The Department of Criminal Justice at RIT provides hearing imapired and deaf individuals with state-of-the-art technical and professional education programs, complemented by a strong arts and sciences curriculum. This prepares students to work in the mainstream of a rapidly changing global community and enhances their interest and skill in continuing lifelong learning.
Currently, 8% of Criminal Justice Majors are identified as deaf or hard of hearing, as are approximately 10% of students enrolled as minors in the program. Many other deaf students take classes in Criminal Justice.
The CJ Department's exciting in-class curriculum and out-of-class opportunities, as well as marketable career preparation, are designed to help students gain maximum benefits from their educational experiences at RIT...experiences that lead to successful careers.
FAQ's
What career options are open to me?
There are a number of criminal justice career options available to deaf persons. Included are: policy analysis; research; law; paralegal; lab technician; juvenile justice; counseling and probation.
What career options are not open to me?
Several criminal justice careers are not available to deaf persons. These include: law enforcement officers; correctional officers; and many private security officers.
Will I have an interpreter in my classes?
Under most circumstances, interpreters are assigned to classes with deaf or hard of hearing students. However, students must plan their class schedule in advance to ensure coverage.
Are interpreters assigned to non-classroom events?
Every effort is made to have interpreters at these events, although students should make the Department aware if they plan on attending these events.
Will I have a notetaker in my classes?
Under most circumstances, notetakers are assigned to classes with deaf or hard of hearing students. Again, students must plan their class schedule in advance to ensure coverage. In many cases, notetakers are Criminal Justice majors.
Is a tutor available for my classes?
Jennifer Gravitz, Esq. tutors all Criminal Justice classes. Professor Gravitz is also fluent in ASL.
Will my advisor and/or professor know ASL?
Maybe. Currently, Jennifer Gravitz, Esq., is the only faculty member who is fluent in ASL. LaVerne McQuiller Williams, Esq., is not fluent, yet does know some ASL. Additionally, Amy Robinson, Department Administrative Assistant, has taken ASL courses. An effort is being made for all Criminal Justice faculty to take ASL courses.
Will this program prepare me for law/grad school?
Yes. In fact, we have sent several deaf students to law school and graduate school. The application process is the same for everyone. Students interested in these areas should become members of the Pre-law Association and/or Criminal Justice Student Association.
Internships
Listed below are examples of internships completed by deaf or hearing students at RIT:
>>Monroe County Public Safety Lab
>>Public Interest Law Organization
>>MCHAI
>>New York Division of Human Rights
>>Monroe County District Attorney's Office
>>Industry (Juvenile Detention Facility)
>>Judge Joseph Valentino
>>National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
>>George Washington University
>>Public Policy Summer Intern Program
>>Hillside Children's Center