Capstone Experience

Our program's capstone course gives criminal justice and criminology majors real-world experience through their work on an overarching research project. The course is the culmination of four years of learning, combining critical skills like public speaking, research, writing, teamwork and leadership.

Students are given key intelligence questions from state and federal law enforcement agencies. They work in teams to research and analyze their assigned topic, produce a written intelligence assessment for the agency and present their findings in a formal briefing to senior leadership. Students also receive classroom instruction on related topics, such as international and domestic extremism and the role of ethics in law enforcement.

Supporting agencies include:

• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal Bureau of Investigations
• New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
• Rhode Island Department of Corrections
• Rhode Island State Fusion Center
• U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island
• U.S. Naval War College