Examine our social and legal responses to crime and disorder, especially for those who live and work in underserved communities.

In the Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) program, you will examine the causes of crime and societal and legal responses to law breaking, while critically evaluating the functioning of the U.S. criminal justice system. In line with Emmanuel College's social justice mission, your studies will highlight the influence of social factors such as race, ethnicity, and gender on experiences involving the criminal justice system. You will also learn about the effects of these dynamics on all parties involved in the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, defendants, victims, and communities.

Your studies will extend to assessing current policies and proposed reform efforts within the current criminal justice landscape, with a particular focus on their impact on underserved communities and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the practical and ethical considerations in criminology and criminal justice. Our aim is to equip you with critical thinking skills necessary for the dynamic and continually evolving careers in this growing field.

Best-in-Class Experience

Get to know the people and programs that will define your academic journey.

Crime in a "Nutshell"

Students in the CCJ program dive deeper into how detectives and forensic analysts solve crimes with the creation of miniature crime scenes, which are then solved by the Emmanuel community.

Meet the Faculty

Our distinguished faculty publish, exhibit and research. Present, compose and chair. Inspire and collaborate.

The Curriculum

View the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a B.A. in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Required Courses:

  • SOC1101 Introduction to Sociology (SA) (SS)
  • CCJ1203 Crime and Justice (SS)
  • CCJ2100 Law and Criminal Procedure
  • CCJ2101 Criminology (SS)
  • CCJ2303 Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • CCJ2310 Professional Ethics in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • CCJ4394 Internship in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • CCJ4997 Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Two Courses From:

  • CHEM1117 Forensic Chemistry (SI) (NSL)
  • SOC2105 Race, Ethnicity and Group Relations (SA) (SS) (DM) OR SOC2127 Social Class and Inequality (SA) (SS)
  • SOC2200 Drugs and Society
  • SOC2207 Deviant Behavior and Social Controls

Two Courses From:

  • CCJ3207 Juvenile Justice and the Legal Rights of Children
  • CCJ3212 Criminal Justice Reform: A Critical Inquiry
  • SOC3205 Crimes Against Humanity
  • SOC3210 Family Violence

View the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a minor in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Required Courses:

  • CCJ1203    Crime and Justice (SS)
  • CCJ2100    Law and Criminal Procedure
  • CCJ2101    Criminology (SS)
  • CCJ2310    Professional Ethics in Criminology & Criminal Justice

One Course From:

  • CCJ2302       Methods for Criminology & Criminal Justice 
  • CHEM1117    Forensic Chemistry (SI-L) (NSL)
  • SOC2105      Race, Ethnicity and Group Relations (SA) (SS) (DM)
  • SOC2127      Social Class and Inequality (SA) (SS)
  • SOC2200      Drugs and Society
  • SOC2207      Deviant Behavior and Social Controls

One Course From:

  • CCJ3207        Juvenile Justice and the Legal Rights of Children
  • CCJ3212        Criminal Justice Reform: A Critical Inquiry
  • SOC 3205      Crimes Against Humanity
  • SOC 3210      Family Violence

Students who complete the Criminology & Criminal Justice major will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a keen understanding of criminology, crime, justice, violence, victimization, and the criminal justice system.
  2. Acquire deep knowledge of criminological theories, concepts, and research methods.
  3. Apply sociological and criminological paradigms to complex issues as they relate to the criminal justice system and social inequality, race, class, gender, and prejudice and discrimination.
  4. Understand and analyze social, political, and legal responses to crime, violence, and injustice in society.
  5. Engage in moral reasoning and critical thinking to address social issues and current events related to criminology and criminal justice.
Where Essential Values and Skills Meet the Real World

Where Essential Values and Skills Meet the Real World

Along with areas of knowledge and major requirements, you will cultivate essential values in the classroom and complete two courses in each area:

  • Social Justice (SJ): Develop knowledge, skills, values and motivation to participate beneficially in activities of personal and public concern.
  • Diversity & Multiculturalism (DM): Understand the complexity of identity the historical truths of different cultural perspectives to address bias and examine contemporary social issues. 

One hundred percent of Emmanuel students complete an internship as part of the core curriculum. In a city as dynamic as Boston, your options are bound only by the limits of your curiosity.

Boston is home to many organizations that deal with housing and food insecurity, health and social services, poverty alleviation, government and policy, legal assistance and more. Emmanuel's Sociology and CCJ majors can be found at internships throughout the city making an impact on the wider Boston community.

In all majors, the Capstone Experience involves completing a significant piece of work that requires the integration and application of learning from multiple courses.

In the sociology department, you have two options for capstone experiences. Through SOC4998 Community Action Research, you will apply your accumulated sociological knowledge to work with a local community group or organization within the city of Boston to tackle a real-world problem. Or, through SOC4999 Seminar in Sociology, you can explore a sociological topic of your choice, complete either an empirical study or an in-depth literature review of the topic, and write a paper tying the topic to issues of inequality, diversity or globalization.