All courses focus on the study of crime from a variety of perspectives: cause of crime, societal reaction, judicial processing and treatment of offenders, as well as the philosophy and practice of social control and administration of criminal behavior. Emphasis is also placed on critical thinking and problem solving.

The curriculum culminates with two senior seminar courses, which brings together all facets of the Marist College undergraduate experience and the lessons learned in the major. A mandatory six-credit internship enables the Criminal Justice major to experience practical criminal justice from a variety of criminal justice and allied agencies. Internship placements include the range of federal, state, and local agencies. Experiencing criminal justice in both the classroom and professional world enables students to make informed career choices. Major curriculum completion, coupled with all Core/Liberal Arts requirements, leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Internships with a criminal justice or allied agency are also required of all majors. Previous intern sites have ranged from the United States Secret Service to the City of New York Police Department to the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department to Green Haven Correctional Facility. Many more sites covering the range of criminal justice interests are available.