B.S. in Criminal Justice

  • B.S.
  • Undergraduate
  • On Campus
  • History, Political Science & Criminal Justice

Your degree in Criminal Justice will open doors to an array of opportunities, from fieldwork, to lab work, to the courtroom, and beyond. You will be prepared for the impact of rapidly developing technology in the ever-changing world of law enforcement.

Why Study Criminal Justice at Rivier?

Whether you have an interest in working in law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, with at-risk youth or with victims of crime, Rivier’s B.S. in Criminal Justice program will make your plan a reality.

With classes in law, behavioral, natural, and social sciences, as well as the humanities, all supported by Rivier鈥檚 core curriculum, you鈥檒l develop the interpersonal skills, technology, and critical-thinking skills you鈥檒l need to thrive in the workplace.

In the B.S. in Criminal Justice program, you will:

  • Examine the criminal justice system and explore social welfare issues
  • Learn how to conduct criminal investigations
  • Use electronic databases to conduct research and analyze data

The department鈥檚 faculty bring both a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to our classrooms, combining expertise in a variety of disciplines including law, political science, sociology, and history. They will guide you as you develop a full understanding of procedures and techniques to prepare you for a successful career in the field of criminal justice.

Generous Aid

We award more than $14 million in need-based and merit-based institutional aid annually. Rivier awards 100% of our full-time undergraduate students some form of aid. Find out more from our Financial Aid Office.

Fall 2025 Grants 鈥� Incoming Criminal Justice majors are eligible for a Criminal Justice Innovators Grant. First-time, first-year students will be awarded a $3,000 grant each year, renewable for four years for a total of $12,000 in financial support, in addition to a competitive financial aid package. This grant award supports students pursuing degrees in criminal justice.

I came to Rivier undecided, but after taking a Criminal Justice class with a professor who worked in the field, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. Rivier's professors bring real-world experience into the classroom. It鈥檚 not just learning from a textbook 鈥� it鈥檚 seeing your future in action.

Experience the Field

Your classroom learning will be enhanced by hands-on experiences in the field. You will have the opportunity to go on police ride-alongs, tour prisons, visit courtrooms, and learn from faculty and guest lecturers currently practicing in the field.

You can participate in multiple internships after your first year. These experiences will challenge you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life situations.

A series of foundational courses conclude with a required internship/practicum in a legal setting such as a police department, prosecutor or public defender鈥檚 offices, probation/parole officers, victim assistance bureau, or a correctional facility. You鈥檒l leave your internship with an invaluable understanding of the pace and expectations of this unique and demanding calling.

Hailey McMahon '25 is a Dean鈥檚 List student, women鈥檚 soccer player, court officer, and Nashua Police Department intern. 鈥淢y [internship] time is divided between working with patrol or detectives; I alternate each week. On patrol, I鈥檓 given a bulletproof vest and ride in the front seat of a cruiser ... We patrol around and answer 911 calls. With the detectives, I鈥檓 at the station more. One week, I was shadowing the criminal analyst and worked in the Evidence Department. Another week, I was with the Problem-Oriented Policing Unit, which involves street crimes ... I鈥檝e been to a death scene; I鈥檝e been to the Missing Persons Unit. I鈥檝e been to a bomb threat at Holman Stadium, so I got to see the EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) canine work, which was awesome.鈥�

Read Hailey's story

Where Will Your Degree in Criminal Justice Take You?

You will be prepared for a variety of careers in the dynamic and evolving world of law enforcement.

Potential Job Roles

  • Police officers and detectives
  • FBI, CIA, and other federal agents
  • Intelligence analysts
  • Forensic analysts
  • Cybercrime investigators
  • Fire investigators
  • Court and corrections officers
  • Attorneys

Graduate Studies

In addition to launching careers in law enforcement, alumni of our criminal justice program frequently enter some of the top law schools and graduate programs in New England. We believe that much of this is due to the exposure, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities offered by our senior year internships and other community-based learning experiences.

Rivier students are compassionate and care deeply about the University, their community and the wider world. They understand that higher education is an opportunity that too many people in this world do not share, and, as a result, they do not take their education for granted.

Take the Next Steps

Degree Requirements

Our interdisciplinary courses will uniquely prepare you for a career in law enforcement and related fields.

Contact

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Join the workforce in the dynamic field of law enforcement with the B.S. in Criminal Justice.