MassBay Legal Studies Academy offers degree programs in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, and Political Science
Courses within our Legal Studies Academy at MassBay are designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution in criminal justice or related field or for immediate careers in law enforcement or as a paralegal. Our graduates have become police officers in active duty with Boston Police Department or have earned bachelor's degrees in criminal justice from Suffolk University, Framingham State University, and other regional colleges, as well as pursued advanced degrees in law.
MassBay’s Criminal Justice Program Mission Statement
The mission of MassBay’s Criminal Justice Program is to provide an education that gives students a comprehensive academic background in the workings of the criminal justice system. The Program is dedicated to educating students committed to serving justice, improving American society, and also recognizing and eradicating the systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. Our learning community fosters the skills and ethics necessary for successful careers in policing, courtroom advocacy, corrections, probation, parole, criminology, investigations, and cybercrime. The Program prepares students for positions in those and other public and private sector criminal justice areas, and also for transfers to four-year institutions.
Read the Course Offerings for courses in LA-Law, CJ-Criminal Justice, PA-Paralegal or for the current semester.
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Learn more about our Legal Studies degree and certificate programs:
Associate in Arts Degree Program
Liberal Arts: Political Science
Liberal Arts: Political Science
This interdisciplinary program explores political issues and controversies along historical, cultural, and sociological dimensions. Students are challenged to examine the relationship between national and global structures from a variety of social and political frameworks.
This program is eligible for MassTransfer and prepares students to continue into bachelor’s degree programs in many disciplines including Political Science, Law and Legal Studies, History, Sociology, and Public Policy.
Associate in Science Degree Programs
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice
This program combines professional courses with a broad background in liberal arts. The curriculum is designed to prepare you for a career in various areas of the criminal justice system including law enforcement, corrections, private security. The liberal arts background is well suited to help you succeed at the baccalaureate level.
Paralegal Studies
Paralegal Studies
This program teaches students to prepare and draft legal documents, investigate and research legal issues, interview clients and witnesses, and render practical procedural assistance in law-related matters. This program combines a college curriculum of business, liberal arts, and legal courses, as well as hands-on experience in a law firm.
Certificate Programs
Paralegal Studies
Paralegal Studies
This program prepares students to work under the supervision of attorneys to prepare legal documents, investigate and research legal issues, interview clients and witnesses, and render practical procedural assistance in law related matters