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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Undergraduate students being inducted into AIC's Criminal Justice Honors Society.
Former law enforcement officials speak to a Criminal Justice class at American International College

Program Overview

Investigate the systems that shape society as you learn to propel real, lasting change as a future law enforcement, corrections, human services, or legal professional.

Program Format

On Campus

Degree Options

  • Four-Year BS Program
  • Online Degree Completion Program

Time to Complete

  • Full Time: 4 Years
  • Transfer Pathways: 2 Years

Why Major in Criminal Justice at AIC?

Criminal Justice majors at American International College explore the structure and role of law enforcement, the court system, corrections, and related agencies, not only to understand their influence on communities but also to reform them from within.

All around us, the American justice system is undergoing a rapid, significant transformation. Our social sciences-based curriculum equips AIC students to lead its direction, producing critical problem-solvers, ethical decision-makers, and expert communicators who possess practical knowledge of criminal behavior patterns, case law, and legal procedures.

Our local law enforcement connections and research emphasis take crime reduction and recidivism beyond theory. With this real-world perspective, Yellow Jackets begin to recognize their role in strengthening communities and serving everyone equitably.

What to Expect

  • Internships: Observe how police officers, caseworkers, policymakers, and legal professionals uphold justice each day. You’ll then discuss your experience at the College of Business, Arts, and Sciences’ Internship Symposium, held every semester.
  • Research: Conduct interviews, examine data, and connect ideas to evaluate policy or a longstanding justice issue. Each year, our students present their results at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • Teaching assistant opportunities: Guide the learning process as a junior or senior, engaging new students in psychology topics.
  • Scientifically based: The liberal arts foundation of an AIC education enriches the procedural side of criminal justice with the analytical depth of the social sciences. Our students contemplate why people commit crimes through a lens of intersectionality and behavior theory.
  • Customize your education: Overlay your studies with a second major in Sociology, Human Services, Management, or Pre-Law to strengthen your background for specific career paths. Or pursue the Fraud and Financial Crimes Minor to qualify for an Association of Certified Fraud Examiners certificate.
  • Complete a Certificate in Addiction Counseling: Learn to assess and treat individuals with substance use disorders, qualifying to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in Massachusetts. Review program requirements.
  • Jump-start your graduate education: Eligible seniors can take one to two graduate-level courses at the undergraduate rate. As you begin a master’s degree at AIC, your motivation will pay off in terms of time and cost savings.
  • Community connections: Our students learn to respond and react in the field through our relationships with local police departments. For internships, we have placed students with the AIC Campus Police, Springfield Juvenile Court, Springfield District Court, and other agencies that serve Western Massachusetts.
AIC BS in Criminal Justice Alum Julia Krijgsman ‘25
AIC BS in Criminal Justice Alum Guershon Cherilien ’01, MS ’03

The Criminal Justice program at AIC has expanded my knowledge and perspective of the field in so many ways. The professors are not only highly knowledgeable but also supportive and dedicated to helping every student succeed.”

Julia Krijgsman ‘25

I enjoyed playing football at AIC and being a resident assistant, and later assistant resident director at then-Street Hall. I also appreciated the small classes where professors actually knew my name. That would not have been the case at a larger university.”

Guershon Cherilien ’01, MS ’03

Read His Story

Program Details

AIC’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program positions you to build better, more empowering community relationships. Here’s how you’ll start your studies and grow as both a leader and advocate on our connected campus.

  • To understand the responsibilities of the major components of the system in order to appreciate the role of criminal justice in our democratic society.
  • To understand the basic ingredients associated with the studies of crime and its control.
  • To understand the limits our constitutional democracy places on practitioners through the study of professional, ethical, and legal issues in the system.
  • To display the ability to communicate effectively in written form.
  • To display the ability to communicate effectively in oral form.
  • To develop information and digital literacy.
  • To think critically by researching, analyzing, and interpreting studies, case law, statutes, and constitutional provisions that protect the rights of citizens.

Major Courses: In addition to AIC Plan for Excellence (APEX) requirements, students must complete all courses listed here to receive a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice:

  • CRJ1400: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • COM2200: Information and Technology
  • CRJ2224: Corrections
  • CRJ2302: Statistics
  • CRJ2342: Law Enforcement
  • CRJ2350*: Criminal Justice Research
  • CRJ2426: Probation and Parole
  • CJR2451: Legal Aspects of the Criminal Justice System
  • CRJ3240: Criminal Procedures
  • CRJ3441: Criminal Law
  • CRJ3636: Community Relations and the Criminal Justice System
  • CRJ3641: Comparative Criminal Justice System
  • CRJ3842: Criminology
  • CRJ3844: Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • CRJ4880: Senior Seminar
  • CRJ4979**: Criminal Justice Practicum

Plus one of these courses:

  • CRJ2000: Communications in Criminal Justice
  • ENG2280: Professional and Technical Writing

*May substitute PSY3615 Experimental Psychology or SOC 2631 Sociological Research Methods.

**May substitute SOC2400 Crime and Delinquency or SOC2410 Deviance and Social Control.

**Students must enroll for a minimum of three credits. This course may be taken over more than one semester to earn additional credit, up to a total of nine credits.

Please reference the current catalog for all course descriptions.

Minor Courses: Students must complete all courses listed here to earn a Minor in Criminal Justice:

  • CRJ1400: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • CRJ2224: Corrections
  • CRJ2342: Law Enforcement
  • CRJ3842: Criminology

Choose one from these courses:

  • CRJ2426: Probation and Parole
  • CRJ2451: Legal Aspects of the Criminal Justice System
  • CRJ elective: Choose a CRJ elective selected with the advisor

Please reference the current catalog for all course descriptions.

Individuals interested in studying criminal justice at AIC—or exploring related studies in The Community and Human Services Hive—will apply for admission as a first-year, transfer, or international student.

Review tuition rates and fees for the upcoming academic year.

Undergraduate Tuition and Costs All Undergraduate Scholarships

AIC’s transfer partnerships with Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) provide an uninterrupted path from community college to our bachelor’s in Criminal Justice program, as well as a $4,000 per year joint admissions scholarship.

If you have questions on transferring from one of our partner schools, please contact the admissions office at 413.205.3201.

Looking for a flexible route to a bachelor’s? Transfer a minimum of 39 college-level credits or an associate degree to our Criminal Justice Degree Completion Program, where fully online, accelerated courses let you learn around your schedule.

In several student clubs and organizations, Criminal Justice majors learn how leaders lift others up:

  • Alpha Delta: AIC’s chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma honor society brings together driven students, scholarly faculty, and experienced professionals to contemplate the future of the criminal justice system.
  • Criminal Justice Club: Let the discussions flow as you and your fellow classmates promote justice and advocacy on campus. Participants have previously organized self-defense seminars and toured landmarks like the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, CT.
  • Industry involvement: Criminal Justice majors hone their communication skills as they engage with local leaders—including at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, held annually in Boston.
  • Leadership roles: From our Student Government Association to sports and special interest clubs, student leaders practice elevating concerns as they shape organizational policy, plan events, and engage the campus community. Browse all student organizations.
  • Identity groups: In groups like P.R.I.D.E., LASO, and PLUS, students examine the justice system’s impact on their own lives and communities while exploring collective ways to foster change.

Have a Question?

At AIC, criminal justice is taught from a place of field-informed scholarship. Ask our faculty directly about studying here, transferring your credits, and the careers our graduates have pursued.

Jennifer Feitel, EdD
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Phone: 413.205.3323
Email: jennifer.feitel@aic.edu
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

AIC Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Jennifer Feitel, EdD

Academic and Career Support

AIC gives you the space to explore your interest while preparing you for life after college. Throughout, you’ll work with advisors and mentors to define your academic and professional goals and the ways to achieve them.

An AIC student talks course selection for the Psychology major with their academic advisor.

Student Success Advising

Saremi Center for Career Development

Accessibility Services and Academic Accommodations (CASAA)

What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?

Job Titles

AIC Criminal Justice majors begin careers as:

  • Correctional officers
  • Court clerks
  • Federal agents
  • Fraud analysts
  • Juvenile justice counselors
  • Paralegals
  • Police officers
  • Probation officers
  • Security professionals
  • Victim advocates

Salary Expectations

Each year through 2034, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 423,000 openings in the protective services field, including for:

Where Our Graduates Work

With a bachelor’s or advanced degree, criminal justice students make a difference in law enforcement, the legal system, corrections, probation, government, private security, human service agencies, and non-profit organizations. AIC students have found positions with:

  • Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies
  • Recovery Centers of America
  • City of Chicopee
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Town of Milford

Toward these paths, many students return to AIC to pursue an MS in Criminal Justice, MBA, MS in Forensic Psychology, or MA in General Psychology.

Related Programs

Harness the science of human behavior to enrich others’ lives in any of these other programs offered at AIC:

Social science majors connecting with prospective employers at job fair held on AIC's campus

Human Services, BS

AIC Psychology majors present research to students and faculty.

Psychology, BS

A Sociology major at AIC has a conversation with a faculty member

Sociology, BA

Ready to Take the Next Step?

At AIC, you’ll discover a better, research-supported way to protect and serve.

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