In this interdisciplinary major, students take advantage of hands-on opportunities to enact positive change within their internal, local, national and global communities. Our innovative curriculum emphasizes experiential learning that helps to underscore courses centered on the nature, function and application of justice in historical and contemporary contexts.
Within the BA in Justice and Community Engagement, students will become active learners inside and outside of the classroom. Drawing from fields such as law, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, history and philosophy, our courses empower students to cultivate transferable skills and foster a heightened sense of ethical awareness that will enable them to improve the world they inhabit.
The interdisciplinary curriculum intentionally exposes our students to issues and injustices within the communities in which they will be working. Students will form an understanding of the nature and limits of institutional structures as well as the application of global ethics. Alongside traditional coursework, students pursuing the BA in Justice and Community Engagement can earn credits through immersive experiences that bring them side-by-side to constituents, community members and organizational leaders as they drive change in justice, law and social work.
Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with critical thinking skills, intercultural knowledge and a strong set of values. Students are well-prepared to pursue employment in nonprofit organizations or in government as social workers, community planners, human rights advocates and educators. The major also provides a solid foundation for students who are interested in continuing their studies in law school or graduate programs like our Master's in Social Work.
While the major is grounded in classroom instruction, students can earn credits by completing intensive community immersion projects that provide an in-depth understanding of the issues they discuss in their courses.
Our students are eligible to earn credit toward the major through experiential learning opportunities across a variety of settings including law enforcement, corrections, social work and advocacy. As our students immerse themselves in conversations and job shadowing with professionals who have devoted their careers to justice work, they gain an appreciation for and understanding of the real-world communication and strategic thinking skills they need to become difference-makers in designing a more equitable future.
Sexual Violence Victim Advocacy: After completing a three-credit course on the issue, qualifying students are eligible to receive additional credit toward the major for serving as Certified Victim Advocates under the supervision of the Meriden Rape Crisis Center.
Students can apply to take Inside-Out or EMERGE: These classes place students into direct dialogue with individuals experiencing incarceration or post-incarceration processes.
Power of Pardons: Students who successfully complete a one-credit course examining recent changes to the pardon process qualify to earn additional credits for assisting community members through the pardon process.
Oxford Human Rights Consortium: Students who apply into this program and are accepted can earn credits for their travel to and work at the Oxford Human Rights Consortium.
Our Dual-Degree BA or BS/MAT programs allow you to gain the hands-on skills needed to thrive in an elementary, secondary or special education classroom. These programs enable you to seamlessly complete both your undergraduate and graduate studies in just five years. Our immersive, hands-on curriculum consists of classes, internships and student teaching experiences to shape you as a leader in education.
With an abundance of career-focused information and resources, the career advisers within the College of Arts and Sciences support students as they expand their professional networks and attract the attention of prestigious employers.
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.