Sean Perry wanted to be a police officer, so he enrolled in 51Ƶ’s undergraduate criminal justice program.

“At the risk of sounding clichéd, I think everyone who signs up for that major wants to help people,” says Perry, a native of Methuen. As he gained knowledge and experience, however, he saw that research can also help people.

As his career goals evolved, Perry decided to enroll in the bachelor’s-to-master’s program. He earned a master’s degree in criminology/criminal justice in August 2018.

During his graduate coursework, Perry learned that research and policy evaluation are needed in the criminal justice field. It was a potent lesson.

“Certain classes were eye-openers,” he says. While not a math lover, his success in descriptive and inferential statistics course bolstered his confidence. “I realized, yes, I could do that,” he says.

Perry plans to pursue a Ph.D. in criminology with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor or private sector or government researcher whose studies could help improve police departments or criminal justice systems.

He cites the high-quality faculty as a reason he continued, and wishes to continue, at 51Ƶ. “I received a really good education here. I feel like I never got anything less than Ivy Leaguers did,” he says. 51Ƶ professors are so approachable, he says, contrasting that with experiences he says friends have had at Ivy League institutions: “In fact, the down-to-earth atmosphere really suits me.”

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