About the program

All courses focus on the study of crime from a variety of perspectives: cause of crime, societal reaction, judicial processing and treatment of offenders, as well as the philosophy and practice of social control and administration of criminal behavior. Emphasis is also placed on critical thinking and problem solving.

The curriculum of the Criminal Justice program from Marist College culminates with two senior seminar courses, which bring together all facets of the Marist undergraduate experience, and the lessons learned in the major. A mandatory six-credit internship enables the Criminal Justice major to gain practical experience from a variety of criminal justice and allied agencies. Internship placements include the range of federal, state, and local agencies.

While being exposed to experiences in both the classroom and the real world, students are also assisted in making informed career choices. Major curriculum completion, coupled with all Core/Liberal Arts requirements, leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. A minor in Criminal Justice is also available.

Criminal Justice majors may also choose to begin a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice as an undergraduate and complete graduate studies within one year after completing their undergraduate degree.

Philosophy

The Criminal Justice major engages the student in rigorous examination surrounding the causes and reactions to criminal behavior. Courses reflect a broad-based theoretical and experimental approach to students of why crime is committed and what society does in response to criminal commission. The completion of Marist Core and major-required curriculum culminates in students earning a Bachelor of Science degree.

We start with the agreement that justice is society’s goal. We explore plausible solutions to the problem of crime, and we believe knowledge comes from objective inquiry into all facets related to crime. In a changing world, nothing changes faster than crime and society’s sensitivity to it. We believe that nothing is more important than engaging our students in an informed dialogue about all aspects of the phenomenon of crime.

Careers

The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and decision-making, which all allows students to pursue a range of vocations that call for these abilities. Graduates have found employment with the gamut of federal, state, and local governments, as well as in private industry. A sample of these are:

• United States Secret Service
• United States Marshals Service
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• New York State Police
• New York Department of Correctional Services
• New York City Police Department
• New York Department of Human Services
• Los Angeles Police Department
• Hartford (CT) Police Department
• Myrtle Beach (SC) Police Department
• Metro-Dade (FL) Police Department
• Town and City of Poughkeepsie Police Departments
• Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
• Dutchess County Probation Department
• Morgan-Stanley Bank
• A number of law firms

Courses Included

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Policing in America
• Corrections and Penology
• Criminal Courts
• Criminal Law and Procedure