Justice Studies
The Justice Studies department offers courses in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies and Political Science. There are majors in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, a minor in Political Science, two minors offered in conjunction with the Social Sciences department: Forensic Studies and Youth and Crime, and a minor in Law and Business offered in conjunction with the Business department. The department takes a liberal arts approach to each discipline, strongly incorporating the connected learning philosophy of the College. Each major culminates in the senior year with a capstone course. Students complete internships in courts, police agencies, corrections, law firms, governmental agencies, and youth service organizations to name a few. The program in each major prepares each student to succeed in a career in criminal justice or legal studies, or to go on to graduate or law school. The Department has established the Theta Ro Chapter of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Phi. The department also has a prelaw program to assist in advising students considering Law School. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Lasell College is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education under the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs. Graduates qualify for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Quinn Bill).

Criminal Justice. The field of Criminal Justice builds on criminology, which is a major area of study within the social sciences. Students explore why society considers some actions to be criminal and how those definitions are influenced by social, economic, political and psychological forces. The goals for the Lasell College Criminal Justice major are to learn principles of criminal justice, to acquire professional skills, to develop analytical thinking and to acquire valuable communication skills. The program prepares students to enter graduate programs in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Public Policy, or Law School. A Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice prepares students to apply their learning in such areas as law, law enforcement and public safety, crime prevention, domestic violence, gang interventions, adult and juvenile probation and corrections, parole, drug and alcohol abuse and prevention, and diversion programs for first-time offenders.

Legal Studies. The Legal Studies major provides an excellent background for students interested in pursuing professional careers within the legal system. The Legal Studies major is uniquely prepared to conduct legal research and other professional work in government, the courts, agencies and businesses. Legal Studies students participate in a series of on-campus "mock trials." The program also offers an introduction to the study of law for students interested in entering law school as many Legal Studies graduates pursue graduate or law school degrees.