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
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 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 | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| INT 111: College Foundations | 1 |
| 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 CLS 101: Critical Reading or Thinking |
3 |
| CRJ 211: Practicum in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Electives | 3 |
| 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) |
6 |
| Computer Science Requirement (3 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CIS 110: Introduction to Computing and Applications | 3 |
| Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PED 192: Physical Conditioning | 1 |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 |
Total Credit Hours 64
| Advising Notes: | |
|---|---|
| 1Select from the area of Mathematics in the SUNY General Education course list. |
Effective Spring 2020
| 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) | 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) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CIS 110: Introduction to Computing and Applications | 3 |
| Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PED 192: Physical Conditioning | 1 |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 |
Total Credit Hours 63
| Advising Notes: | |
|---|---|
| 1Select from the area of Mathematics in the SUNY General Education course list. |