Criminal Justice

A criminal justice degree lays the foundation for a wide range of career options, including law enforcement, forensics, corrections, and social work.

mission

The mission of HCC's criminal justice program is to foster a challenging environment that provides a solid knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as a broad background in the liberal arts through high-quality instruction.

The department will prepare students to undertake further studies at four-year institutions, and will promote the development of professionals who possess a commitment to public service, ethical consciousness, and leadership abilities.

student learning outcomes

Graduates of this program will:

Demonstrate an understanding of the American criminal justice system and relevant legal, theoretical, and public policy issues.
Develop effective and professional communication skills, both orally and in writing.
Articulate an awareness of issues of diversity, including but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, social class, disability, and religious belief.
Demonstrate an understanding of the primary data sources and methods used to measure practices in the criminal justice field and criminal behavior.
Identify, locate, evaluate, and responsibly use appropriate legal, sociological, and other sources in papers and assignments.
Recognize the importance of ethics and ethical behavior in the achievement of justice.

classes

Explore criminal justice classes in the HCC online catalog.

criminal justice degree

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	Lou Barry A.S., Holyoke Community College; B.S., Castleton State; M.A., Anna Maria College Lou started his 35-year law enforcement career with the Orleans Police Department where he served as patrol officer, detective, and sergeant. He then accepted the position of chief of police with the Granby Police Department, where he served for the next 24 years. He has been a member of the adjunct faculty at HCC since 1990, and served as interim chief of the HCC Campus Police Department. He is also a licensed private investigator and trains extensively at several police academies. Barry teaches CRJ: Introduction to Criminal Justice and CRJ 112: Law & Procedure.
	Adina Eliana Giannelli B.A., University of Massachusetts; JD, Western New England University School of Law Adina Giannelli joined HCC's Department of Criminal Justice in 2019. Before joining the department, she worked in the Department of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies at the University of Massachusetts, where she taught courses on gender, justice, incarceration, and the law. Giannelli previously served as a law clerk for the Texas Civil Rights Project, where she worked on cases involving criminal justice system. Her research interests include the relationship between gender, race, and the criminalization of youth; prison studies; criminal justice writing; and transformative pedagogy. Outside of the classroom, Giannelli volunteers with Books Through Bars and serves on the board of directors of Voices From Inside. She teaches CRJ 100: Intro to Criminal Justice.
	Nicole Jamila Hendricks B.A., Wesleyan University; M.P.A., New York University Nicole J. Hendricks (née Henderson) joined the criminal justice department in 2006. During her tenure she has served as coordinator of the gender and women's studies program, and chair of the criminal justice program. Before joining the faculty, she was a research associate at the Vera Institute of Justice, where she conducted both federally and privately funded research on a range of issues. She is the author of "Law Enforcement and Arab American Community Relations After September 11, 2001: Engagement in a Time of Uncertainty" (2006, Vera Institute of Justice). Her research and teaching interests include the intersection of race, crime and justice, police-community relations, and discretion and decision-making in the criminal justice system. Nicole Hendricks teaches CRJ 117: Criminology, CRJ 210: Human Relations, CRJ 208: Juvenile Justice, CRJ 217: Women, Crime & Justice, and CRJ 230: Capstone in Criminal Justice.
	Chris Pronovost A.A., Holyoke Community College; B.S., M.S., Western New England College Chris Pronovost teaches CRJ 112: Law & Procedure.
	Alejandro "Alex" Sanchez, Jr. A.S., Holyoke Community College; B.S., Westfield State College; M.A., Anna Maria College Alejandro "Alex" Sanchez, Jr. joined the criminal justice department in 2006. While at HCC, he has served as program coordinator and chair of the criminal justice department. He has also been the advisor to the Criminal Justice Association for 11 years. In 2018, he was awarded the Elaine Marieb Award for Teaching Excellence. Sanchez teaches CRJ 103: Introduction to Corrections, CRJ 105: Introduction to Security, CRJ 209: Police & Society, and CRJ 210: Human Relations. He also coordinates internships for the department.
	Julio Toledo A.S., Holyoke Community College; B.S., Westfield State College; M.A., University of Massachusetts at Lowell

Your advisor will:

Provide you with accurate information about the program requirements, as well as college policies and procedures
Assist you in thinking about ways to develop strategies for academic success
Direct you to academic resources available at HCC
Monitor your progress toward graduation

You should:

Know what the criminal justice program expectations and requirements are
Meet with your advisor early and often
Be aware of your academic standing
Talk to your advisor about campus resources such as the Center for Academic Program Support
Explore transfer options and employment opportunities

Do you want to excel, but don't know how? Are you feeling lost or overwhelmed? Explore HCC's student resources.

Make an appointment with your advisor
Utilize the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS)
Get to know the library reference desk
Use the Writing Center
Veterans: Visit the Bunker
Access WellConnect or other on-campus wellness programs
Visit the Thrive Financial Success Center

HCC has articulation agreements (transfer partnerships) with the following schools:

Westfield State University
American International College
Western New England University
Bay Path University
Elms College

Contact our transfer office to learn more about transfer opportunities!

The Criminal Justice Association is a student club at HCC.

MISSION STATEMENt

The mission of the Criminal Justice Association is to create opportunities for students to learn and engage in activities related to the criminal justice system, its professions, and those it impacts.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to promote the criminal justice profession and to assist in providing information, collaborating with other campus clubs and programs, hosting activities, and sharing career opportunities. We work to foster an awareness of current issues in criminal justice.