Criminal Justice: B.S.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is a 124-credit program designed to prepare students interested in or currently working in public service, law enforcement, corrections, emergency services and community leadership positions.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Criminal Justice includes a set of required courses that all students must take, along with SUNY General Education and other academic requirements, in order to be eligible to receive a degree. The required courses for programs in Criminal Justice can be found on the “Program Details” tab. Students will work with a faculty mentor to develop a degree plan that matches their goals and meets all program requirements. Students should speak with their mentor to see if any credit earned through individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) or Professional Learning Evaluation (PLE) might fulfill these course requirements. Courses are offered online, through independent studies, or through a blended approach.
The contemporary criminal justice environment is continuously evolving in response to critical social needs and new approaches to policing, addressing criminal behavior, and community/government relations. This program provides a rigorous examination of the social, economic and cultural contexts of criminal justice today from all perspectives. Students will become more effective in their roles within criminal justice and related fields.
Degree Planning Resources
- Degree Planning and Assessment (login required)
- Accessibility Resources and Services (login required)
- Educational Planning: Mapping your learning (OER text)
- iPLA Worksheet and Guides
For other degree planning resources, please visit the Department of Social Science and Public Affairs Degree Planning Resources web page.
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree program in criminal justice must complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRJS 1005 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 4 |
| CRJS 3005 | Alternatives to Incarceration | 4 |
| CRJS 3009 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 4 |
| CRJS 3065 | Race Crime & Justice | 4 |
or | ||
| Police Community Relations | ||
| CRJS 3070 | Criminology, Victimology, and Restorative Justice | 4 |
| CRJS 4005 | American Corrections | 4 |
| LEST 1005 | Introduction to Law & the Legal System | 4 |
| PAFF 4132 | Legal & Ethical Foundations of Public Service | 4 |
| SOCI 1005 | Exploring Society: An Introduction to Sociology | 4 |
| And one of the following | 4 | |
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
Or | ||
| Statistics for the Social Sciences | ||
Or | ||
| Criminal Investigation | ||
Advanced-Level Electives
Students will be asked to complete two additional advanced-level courses chosen from the list below in consultation with a faculty mentor (advisor). The list below includes some of the available choices:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRJS 3015 | Courts & the Administration of Justice | 4 |
| CRJS 3020 | Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis | 4 |
| CRJS 3045 | Forensic Science | 4 |
| CRJS 3050 | Juvenile Justice & Delinquency | 4 |
| CRJS 4010 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | 4 |
| CRJS 4030 | Women Crime & Criminology | 4 |
| INFT 3020 | Cyber Crime & Computer Forensics | 3-4 |
| POLI 3115 | The United States Constitution | 4 |
| SOCI 3040 | Deviance & Social Control | 4 |
| SOCI 4030 | Power & Privilege | 4 |
| LEST 4005 | Constitutional Law I: Institutional Powers & Constraints | 4 |
*Note that some prior learning may substitute for some required courses. Faculty review and approval is required before a substitution can be made.
Students completing a bachelor’s program in criminal justice will be able to:
1.Describe The Function And Structure Of The Criminal Justice System In The United States Of America.
2.Articulate And Discuss The Basic Ethical Dilemmas/Issues In Criminal Justice.
3.Discuss The Relationship Between The Legal System, Criminal Justice System, And Political System.
4.Conduct Research Or Investigation In Criminal Justice.
5.Explain The Role Of Diverse Experiences, Perspectives, And Identities In The American Criminal Justice System.
6.Compare Alternative Approaches To Addressing Criminal Activity.
7.Analyze Theoretical Foundations Of Questions Related To Crime And Justice.