Criminal Justice AS
SUNY Jefferson
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Criminal Justice AS

Student analyzing fingerprints
100% of this program can be completed online.

Program Highlights

  • Program Type: Transfer
  • Delivery Method: On-campus or online
  • Personal Interest: Law and justice, criminal investigation
  • Career Options: Law enforcement, government, military
  • Skill Building: Problem-solving, communication, leadership
  • Program Code: HEGIS 5509

Build the foundation for your law enforcement career

Whether you are a recent high-school graduate, a military veteran, or a law enforcement professional with 20 years of experience, the Criminal Justice A.S. at Jefferson can prepare you for a successful future in law enforcement.

The 63 credit-hour program includes core classes in criminal evidence, criminal administrative procedures, technical writing, psychology, sociology, and American government. You can also choose from electives including community corrections, sex-crime investigations, and interviews and interrogations that will help you sharpen your skills and make informed judgments. 

Graduate ready for future studies at a four-year college or a law enforcement academy or put your skills to work right away.

This program offers:

  • Strong foundation in criminal procedures and policies
  • Options for in-depth studies in criminology and juvenile detention
  • Career preparation whether you’re a rookie or an experienced professional

Go to work protecting and serving the public

A degree in criminal justice prepares you for professional employment as a police investigator, corrections officer, crime lab technician, probation officer, and dozens of other roles. 

You’ll focus on preventing and investigating crimes, apprehending suspected criminals, and managing public safety at the local, state, or federal levels. Employers include city police and sheriff departments, state police or military police, the Border Patrol, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service.

Demand for law enforcement professionals is expected to grow by 7 percent through 2026. However, employment opportunities vary by location.

Learn the law and the skills to enforce it

When you complete the Criminal Justice A.S. degree you will be able to:

  • Read, understand, and interpret written information and prepare written reports
  • Apply laws, policies, procedures, and directives in criminal-justice settings
  • Communicate effectively
  • Understand the organizational structure of criminal justice agencies

 

 

Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information

Jules Center 6-010 (ground level)
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday

 

Transfer to the bachelor’s program of your choice

While the Criminal Justice A.S. prepares students to enter many law enforcement training programs, approximately 60 percent of our graduates choose to continue their education at area colleges and universities.

Formal transfer agreements with the following institutions make transfer especially smooth:

  • Columbia College, Criminal Justice Administration B.A.
  • Franklin University, Public Safety Management B.S.
  • Keuka College, Criminal Justice Systems B.S.
  • SUNY Canton, Emergency Management B.T.
  • SUNY Empire State College, various degrees
  • SUNY Potsdam, Criminal Justice B.A. 

For Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Students: Students who are Criminal Justice graduates of Bohlen Technical Center in Watertown, Sackett Technical Center in Glenfield, Southwest Technical Center in Gouverneur or Burten Tamer Technical Center in Mexico are eligible for up to 6 college credits from Jefferson. 

Degree requirements for Criminal Justice A.S.

College Foundations (1 credit hour)
College Foundations Credit Hours
INT 111: College Foundations  1
Criminal Justice Requirements (18 credit hours)
Criminal Justice Requirements (18 credit hours) Credit Hours
CRJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 102: Criminal Administrative Procedures 3
CRJ 224: Criminal Justice Report Writing 3
CRJ 233: Basic Firearms or
CRJ 207: Community Corrections 
3
CRJ 211: Practicum in Criminal Justice  3
Criminal Justice Electives 3
Liberal Arts Requirements (40 credit hours)
Liberal Arts Requirements (40 credit hours) Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
ENG 102: Literature and Composition 3
MTH 144: Elementary Statistics or
higher Mathematics course (except MTH 148 or MTH 149)1
3
POL 121: Introduction to American Government or
POL 122: State and Local Government
3
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
PSY 235: Abnormal Psychology 3
SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology 3
SOC 244: Social Problems or 
SOC 245: Criminology or
SOC 246: Juvenile Delinquency
3
STA 151: Public Speaking or
STA 211: Managing Conflict
3
Laboratory Science Elective 4
Mathematics or Science Elective 3
Choose TWO courses from two different areas:
   

Area 1: HIS 150: American History to 1877 or HIS 151: American History from 1877 to Present) 
or Area 2: PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy 
or Area 3: ART 104: Digital Photography
or Area 4: World Languages Elective (ARA, ASL, FRE, GER, ITA, LAT, SPA) 

6
Computer Science Requirement (3 credit hours)
Computer Science Requirement (3 credit hours) Credit Hours
CIS 110: Introduction to Computing and Applications 3
Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours)
Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours) Credit Hours
PED 192: Physical Conditioning 1
Physical Education Elective 1

Total Credit Hours 64

 

Advising Notes
Advising Notes:  
1Select from the area of Mathematics in the SUNY General Education course list.  

Effective Spring 2020

Criminal Justice Requirements (18 credit hours)
Criminal Justice Requirements (18 credit hours) Credit Hours
CRJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 102: Criminal Administrative Procedures 3
CRJ 224: Criminal Justice Report Writing 3
CRJ 233: Basic Firearms 3
Criminal Justice Electives 6
Liberal Arts Requirements (40 credit hours)
Liberal Arts Requirements (40 credit hours) Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
ENG 102: Literature and Composition 3
MTH 144: Elementary Statistics or
higher Mathematics course (except MTH 148 or MTH 149)1
3
POL 121: Introduction to American Government or
POL 122: State and Local Government
3
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
PSY 235: Abnormal Psychology 3
SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology 3
SOC 244: Social Problems or 
SOC 245: Criminology or
SOC 246: Juvenile Delinquency
3
STA 151: Public Speaking or
STA 211: Managing Conflict
3
Laboratory Science Elective 4
Mathematics or Science Elective 3
Choose TWO courses from two different areas:
     American History – HIS 150 or HIS 151
     Western Civilization – PHI 101
     The Arts – ART 104
     Foreign Language – any ARA, ASL, FRE, GER, ITA, LAT, SPA
6
Computer Science Requirement (3 credit hours)
Computer Science Requirement (3 credit hours) Credit Hours
CIS 110: Introduction to Computing and Applications 3
Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours)
Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours) Credit Hours
PED 192: Physical Conditioning 1
Physical Education Elective 1

Total Credit Hours 63

 

Advising Notes
Advising Notes:  
1Select from the area of Mathematics in the SUNY General Education course list.  

 

Program contacts

Paul Alteri

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
palteri@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2442

Nicholas Thornthwaite

Instructor of Criminal Justice
nthornthwaite@sunyjefferson.edu 
(315) 786-2494