Online bachelor degree in criminal justice

NEW YORK -- The first-ever, entirely online Bachelor's degree program in Criminal Justice to be approved by the New York State Education Department will be offered by Monroe College in The Bronx and New Rochelle beginning with the start of its Spring Semester which starts April 28th.

"This is significant for police officers and other people working in the criminal justice profession worldwide," said William H. McDonald, Ph.D., department chair. "Eighty percent of police departments in the United States have a staff of fewer than 35 people. They have neither the manpower nor the resources and experience to prepare for the post 9/11 world of criminal justice. Unfortunately, the reality of terrorist attacks, gangs and increasingly larger prison populations are no longer isolated to major markets such as New York City. Consider the recent shooting rampage in the remote Indian reservation in Red Lake, MN."

McDonald said this online program is based on the "post 9/11 New York City experience" and was developed with the working, experienced criminal justice professional in mind. "Working criminal justice professionals often have very legitimate reasons for why they can't pursue a higher education degree. Because of the shift-work nature of this profession, being able to show up to class on a specific day at a specific time, for a consistent 15-week semester may be impossible. But being able to take classes online, any day of the week, any time of day, but still within a specific semester time-frame now only requires motivation, primarily."

Noting that police officers, in particular, can retire with full benefits before turning 40, "having the academic credentials to maximize the potential value of 20-years or more as a criminal justice professional should be a strong incentive in planning for the future," said McDonald.

McDonald, who has nearly 40-years experience as a highly-decorated law enforcement professional, began his career in 1968 in the Washington, DC metro police department. He achieved detective rank in 1972 when officers from his precinct rounded up burglars at the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. He has assembled an instructional staff of current and retired law-enforcement and other criminal justice professionals since Monroe began offering the degree in 2003, all with either Ph.D. or Masters degrees. It includes a former sergeant in New York City Police Department Counter Terrorism Division, an active police commissioner with experience in counter terrorism, intelligence, and organized crime, and a Deputy New York State Attorney General.

Monroe College operates on a three-semester academic calendar. It maintains a rolling admissions policy and is currently accepting applicants for its Spring semester beginning April 28th. Traditional on-campus classes are offered days, evenings and weekends. To inquire about applying to the Online Criminal Justice Bachelor's degree program, call 1-800-55-MONROE or 718-933-6700, ext. 246. Candidates interested in and available to visit the campus are invited to attend an Admissions Department Open House on April 11th at 11 AM or 5 PM, at either 2501 Jerome Avenue, The Bronx, or 466 Main Street, New Rochelle.

Founded in 1933, Monroe College has grown to become one of New York's leading colleges offering programs in business, technology, and professional studies. It offers bachelor's degree programs in accounting, business management, computer information systems, criminal justice, general business, health services administration, and hospitality management as well as associate degree programs in accounting and finance, business administration, business technologies, computer information systems, criminal justice, culinary arts, hospitality management, medical administration, and medical assisting.