Criminal Justice

Dr. Mark Whitman, Program Coordinator
Email address: [email protected]

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 13 credits toward their degrees for two three-credit open electives, two three-credit professional electives and one one-credit physical education class. 

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 – 50 percent are employed; 50 percent have continued their education.

Related Programs

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

Required: Algebra

Recommended: Geometry, Biology

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 [email protected]  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.