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
