Hailed as an "exciting development in criminal justice education," the Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies offers an exciting view into the inner workings of the U.S. legal system through undergraduate and graduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies.

The Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies offers classes in three separate, but interrelated programs, leading to a Bachelor of Science degrees. Students may choose a major in criminal justice in which they will receive a comprehensive overview of each aspect of the criminal justice system, including courts, policing, and corrections; they may choose to major in legal studies, a program incorporating an interdisciplinary approach to the study of law with greater emphasis upon the legal system; or they may join our evening program and work towards a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies.

Either approach will challenge the undergraduate student to closely examine the role of the legal system in our lives and prepare the student for a variety of careers in the criminal justice field, graduate study, or law school. For students interested in pursuing further study beyond the undergraduate degree, the School of Justice Studies also offers a graduate program culminating in the award of a Master's in Science degree.

Students are encouraged to supplement their education through the experience of an internship. Past students interested in law enforcement have been placed in agencies ranging from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal's offices, and local and state law enforcement agencies. Students with an interest in the practice of law or paralegal have been placed in the public defenders' offices, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, as well as private law firms. Students interested in corrections have been placed in internships in probation, as well as in adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

On campus opportunities for justice studies students include:

• Visits from well-known legal and criminal justice professionals at the Distinguished Speakers Series
• Practical learning exercises in criminal justice and legal studies classes such as Organized Crime, Criminal Investigation, and Law of Evidence, as well as fingerprint analysis in our Forensic course
• Research and educational opportunities with our Justice System Training and Research Institute
  

Students learn from experienced faculty members who are well versed in their respective fields. With their assistance, students are well prepared to meet the challenges of the justice profession.

If one has a passion for the law and the drive to make an impact on the legal system, the School of Justice Studies offers a wide range of opportunities that can serve as as a stepping stone to an exciting career in the field of Criminal Justice.