justice major. Prerequisite: SOC 103.
CJU 233. Criminal Investigation. 3 Credits.
This course examines the science and art of criminal investigation. Crime science and its specialized procedures and techniques related to physical evidence, interviews, rules of evidence, the investigator as a witness, and the investigative process to include follow-up investigations will be examined. Cases may be included to illustrate the investigative process. Practical application of selected laboratory procedures may be included. Student will apply what they have learned via written research projects examining important contemporary criminal trends and/or events. Prerequisite: CJU 134 or permission of the division dean. Fall.
CJU 245. American Policing (Formerly CJU140). 3 Credits.
This course provides the criminal justice student with an in-depth understanding of the history, development and philosophy of American policing. Students survey the roles, operation, procedures and organizational structure used in modern law enforcement. Attention is given to ethical practices, police interaction with diverse cultures, and the importance of communication. The course emphasizes patrol and community as the mainstay of policing. Current problems, recent innovations and law enforcement as a lifelong career are included topics. Students will write about the impact of contemporary policing initiatives on criminal behavior. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement. Spring.
CJU 247. Psychology in the Criminal Justice System. 3 Credits.
This course seeks to start a dialogue about the affect Psychology has on the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Psychology influences every task in our day to day lives, why wouldn’t it affect the CJS? This course will span a wide range of notable topics such as implicit biases, juries, insanity defenses, false confessions and much more. However, it is impossible to discuss every aspect of Psychology in the CJS in one semester. Consequently, this course aims to help students think critically about our CJS. A goal of this course is to create a safe space for an open dialogue about the CJS that will include discussions of student’s criticism, inquiries and suggestions for the system. Students should walk away from this course with an understanding about factors that impact our CJS that they may not have been aware of before taking this course. Additionally, students should walk away with the ability to search for, understand and critique scholarly articles. Prerequisites: ENG 101, ENG 102, CJU 131.
CJU 250. Introduction To Corrections. 3 Credits.
This course surveys the historical, political, legal, and sociological aspects of the United States correctional system. Students examine differing philosophies and purposes of punishment, particularly as they impact correctional policy and practice. Emphasis is on studying various types of offenders within the system and understanding major issues regarding contemporary methods of handling criminal offenders. Students will write on a topic within the field of corrections (e.g., a specific gang, rival gangs, prison systems from different countries, various types of prison construction, the death penalty, etc.), answering questions including history, purpose, and evolution. Prerequisite: CJU 131.
CJU 252. Internship In Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
This field experience involves extensive observation of and interaction in selected agencies. Placements include police departments, courts, probation, juvenile services, parole, correctional facilities, training academies, and related areas such as residential treatment programs. Students obtain a basic knowledge and understanding of the practical aspects of criminal justice through observation and selected participation. One seminar hour and eight hours of field experience per week are required. A consideration for placement will be the student's appropriate qualifications in relation to a specific agency. Students will maintain a weekly journal highlighting their on site learning. Prerequisites: completion of at least two criminal justice courses, sophomore status, and permission of division dean.
CJU 255. Seminar In Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
In this capstone course, students analyze and articulate contemporary themes in order to demonstrate their mastery of the content of completed required courses within the degree. Students are required to read selected materials and analyze key topics in a seminar format. Students develop and prepare a major analytical research paper and conduct a seminar for fellow students. This course should be taken in the semester immediately preceding graduation. Prerequisites: ENG 102; completion of all required criminal justice courses (CJU 131, CJU 133, CJU 134, CJU 228, CJU 232, CJU 250), and at least one restrictive elective, or permission of division dean.