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Criminal Justice - AAS
The Criminal Justice AAS prepares students for exciting careers in:
- Federal Law Enforcement Agent
- Police Officer
- Probation or Parole Officer
- Corrections Officer
Students are provided a solid academic foundation that allows them to seamlessly transfer into the B.T. in Criminal Investigation program at SUNY-Canton. Students may also elect to continue their education in the B.T. Law Enforcement Leadership program.
One unique option of the criminal justice and law enforcement leadership programs is the opportunity for students to attend the St. Lawrence County David Sullivan Law Enforcement Academy located on SUNY-Canton’s campus. In phase I of the academy, students are provided training and education in the areas of physical fitness, New York State law, Civil Liability, Constitutional Law and standard first aid/CPR, among other topic areas related to law enforcement.
" When I made my decision to study the criminal justice system, I immediately explored all my options. After learning about the quality of this program, and after visiting the campus, my decision was made. I LOVE IT! The faculty are wonderful, and the program is fun, exciting, and challenging. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in the criminal justice system."
Lacey Thomas
Canajoharie, NY
Students in this Major:
- Acquire basic knowledge of law enforcement and corrections
- Have an opportunity to develop physical skills, including tactics of arrest and investigation, self-defense, and first aid.
Career Outlook:
- U.S. Department of Labor forecasts faster than average growth for protective service occupations through the year 2016.
Employers of SUNY Canton Graduates:
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- Secret Service
- U.S. Border Patrol
- U.S. Customs
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- New York State Public Police
- New York State Police
- New York Department of Corrections
- Military Police of the Armed Forces
- United States Air Force
- United Parcel Service
- Pinkerton Security
- Sheriff's Department
- Municipal Police Departments
Transfer Opportunities:
Fifty to sixty percent of AAS graduates seek baccalaureate degrees. Most of those students remain at SUNY Canton and pursue the Criminal Investigation baccalaureate.
Bachelor’s Degree Opportunities in Public Service:
- B. Tech in Criminal Investigation
- B. Tech in Law Enforcement Leadership
- B. Tech in Emergency Management
Admission Requirements:
- Refer to the table of high school course prerequisites for admission.
- Students must be prepared to take Intermediate Algebra (MATH 106)
- Students must be prepared to take Expository Writing (ENGL 101) or Oral and Written Expression (ENGL 102).
- Transfers require a minimum of 2.0 GPA.
Program Requirements (Curriculum 0640)
Semester I Credits
| JUST 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CITA 110 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| ENGL 101 ENGL 102 |
Expository Writing OR Oral & Written Expression |
3 |
| MATH 106 | Intermediate Algebra1 | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
Semester II Credits
| JUST 105 | Correctional Philosophy | 3 |
| JUST 110 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (GER 7) | 3 | |
| Natural Science w/ Lab(GER 2) | 3-4 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15-16 |
EMPHASIS A: Law Enforcement
Semester III Credits
| JUST 111 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| JUST 201 | Critical Issues in Criminal Justice* | 3 |
| JUST 209 | Law Enforcement Communications | 3 |
| American History Elective (GER 4) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
Semester IV Credits
| JUST 203 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| JUST 207 | Police Services | 3 |
| JUST 210 | Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| General Elective2 | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
EMPHASIS B: Corrections Professions
Semester III Credits
| JUST 111 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| JUST 201 | Critical Issues in Criminal Justice* | 3 |
| JUST 211 | Diagnostic Evaluation of Offender | 3 |
| American History Elective (GER 4) | 3 | |
| General Elective2 | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
Semester IV Credits
| JUST 215 | Community Based Corrections | 3 |
| PSYC 275 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SSCI 181 | Alcohol Drugs & Society | 3 |
| Program Electives | 6 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
EMPHASIS C: Criminal Justice Generalist
Semester III Credits
| JUST 111 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| JUST 201 | Critical Issues in Criminal Justice* | 3 |
| JUST 209 JUST 211 |
Law Enforcement Communications OR Diagnostic Evaluation of Offender |
3 |
| American History Elective (GER 4) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
Semester IV Credits
| Program Electives | 9 | |
| General Elective2 | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
* Fulfills writing intensive requirement
GER = General Education Requirement
1Intermediate Algebra (MATH 106) is the minimum level acceptable toward AAS degree (non-transferable to a bachelor program). Survey of Mathematics (MATH 111) or College Algebra (MATH 121) is minimum for B.Tech. degrees.
2Students planning to enter one of the bachelor's degree programs should take a GER. These students must have seven (7) GERs.
NOTE: Criminal Justice students must successfully complete the SUNY Canton computer competency requirement.
Review the Index of Course Descriptions
