The School of Criminology & 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.
Recognized as #3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Program (tie)
Recognized as #3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Program for Veterans (tie)
Asst. Teaching Prof. Yahayra Michel, who was a first-generation college student, found her mentors at UMass Lowell.
Angela King Lines is already on the front lines of fighting crime as a manager at Walmart. She says her degree in criminal justice helped prepare her for her next fight: reducing the backlog of DNA tests in rape and murder cases.
Carley Bennet looks to capitalize on her Washington Center internship experience as she pursues a career in homeland security.
Her Ph.D. research at UMass Lowell won Lisa Thompson a rare research assistantship at the National Institute of Justice.
Matt Cherkerzian is an EMT majoring in criminal justice who helps with research into decision-making by first responders.
Sara Khun-Leng ’99 helps immigrants and refugees, veterans and others needing assistance as director of constituent services in the district office of U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan.
Honors transfer student Cameron McKenzie squeezed four study abroad trips into her short time at UML.
Andrew Sciascia’s studies in political science and homeland security are combining with his student newspaper experience to prepare him for a career as a political analyst.
With family ties to the criminal justice field, Casey McCauley looks to forge her path to law school through the School of Criminology and Justice Studies.
2021 Student Commencement Speaker Jamie Smorczewski knows what it means to persevere, over injury, health issues, the pandemic and life’s curveballs.
Psychology major William Cole-French, a distance runner on UML’s men’s cross country and track and field teams, received an America East Helping Hands Award for his volunteer mentorship of a local elementary school student.
A chance encounter with a professor led to an amazing research opportunity. Now Qurat Ann is researching the pros and cons of sex offender registration laws as she pursues a Ph.D.
Steven DiNoto's career is a mix of “CSI” and “Criminal Minds” high-tech rip-offs, forensics and criminal psychology. He's held top-level posts through his career and credits his UMass Lowell education for his success.
Daniela Peña fell in love with research after a faculty member offered her a paid research assistantship.
Retired MBTA Transit Police Sgt. Dic Donohue finished his master’s degree in 2012. Less than a year later, he was shot during a police firefight with the Boston Marathon bombers. After earning his Ph.D. in criminology, he’s taking a job with the RAND Corp.
Christina Han’s work with Multicultural Affairs, her club leadership and her studies in criminal justice converged in her honors capstone: running a “Support Space” for Asian American and Pacific Islander students during a surge in hate crimes.
Criminal justice major Matt Levenson loves an adventure and a challenge—and he’s bent on seizing every opportunity he can while at UMass Lowell.
After earning a master's degree in criminal justice, Sean Perry plans to pursue a Ph.D. in criminology with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor or private sector or government researcher whose studies could help improve police departments or criminal justice systems.
Elinor Mayo has lofty dreams, and Air Force ROTC is helping her find her way to the cockpit.
Kyleigh Clark-Moorman is interested in how best to prepare inmates to rejoin their communities. She’s gotten a broad range of research and teaching experiences in the doctoral program in criminology.
Criminal Justice major and community organizer Mayara Reis says the diversity at UMass Lowell let her be who she's supposed to be.
Karina Cruz appreciates the flexibility, small classes and in-depth administrative skills she’s learning, from how to change public policy to managing a diverse workforce.
A semester in Washington, D.C., interning with a nonprofit that trains women to run for political office galvanized Shaila Bornstein. As soon as she finishes at UML, she plans to return to Washington to gain political experience so she can run for president.
Veyli Ortiz Solis earned a B.S. in criminal justice in just three years – with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
As an alum and a coach, Norm Bazin makes the River Hawks proud on and off the ice.
Internships in the Middle East and in Nashua, N.H., launched Matthew Chigas on an ambitious career path.
Ryan Shields is taking a public health approach to a highly sensitive issue: child sexual abuse. The criminologist says that research suggests much of it can be prevented, and that’s reason for hope.
Deborah Friedl ’83 broke barriers for women at the Lowell Police Department. Now president of the International Association of Women Police, she’s advocating for women to play a role in police reform.
It took Lisa teDuits 27 years to earn her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She pursued the paralegal option for better job opportunities – and to set a good example for her sons.
Honors student Rachel Record won a full scholarship to law school, thanks to the Legal Studies Program and research and practical experiences.
