Success After Graduation
In the School of Justice Studies (SJS), you develop close relationships with our faculty experts and put your learning into practice. Networking opportunities and hands-on internships get you out in the field, preparing you to be hired in private industries or public service careers.
RWU Equips You for a Great Career
Real-World Experience
SJS students have guaranteed opportunities for internships or co-op experiences at various agencies throughout the criminal justice field.
Job Placement
All Cybersecurity & Networking and Forensic Science 2019 graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Network with Industry Leaders
RWU is home to the Justice System Training & Research Institute (JSTRI), which provides students with the ability to connect with practitioners from across the country.
Alumni Stories of Success
Across all our programs, alumni find success in graduate programs and their fields.
“I learned how interesting it can be not to just look at the law and how people break it, but to understand why. I had a great four years. It was really motivating, and I love my job now.”
KRISTINA RAUCCIO '17, Anti-Money Laundering Investigator at Santander Bank, South Boston, MA
Majors: Criminal Justice & Psychology
More: Fighting Crime from Behind the Scenes at Santander Bank
Real-World Experience Sets Up Success
“I started as an intern at HubSpot when I was finishing my last semester. I was able to apply my studying to my internship, then I parlayed that into a full-time position. I’ve had two promotions after that.”
ANTHONY MOSESSO '18, Security Operations Analyst at Hubspot, Cambridge, MA
Major: Cybersecurity & Networking
Minor: Political Science
More: First Responder to Cyber Attacks
“There’s no better people to learn from than people that are out in the field doing exactly what you want to do. [RWU’s] program has pulled in some really great people to help get our foot in the door and get more students internships and experiences like I’ve had.”
REBECCA MILLARD '18 , Graduate Student of Biomedical Forensic Science at Boston University's School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Major: Forensic Science
More: Getting a Foot in the Door of Forensic Science
Alumni: RWU Key to My Success
“The Criminal Justice Department itself is so accepting and just really want their students to succeed and that’s definitely one of the reasons I stuck around. It helped me realize the population I like to specialize in is victims, which I think is a field you don’t typically get to study in criminal justice programs.”
KELSEY HARRINGTON '16, '18M, Victim Compensation Manager at Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Boston, MA
Majors: Criminal Jusice & Psychology
M.S. in Criminal Justice
More: Supportive Faculty in Criminal Justice Program
“Knowing that the university was able to accommodate a flexible path beyond the typical four years was very helpful for me and my lifestyle. It helped me tremendously in achieving what I knew I wanted: a degree. I was the first in my family to receive a college degree, so it meant a lot to my parents and family."
TONYA HARRIS ’02, Executive Director, Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Providence RI
Major: Criminal Justice
More: Trailblazing a Path from Police Officer to Executive Director
Beyond the Classroom
"I developed good relationships with faculty that took it beyond the classroom. It wasn't just a lecture every day. I had the opportunity to work with professors on different projects and focus on other areas that I was interested in."
JOSEPH McKENNA '11, Director of Safety & Security at Comal Independent School District, New Braunfels, Texas
Major: Criminal Justice
More: Criminal Justice Lays the Foundation for Post-Graduation Success
“The program was really designed well to set you up with the foundations you need. It was really focused on practical skills and Doug [White] does a really good job keeping up with the industry and the skills that employers want to see.”
DAN GORTZE '10, Executive Director of IT Security and Infrastructure at Cumberland Farms, Westborough, MA
Major: Cybersecurity & Networking
More: Learning the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
“I really enjoyed meeting people. The professors were all very nice, accommodating, and friendly.”
BRIANNA SMITH ’18, Data Analyst at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Troy, NY
Major: Forensic Science
Minor: Criminal Justice
“I ended up loving the location of Roger Williams and the program they offered. There is just so much you can do within the field.”
BRITTANY FOSTER '12 '19M, Patrol Officer at Newport Police Department, Newport RI
Majors: Criminal Jusice
M.S. in Leaderhsip
More: From RWU to the Newport Police Department
Accelerated Programs
As a student in the School of Justice Studies, you don’t have to stop your education at a Bachelor’s Degree. We offer a 3+3 program for the most passionate students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and Juris Doctor from RWU Law in six years, and a 4+1 program leading to a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice.
“I was able to find something that combined my appreciation for history and my career goals. It’s a very lawyerly way of thinking because it forces you to ask why. You have to get to the underlying interest behind people’s positions.”
HARRY HALL '17, JD '19, Corporate Counsel at Sensata Technologies, Attleboro, MA
Majors: Legal Studies and Law (3+3) & American Studies Doctor of Law - JD
More: Interdisciplinary Nature of Legal Studies
Experiential Learning: Turning Passion into Careers
Our students learn what life is like as a professional in their fields. Whether it’s through an internship, project-based learning with a national nonprofit organization or using the newest state-of-the-art technology, you’ll graduate knowing what to expect.
Check out exciting experiential projects:
- Hands-on internships like Daryn Javer's '18 at the R.I. State Crime Lab allowed her to work alongside expert forensic scientists examining real evidence.
- Through a project-based course, Ashley Barton '15 partnered with Scholars at Risk, a nonprofit organization that promotes academic freedom for intellectuals around the world who have been jailed for expressing their beliefs.
- Piloting a new program, a group of students used RWU's new virtual reality technology from Google and Labster to complete virtual-reality simulated science labs.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Resources
Students in the School of Justice Studies have the opportunity to work with justice system experts, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
- Learn alongside the experts. Based in the School of Justice Studies, the Justice System Training & Research Institute (JSTRI) provides seminars and professional development training to justice system personnel.
- Work with cutting edge technology in the Forensics and Networking Security (FANS) Center.
- The School of Justice Studies works with the RI Attorney General's Office, Department of Corrections, Police Departments, the State Crime Lab, and more to guarantee internships or co-op experiences for every student.
Become a RISE Scholar
RWU offers a renewable $10,000 scholarship for talented scholars entering STEM fields. RISE Scholars receive mentoring and support in preparation for successful careers.