2024-2025 Student Catalog 
    
    Nov 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Student Catalog

Apply Today

Criminal Justice, A.S.



Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program (Full-Time Day)

Degree/Certificate:   Associate in Science
HEGIS Code:           5505
SUNY Code:            2279
Major Code:            CRIM

The Career

The American system of criminal justice is composed of three major components: law enforcement, the courts and corrections. It remains a rapidly growing professional and academic field. The Criminal Justice program at SUNY Niagara utilizes a strong behavioral science and general education foundation. It’s this combination of knowledge and interdisciplinary insight that provides the student of criminal justice with insight and understanding into the complex societal problem of crime and the administration of justice.

The SUNY Niagara Approach

The student who graduates from the Criminal Justice program should be able to use the knowledge and skills he/she has acquired in a variety of career opportunities. Graduates have obtained professional careers in the criminal justice system at the local, state and federal levels. Although some graduates begin their career immediately after obtaining their Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, most graduates continue their academic studies at four-year institutions and embark on their careers after completing their bachelor’s degree requirements.

SUNY Niagara’s Criminal Justice graduates are currently enjoying careers with the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Secret Service, US Customs, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Bureau of Prisons, US Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, US Marshall’s, Immigration and Naturalization Service, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections, Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, Lockport Police Department, Niagara Falls Police Department, Niagara County Probation, North Tonawanda Police Department, Niagara County District Attorney’s Office, Niagara County Public Defender’s Office and colleges and universities. In addition, graduates are employed in similar careers throughout the United States.

Admissions

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.

The Criminal Justice program is offered as a full-time or part-time program. Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take longer than four semesters to complete the full-time program if a student begins in a spring semester.

Dual Admissions

D’Youville University
Hilbert College
Niagara University
SUNY at Buffalo
SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College at Fredonia
SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome

Articulation Agreements

Hilbert College
Niagara University
SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College/Empire State

Transfer Information

Upon completion of the AS degree in Criminal Justice, approximately 70 percent of the graduates continue their studies at four-year institutions. A majority continue their studies in the field of criminal justice, but many choose to pursue degrees in fields as diverse as law, social work, paralegal, sociology, education, psychology, legal studies and forensic science. The Criminal Justice program also provides an excellent preparation for assorted transfer options into allied fields.

Primary transfer institutions include SUNY College at Buffalo, Niagara University, SUNY at Buffalo, SUNY College at Brockport, SUNY at Albany, Rochester Institute of Technology and Hilbert College. In addition, some graduates select major colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • The Criminal Justice program will prepare students for successful transfer to four-year institutions in criminal justice and related fields
  • Although the AS degree in Criminal Justice can provide some students the preparatory educational background for entry-level positions throughout the criminal justice system, most graduates will continue their studies at upper-level institutions
  • Students will meet at least seven of the ten SUNY General Education Requirements
  • The Criminal Justice program provides a supportive educational background in the progress and academic growth of individuals currently working in the criminal justice system
  • The Criminal Justice program will provide elective courses for students in other curricula from throughout the college

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of criminal justice as a social science and relate other social science disciplines to the study of criminal justice
  • Describe how the criminal justice system currently operates in the United States on the federal, state and local level
  • Explain how the procedural law operates in the criminal justice system, assess due process and will be able to brief a constitutional case
  • Recognize how criminal justice policies are formulated and implemented while applying social science research and analyzing criminal justice data and statistics
  • Identify the operational methods and ideologies of correctional institutions and agencies on the federal, state and local levels
  • Acquire first-hand experience in an agency of the criminal justice system and demonstrate an ability to relate their classroom learning to their field experience
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of the various controversial issues that confront the criminal justice system

Program Requirements (CRIM)


  1. A total of at least 62-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
  2. Criminal Justice: A minimum of 18-credit hours to include:
     
     
     
    CRJ 104 - Introduction to Policing 
     
      ***
  3. Electives: A minimum of 9-credit hours
  4. Health/Physical Education: A minimum of 2-credit hours
  5. Communication - Written - General Education:  A minimum of 6-credit hours to include:
      *
      
  6. Communication - Oral - General Education:  A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
      
  7. Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning - General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    Mathematics - General Education  elective by advisement.
  8. Arts - General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours chosen from:
    Arts - General Education   elective
  9. Social Science - General Education: A minimum of 12-credit hours to include:
      
    HIS ___  - US History & Civic Engagement  General Education elective by advisement
     
    ___  ___    Social Sciences  elective
  10. World History & Global Awareness - General Education:  A minimum of 3-credits hours to include:
      
  11. Natural Science & Scientific Reasoning - General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
      

Typical Program (Full-Time Day)


Total Credit hours: 16


Total Credit Hours: 15


Third Semester


Total Credit Hours: 16


Fourth Semester


Total Credit Hours: 15


Note:


* Dependent upon the fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.

** Any combination of HED, PED, and DAN courses may be taken to fulfill the 2 credit hour requirements.

*** Criminal Justice students only.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to SUNY Niagara students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The SUNY Niagara Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.