Roberts, as a liberal arts institution, is uniquely equipped to offer an interdisciplinary course of study in Economic Crime Investigation. Students at Roberts are prepared through education and experience in a liberal arts setting to understand and influence the world around them. The skills needed to communicate effectively and to interact in both the society in which we live and cross-culturally are specific characteristics sought by employers.
Year after year students list interaction with faculty as one of the strengths of Roberts Wesleyan College. As a teaching institution, the faculty at Roberts is involved with students on a day by day basis. The average class size is fourteen students and normally taught directly by members of the faculty. In addition, faculty are available for one-on-one work outside the classroom and for consultation on areas of research and advanced study of interest to the students.
Criminal Justice Program
The Criminal Justice Program is taught from a Restorative Justice perspective. Restorative justice sees crime as a violation of people and relationships. Crime creates obligations. The needs of the victim, the offender AND the community need to be addressed. Restorative justice considers matters of accountability and reconciliation.
Each year students in the criminal justice program participate in an urban experiential field trip. Trips have been taken to New York City, Washington, D. C., and Toronto, Canada. Students are engaged in ride-along experiences, visit correctional institutions, forensic crime labs, and sit in on criminal trials.
Roberts criminal justice students are actively engaged in a joint venture between the criminal justice program at RWC and an Alternative Junior High School from BOCES 2 (Westside Academy), aimed at recognizing the value of youth in society. This joint venture is entitled REACH (Roberts engaging adolescents and creating heroes). Our students participate as mentors to these youth, who come into our classes once a week during the fall and spring semesters. For students interested in working with young people, this is an outstanding opportunity to gain invaluable experience.
Business Program
Students across the campus are encouraged to participate in Roberts’ award winning Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team. Students in SIFE learn valuable skills in business and management while making an impact on the world around them.
Roberts is committed to providing technology across the campus. Computers are available around the campus both for general student use and also for the support of specific departments. Networking is available in all buildings on campus with many having wireless access in addition. Students are encouraged to incorporate hands-on learning in laboratories with their classroom work. Students in the ECI will have access to a newly equipped Computer Security and Forensics lab where they will be able to work with specialized tools in support of their course work.
Faith and Learning
Consistent with the ethical and moral underpinnings of our college’s mission statement, this new major will emphasize the importance of ethical behavior in preparing students to obtain the skills necessary to effectively investigate cases of fraud and other white collar crimes perpetrated by people doing business and using technology in inappropriate and illegal ways. The faculty values a personal and interactive environment that promotes intellectual growth and the integration of Christian faith, in order to prepare students to live and serve responsibly in society.
