2024 – 2025
Legal & Protective Services
Joanne Romanelli, Academy B Administrator – Ext. 267
Course & Program of Studies
Statement of Purpose
The legal and protective services field provides students with an in depth course of study in law and criminal justice. The Program prepares students to enter the workforce in the area of public safety and the legal profession. Students earn many certifications which are used in the legal field today. Additionally, the rigorous legal curriculum provides students with a competitive edge in a wide variety of criminal justice areas when entering college.
Through this program students learn legal theory and its application in real world scenarios. Students gain insight into the philosophies and disciplines of a variety of criminal justice areas such as effective communications, crime scene processing, criminal law and procedure, disaster preparedness, ethics, law enforcement, private investigations, and trial practice.
Exploratory Program
The half-year Freshman Exploratory program will provide students with a basic overview of traffic violations, fire investigation, fingerprinting, mock court trial, and crime scene investigation.
Freshman Program
The half-year course of study freshman year will provide students with exposure and instruction regarding career pathways in the law, public safety, corrections, security, private protective services, and fire protection careers. Instruction will also include fingerprinting, DNA evidence, Principles of American Democracy, citizenship and the role of the American government.
Sophomore Program
The sophomore Legal & Protective course is a 90 day program, includes instruction and practical skills in the areas of legal concepts and terminology, development of critical reason skills through analysis and application of law, law based on information of Massachusetts and the United States Constitution, and achievement of a variety of professional and FEMA certifications.
Sophomore Related Class 1
Principles of Business
“Principles of Business” is a sophomore level course, which centers around principles, policies and procedures related to being an entrepreneur. Two tracks run simultaneously during this course. The first, focuses on the use of computers, understanding application, hardware, software and responsible use of technology. The course also concentrates on intermediate word processing and spreadsheet applications using Microsoft Word and Excel. Students will process business correspondence, mail merges, memos, tables, and newsletters, as well as basic Microsoft Excel functions. Through the text, “The Teen Entrepreneur”, students study the principles of entrepreneurship, small business, and start-up procedures. At the same time they choose a business of their own and prepare all necessary documents to obtain funding, research the market, gain customers, and operate the business. Students will be challenged to use creativity, entrepreneurial writing, and decision-making skills that will yield a professional business plan and marketing materials. The business plan can then be used as a guide to help operate and manage the chosen business.
Sophomore Related Class 2
Legal Terminology & Certifications
This course provides instruction in the area of legal terminology for success in the various career pathways and for application of knowledge in the junior and senior year of the Legal & protective Services program. Professional and FEMA certification achievements are part of this course as well.
Junior Program
The junior year program provides instruction and technical skills in the area of tactical communications, criminal law, report writing, powers to arrest, ethics & professionalism, use of force, interview & interrogation, private investigation, domestic violence, traffic stops and crime scene investigation.
Junior Related 1
Criminal Investigation I
The Criminal Investigation course is designed to teach students scientific, legal, as well as social developments and the changes in criminal behavior. Instruction will include legal aspects of investigations, cybercrimes, interviewing and interrogation, and crime labs.
Junior Related 2
Juvenile Delinquency
The Juvenile Delinquency offers a solid foundation for a career in their chosen field. It provides practical experiences in various criminal justice jobs. It will provide students a solid understanding of how to apply the law in any chosen field. It will give students a broad understanding of interpersonal skills needed to work in a diverse population. Students will understand both state and federal laws. They will develop public speaking skills, as well as writing skills.
Senior Program
During the senior year of the Legal & Protective Services program, students will have the option of Cooperative Education or the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. Upon completion of the EMT course students will have the opportunity to take the EMT certification examination.
Senior Related 1
Criminal Investigation II
This course will build upon and expand the knowledge taught in Criminal Investigation I. This will include legal aspects of investigations, cybercrimes, interviewing and interrogation, and crime labs.
Senior Related 2
Health & Wellness – Elective
The Health and Wellness class is designed to educate students on overall health and wellbeing. The class will understand the required goals needed for the college application process. The class will provide practical education with teenage alcohol awareness, stress management, mental health, finances, as well as cardio and weight training.
Certifications
Career Opportunities
- 911 Telecommunicator
- Armed Forces
- Correctional Officer
- Court Personnel
- Emergency Dispatcher
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Firefighter
- Emergency Medical Responder
Post-Secondary Education
Associate Degree Programs:
- Associate of Science (A.S.) in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Criminal Justice
Bachelor’s Degree Programs:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ)
- Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Master’s Degree Programs:
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Justice
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Criminal Justice
- Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
- Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) with a concentration in Criminal Justice
