Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

Location(s): Main Campus, Internet Academy

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HEGIS: 5505

SUNY CODE: 0640

The Criminal Justice A.A.S. program is designed to prepare students for careers in criminal justice agencies as paraprofessionals in law enforcement, criminal investigation, probation, parole and similar fields. A three-credit internship experience is designed to integrate the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom with the practical knowledge of working in the field

The goals of this program are to:

introduce students to the proactive and reactive approaches in crime deterrence, investigation, and apprehension of those who break the law, and how race, class and gender impacts those approaches.
introduce students to the field of corrections with a focus in the areas of detention, supervision, administration and rehabilitation of incarcerated persons and alternatives to justice; and
provide students with an overview of different types of law and provide knowledge of different crime control philosophies currently and historically used within the criminal justice system.

Successful graduates from this program will be able to:

compare and review proactive and reactive approaches in crime deterrence, investigation and apprehension of those who break the law. Students will also identify and analyze how approaches to crime deterrence, investigation and apprehension are affected by race, class, and gender at the policy administrative and operational levels.
identify issues that arise in the workplace environment of corrections as they relate to the detention, supervision, and rehabilitation of offenders.
distinguish between different types of law and describe different crime control philosophies currently and historically used within the criminal justice system.

Career Opportunities/Transfer Information

Graduates find employment as police officers, criminal investigators, IRS agents, customs agents, park rangers, environmental conservation officers, state troopers, corrections officers, corrections counselors, bailiffs, court administrators, criminalists, alarm investigators, credit investigators, security detectives and loss prevention specialists. While not designed as a transfer program, many of our graduates go on to four-year colleges and universities such as SUNY Brockport, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Albany, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Utica University.

Program of Study

1st Year

1st Semester

CJ 120 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
CJ 123 - Criminal Substantive Law Credit Hour(s): 3
EN 111 - College Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
FS 100 - First Year Student Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
SS 151 - Introductory Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 161 - Introductory Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3

Subtotal: 16

2nd Semester

CJ 124 - Criminal Procedure Law Credit Hour(s): 3
CJ 125 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Credit Hour(s): 3
EN 112 - College Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
Criminal Justice Elective Credit Hour(s): 3
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Selective Credit Hour(s): 3
Physical Education Activity Credit Hour(s): 1

Subtotal: 16

Mathematics Selective: Must be MA 124 or higher and must be chosen from the General Education category.

2nd Year

3rd Semester

CJ 151 - Introduction to Corrections Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 122 - American History Since 1865 Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
SS 141 - American Government Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 167 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 241 - American Minorities Credit Hour(s): 3
Natural Sciences and Scientific Reasoning Credit Hour(s): 3

Subtotal: 15

4th Semester

IS 115 - Computer Applications I Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 136 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
Electives Credit Hour(s): 3-4
EN/HU Elective Credit Hour(s): 3
CJ 271 - Criminal Justice Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
Criminal Justice Elective Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
Social Science Elective Credit Hour(s): 3
Physical Education Activity Credit Hour(s): 1

Subtotal: 16-17

Students should consult with their academic advisor for appropriate course selections

Recommended Social Science Electives

SS 141 - American Government Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 152 - Developmental Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 162 - Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 225 - Terrorism and Homeland Security Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 255 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 62

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of this program. For more information, visit www.herkimer.edu/felony.

This program may be completed entirely online. For more information access Herkimer College’s Internet Academy website: www.herkimer.edu/ia

For more information, contact the Academic Division at (315) 866-0300, ext. 8240 or toll free 1-844-GO-4-HERK, ext. 8240.