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Criminal Justice

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BS Degree – Code #0287

Dr. Mark Whitman, Program Coordinator
Email address: whitmam@alfredstate.edu

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in criminal justice provides graduates with a solid foundation in the field of criminal justice, both its essential components and emerging areas, with a focus on leadership and applied learning. With strong preparation in conceptual knowledge, students gain practical experience in criminal justice, including the opportunity to complete either an internship or a lab-based criminal investigation course in their final semester. In order to prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers, the program emphasizes several areas within criminal justice:

  • Ethical law enforcement practices
  • Decision-making
  • Community relations
  • Working with diverse populations
  • Public safety
  • Criminal justice leadership and administration

Advantages

BS program students can attend the Police Academy and receive up to 12 credits toward their degree. 

Police Academy: http://www.alfredstate.edu/police-academy

 Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Communicate effectively and appropriately in written and oral form.
  • Apply critical thinking to modern criminal justice practices, procedures, and policies, as well as other disciplines.
  • Perform the basic operations of personal computer use and employ basic research techniques to locate, evaluate, and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
  • Describe the development of the US criminal justice system, its structures, laws, and functions, and how the system fits within the US democratic system.
  • Explain the importance of ethical behavior by criminal justice professionals as part of the social contract between a diverse citizenry and the criminal justice system.
  • Apply contemporary management and leadership concepts and theories.
  • Show how theories of crime, crime prevention, treatment, and punishment have impacted public policy in the US.
  • Show the connections between US constitutional law and state and local criminal law and procedures.
  • Examine the importance of diversity training for criminal justice professionals across all levels and parts of the US system.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the causes and consequences of crime.

Employment Opportunities

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the New York State Department of Labor predict that job opportunities will exist over the next decade in law enforcement at the local, county, state, and federal levels, and in correctional institutions, parole and probation departments, private security companies, and police science organizations, among others. Though the numbers point to no more than a stable projected job market over the next few years, the sheer volume of criminal justice positions should ensure ample opportunities for graduates possessing expertise in the field.

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 77 percent are employed; 23 percent have continued their education.

Related Programs

Applied Psychology (AS)
Applied Psychology (BS)
Criminal Justice (AS)
Human Services
Human Services Management
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Social Science

Entrance Requirements/recommendations

Required: Algebra

Recommended: Geometry, Biology

Criminal Justice - BS Degree

TYPICAL EIGHT-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

COMP 1503 Writing Studies 3
MATH 1123 Statistics I 3
    OR  
MATH 1113 Statistical Concepts 3
    OR  
MATH 2124 Statistical Methods & Analysis 4
PSYC 1013 General Psychology 3
SOCI 1163 General Sociology 3
CJUS 1003 Intro to Criminal Justice 3
    (Minimum of "C" required)   
      15-16

Second

PSYC 2093 Abnormal Psychology 3
PLSC 1043 American Government 3
CJUS 2003 Introduction to Law 3
XXXX xxx3 Gen Ed - Humanities Elective 3 
GLST 2113 Global & Diverse Perspectives 3
      15

Third

SOCI 1183 Contemporary Social Problems 3
BUAD 3153 Fundamentals of Management 3
SOCI 1243 Criminology 3
XXXX xxx3 Gen Ed Elective - Natural Science 3
SPCH 1083 Public Speaking 3
      15

Fourth

CJUS 4103 Policing in a Free Society 3
SOCI 1223 Power, Privilege, & Difference 3
XXXX  xxx3 Open Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 Open Elective 3
CJUS 4003 Corrections Process in the U.S 3
      15

Fifth

COMP 5703 Technical Writing II 3
SOCI 5023 Research Methods 3
CJUS 5003 Constitutional Issues in Crim 3
CJUS 5103 Courts in Contemporary Society 3
XXXX xxx3 LAS Elective - Upper 3
      15

Sixth

CJUS 6003 Law & Criminal Evidence 3
CJUS 6203 Ethics in Criminal Justice Adm 3
    OR  
PHIL 6003 Professional Ethics 3
PSYC 6103 Family & Intimate Rel Violence 3
SOCI 6003 Juvenile Justice Admin 3
XXXX xxx3 LAS Elective - Upper 3
XXXX xxx3 Professional Elective 3
      18

Seventh

PSYC 7003 Working w/Diverse Populations 3
CJUS 7004 Criminal Investigation & Mgmt 4
XXXX xxx3 Professional Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 Professional Elective 3
XXXX xxx3 LAS Elective - Upper 3
      16

Eighth

Option #1

CJUS 8012 Criminal Justice Internship 12

Option #2

CJUS 8103 Criminal Justice Internship 3
SOCI 8003 Terrorism 3
CJUS 8003 Criminal Investigation Capston 3
XXXX xxx3 Open Elective 3
      12

Option #3

CJUS 8203 Pvt Security Admin in America 3
SOCI 8003 Terrorism 3
CJUS 8003 Criminal Investigation Capston 3
XXXX xxx3 Open Elective 3
      12

Internship Requirements

Students who elect to go the internship route will be responsible for locating and securing the internship. The internships (3-hour and 12-hour) require a minimum of either 120 or 480 hours of work experience in an approved public safety agency, commonly defined as police, courts, corrections, fire service, or in a commercial/industrial security agency. The agency or industry selected must be approved by the internship coordinator and the department chair and be specifically related to the curriculum of the student. Students must be in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher) and be able to pass any required background check.

Be advised that a prior felony conviction may impede a student's ability to participate in an internship and complete the program.

Graduation Requirements

  • Good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher)
  • Successful completion of all courses in the prescribed eight-semester plan
  • Submission of the college's degree application form

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.