Criminal Justice A.S.

Career Opportunities  |  Transfer Opportunities  | Degree Requirements | For More Information
Apply for Admission  | General Education Requirements | Articulation Agreements

The Program (HEGIS Code 5505)

Whether individuals are just finishing high school or are 20-year law enforcement veterans, JCC’s criminal justice degree challenges them to sharpen essential skills and make informed judgments. In today’s fast-paced world, professionals must communicate clearly, analyze situations, and apply proven tactics. Our criminal justice degree includes solid grounding in criminal evidence, criminal administrative procedures, technical writing, psychology, sociology, and American government. Students also choose between criminology and juvenile delinquency while completing requirements in laboratory science and mathematics. There are plenty of electives to choose from including community corrections, sex-crime investigations, interviews/interrogations, and hundreds of classes in other subject areas.

The field of Criminal Justice is widely varied, containing many diverse job descriptions and opportunities. Many skills will be obtained in this course of study, which are applicable to both transfer students and those seeking employment immediately upon graduation.

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice will be able to achieve the following outcomes:

• Prepare written material in a criminal justice setting; read, understand and interpret written information;
• Apply written information in the form of laws, policies, procedures, directives, etc., to situations that are similar to experiences faced in the criminal justice system;
• Communicate effectively; and
• Understand the organizational structure of criminal justice agencies.

Assessment of competence in these areas will be measured through the use of examination questions.

Career Opportunities

Criminal Justice graduates earn top dollar in secure positions. JCC’s criminal justice degree leads to professional employment as a police investigator, corrections officer, crime lab technician, probation officer, or dozens of other jobs. Employers at the local, state, and federal level range from Sheriff’s Departments and State Police to Military Police, Border Patrol, FBI, and Secret Service. Specialties include homicide, arson, cyber-crime, drug enforcement, K-9 and SWAT teams.

Transfer Opportunities

Approximately 60% of our criminal justice graduates choose to continue their education. As a graduate of Jefferson you will have many transfer opportunities to consider and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colleges and universities to pursue your baccalaureate degree.  Popular transfer institutions for JCC graduates include SUNY Oswego, SUNY Canton, SUNY Potsdam, Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and other institutions across the United States.  Additionally, Jefferson has partnered with some selected academic institutions to develop agreements that help students transfer smoothly.   These agreements assist students with selecting courses in their academic program that will transfer effectively to specific baccalaureate programs:

* This program is offered through the Keuka College ASAP (Accelerated Study for Adults Program) in Watertown at the Jefferson Community College Higher Education Center.   Classes meet one night each week for 4 hours, plus an additional 5-8 hours outside of class. The baccalaureate degree can be earned in just under 2 years.

**As a student in this joint admissions program, you will be guaranteed placement in the junior class at SUNY Potsdam once you earn an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Jefferson Community College.

Information for Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Students: Students who are Criminal Justice graduates of Bohlen Technical Center in Watertown, Sacket 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 JCC.  Please contact criminal justice instructors at any of the above schools.

For More Information

Cynthia Shelmidine, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
cshelmidine@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2441

Paul Alteri, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
palteri@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2442

Application and Admissions Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2277 or Toll Free 1-888-435-6522

JCC’s public safety department chair, Cindy Shelmidine, for further information and eligibility requirements.