Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice program prepares you for a successful career in law enforcement, counseling or probation. Whether you're looking to enter the field or advance your skills, our faculty, who are actively employed in the field, will help you reach your goals.
Format
Schedule
Classes start: January 24
and March 22
Credits Required
60 credits
Cost
In-person 3-credit class: $1,059
Online and Hybrid 3-credit class: $1,299
Fees
Tuition and Textbooks, No Additional Fees
Ways to Save
Are you:
A resident of Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Foster, Glocester or Pawtucket?
A veteran or active duty military?
Eligible for Prior Learning Assessment?
A member of a partnership with RWU?
Ask UC about Ways to Save.
Apply By
Cost
In-person 3-credit class: $1,059
Online or Hybrid 3-credit class: $1,299
Ways to Save
Are you:
A resident of Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Foster, Glocester or Pawtucket?
A veteran or active duty military?
Eligible for Prior Learning Assessment?
A member of a partnership with RWU?
Ask UC about Ways to Save.
Apply By
At UC, You Can
RWU is home to the premier Criminal Justice program in Rhode Island with many of the state’s Public Safety leaders among our graduates. Our program combines courses in policing, corrections and procedure with studies in the social sciences to introduce you to the theory and practice of criminal law and the moral complexity of the criminal justice system. Many of our graduates advance into graduate study or law school.
Faculty Who Work in their Fields
You need to be prepared for all the moral dilemmas and complexities the legal system brings. It's why we employ people who are actively working in the field to develop the curriculum and guide lessons.
An Expert Advisor
All matriculating students are assigned a on-on-one advisor, who is both an adjunct professor and an expert in their field.
"Working in the police and legal world, I have a pretty good feel for where students are coming from and in what direction they want to go."
Sean Parker, Captain, Cranston Police Department, Cranston, RI
His Advice: Get some training and specialized skills under your belt while going through the process of getting your degree by taking advantage of the professional certificate programs.
More: Sean Parker, Police Captain, UC Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice Advisor
How You'll Get There
At UC, we support you on your individual path. Whether you are just starting out or picking up where you left off, we work with you to accomplish your goals. As you work with our faculty, you'll build lasting connections that open doors to your success. You'll receive one-on-one guidance from your advisor each step of the way.
UC offers students flexibility to bring in a wide range of previous credit. You may take advantage of our Prior Learning Assessment, applying transfer credit, trainings and assessments, military experience, work experience, and self-taught skills toward your degree. UC provides standardized credit documentation for a wide range of trainings for public safety officials. For example, officers who have completed the R.I. Municipal Police Academy can receive up to 26.5 credits towards this degree.
You Need
- A passion for justice
- Official transcripts from high school, college
You Don't Need
- entrance exams
- SAT/ACT scores
- pre-requisites
- admissions essay
- application fee
- GPA requirements
Sample Courses
Policing in America
Constitutional Law
Juvenile Justice
Bachelor & Associate Degree Options
The Criminal Justice program will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to advance in your current career, seek a new career path or pursue a particular interest in areas such as law enforcement, criminal rehabilitation and community policing.
The program introduces you to the theory and practice of the United States criminal justice system. Course emphasis includes: adult and juvenile crime; causation theory; criminal and civil procedure; the police; the courts; and institutional and community-based corrections.
11 required criminal justice courses
3 criminal justice electives
7 required courses in other departments
10 core courses
+ 9 electives
--------------------------------------
40 courses (120 credits)
The program will introduce you to the theory and practice of the United States criminal justice system. Course emphasis includes: adult and juvenile crime; causation theory; criminal and civil procedure; the police; the courts; and institutional and community-based corrections. You may earn an Associates of Science by selecting your courses from the Criminal Justice Bachelor's requirements, fulfilling the requirements below.
7 required criminal justice courses
1 criminal justice elective
7 core courses
+ 5 electives
--------------------------------------
20 courses (60 credits)
Common Add-On Certificates
You can easily add one of the following professional certificates to this degree without taking any additional classes. They allow you to earn your degree one step at a time, adding credentials to your resume along the way. Choose a professional certificate in your area of interest to specialize your degree.
This professional certificate program allows you to be the best asset to your community you can be. With courses in public speaking, ethics, and cultural awareness, the Certificate in Community Policing prepares students to be effective police officers in a changing society.
Six required courses = 18 credits
This professional certificate program combines public administration skills with the unique concerns of the corrections field to give you a well-rounded foundation for a career in corrections agency administration.
Six required courses = 18 credits
In this professional certificate program, you will learn the specific skillsets needed to be an effective defender of homeland security. Learn strategies and theories of disaster management, counter-terrorism methods, crime prevention, and more.
Six required courses = 18 credits
The certificate in Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems is designed to provide students foundational knowledge on the justice system in the United States.
Five required courses = 15 credits
This professional certificate program gives you public administration skills specifically suited to Police Agency Administration. Taught by experts in the field, these classes will give you what you need to advance in your career.
Six required courses = 18 credits
In this professional certificate program, you will learn about contemporary issues in public safety and the ways organizations respond to the challenges. Courses cover public speaking skills and crime prevention along with specific public safety concerns such as drug use and youth gangs.
Six required courses = 18 credits
Your Career
Careers in this field are expected to grow 5% in the next ten years, a reflection of the continued need for public safety. The Criminal Justice program gives you the tools you need to enter the field, quality for a promotion, apply your military skills to the civilian world, and more.
While career outlooks depend on candidate experience and specific employer requirements, the table below reflects median salaries in the following potential positions*
| Job | What You Do | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisor of Federal Law Enforcement Workers | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of federal law enforcement workers. | $123,640 |
| Detective | Gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. | $85,020 |
| Correctional Administrator | Provide supervision and leadership in prisons and jails | $68,350 |
| Police Officer | Protect people and property. Patrol assigned areas, respond to calls, enforce laws, make arrests, issue citations | $64,400 |
| Probation Officer | Assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. | $58,790 |
| Correctional Officer | Oversee those who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. | $49,300 |
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job outlook: 2018-2028. Median salary: 2018
Individualized Support, More Affordable
At University College, you get the individualized attention of a private university at a more affordable cost. There are multiple options for financial aid, scholarships, and accelerated paths to get you to the degree you need. Some programs run by Roger Williams are awarded by simply applying for admission, while others are awarded to students through a more formal aid application process.
To ensure full consideration for all aid programs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Learn More About Tuition at UC
Questions? Reach out!
Everyone has questions.
Our Pathway Specialists have answers. Contact UC Admissions at ucadmissions@rwu.edu.