The School of Criminology and Justice Studies at UMass Lowell focuses on emerging issues confronting the criminal justice system.

Students explore issues including violence and victims, justice-involved mental health populations, police innovations, data-driven practice and national security.

Graduates of our programs understand the facts and concepts of criminal justice, but, more importantly, how to apply this knowledge to related social problems and changing situations.

Learn about our faculty and what students have to say about UMass Lowell on the School of Criminology and Justice Studies YouTube Channel.

Criminal Justice Programs and Research

Highly Rated Programs

U.S. News & World Report badge for best online graduate criminal justice program, UMass Lowell.

Recognized as #3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Program

U.S. News & World Report badge for best online graduate criminal justice program for veterans, UMass Lowell.

Recognized as #2 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Program for Veterans

Academy of Criminal Justice Science Endorsed Program gold seal
Undergraduate and master's programs endorsed by Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

Meet Our Students, Faculty and Alumni

Abby Cooper poses with Chancellor Julie Chen, two students and UMass Lowell mascot Rowdy the River Hawk at Convocation.
Abby Cooper '26
Criminal Justice

Student trustee Abby Cooper is a lifelong advocate.

I always wanted to help people...I was always advocating for change.
Read More About Abby Cooper 
Yahayra Michel in front of a white board with words on it
Yahayra Michel ’07, ’09
Psychology and Criminal Justice

Asst. Teaching Prof. Yahayra Michel, who was a first-generation college student, found her mentors at UMass Lowell.

UMass Lowell just feels like home.
Read More About Yahayra Michel 
Matthew Chigas at his internship with the Nashua (N.H.) Office of Emergency Management, training other city offices and community organizations in security and emergency response.
Matthew Chigas '17, '19
Criminal Justice, Security Studies

Internships in the Middle East and in Nashua, N.H., launched Matthew Chigas on an ambitious career path.

I try to get my hands in everything.
Read More About Matthew Chigas 
Mayara Reis, center, with MVBB Voices cofounders Bria Gadsden and Elizabeth Walther-Grant
Mayara Reis '22
Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice major and community organizer Mayara Reis says the diversity at UMass Lowell let her be who she's supposed to be.

(UML) is so diverse. So many people look like me. It let me start being who I am supposed to me.
Read More About Mayara Reis 

News

More News
  • A woman poses for a photo with her arms folded while standing in front of a campus building.

    Criminal Justice Professor Studies Prosecutors’ Decision-Making

    Assistant Professor Rebecca Dunlea of the School of Criminology and Justice Studies partners with prosecutors around the country on research projects. Two recently published studies looked at case outcomes that are alternatives to plea deals.
    Featured Story
  • Six people pose for a group photo while standing in front of a window in a room.

    Braven Partnership Expands Career-Prep Opportunities

    UMass Lowell is the first New England university to partner with Braven, a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate students’ careers and prepare them for strong first postcollege jobs.
    Featured Story
  • A young man in a black hoodie and baseball cap poses for a photo outside of a record store.

    Criminal Justice Alum Takes a ‘Counter Intuitive’ Career Path

    Ten years ago, criminal justice alum Jake Sulzer ’15 took a “shot in the dark” and offered to release a local band’s album on vinyl. Now, he runs a successful independent record label, Counter Intuitive Records, and recently launched a brick-and-mortar store in Brookline, Massachusetts.
    Featured Story
  • The Mock Trial team poses with a UMass Lowell flag - United In Blue.

    UMass Lowell Student Teams Just Keep Winning

    UMass Lowell student teams, including Mock Trial, a cyber security team, Model United Nations (U.N.) and an investment class, are on a winning streak this year.
    Featured Story

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