Monroe College President Stephen J. Jerome announced that the college will begin offering the Associate in Science and the Bachelor of Science degrees in criminal justice beginning with its fall semester in September, 2003. “Monroe’s venture into criminal justice reflects the college’s mission and 70-year tradition of providing high-demand courses of study that offer promising career opportunities.” said President Jerome.

Earlier this month the New York State Board of Regents approved the new degree program, Monroe’s first venture into the social sciences. President Jerome also announced the appointment of William H. McDonald, Ph.D. to chair the new department. “Dr. McDonald brings not only outstanding academic credentials to this exciting assignment, but over 35 years experience as a highlydecorated law enforcement professional and as a first-rate educator of criminal justice.”

The Monroe College Criminal Justice Program will offer a wide range of courses leading to careers in law enforcement, corrections, social work, probation, treatment and counseling, juvenile and family advocacy, the court systems, and other related fields. All of the courses will be taught by criminal justice professionals who have many years of experience and unique insights.

Monroe College will offer criminal justice courses during the day, evening, weekend, and online. For those who qualify, transfer and life-experience credits are accepted and financial aid is available. As with all Monroe College programs, criminal justice students will receive lifetime career placement assistance.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s current Occupational Outlook Handbook, career opportunities in criminal justice are, “growing faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, increasing by 36%.” “For people already working in criminal justice,” Dr. McDonald noted, “Monroe’s entry into the field will not only offer another educational option, but one that is based on a three full-semester schedule that provides students the option of earning a Bachelor’s degree in as little as three years.”