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Criminal Justice

Why Study Criminal Justice?

Are you looking for a way to make a difference while giving back to your community? If you are, then Columbia-Greene’s Criminal Justice program may be the program for you! The field of criminal justice is abound with career opportunities that are meant to serve and protect others. Students of criminal justice complete courses in criminal and procedural law, policing, corrections, psychology, sociology, and political science. This broad foundation prepares students for a variety of professions in law enforcement – including careers in policing, probation and parole, victim advocacy, and cybercrime. Students who complete a degree in Criminal Justice at Columbia-Greene will not only come to learn about the justice system, but will also develop stronger critical thinking skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, refine communication strategies, and learn to think quickly on their feet.

Program Options

Credits: 61 | Time to Completion: 2 years

Curriculum Code: 1100 I Liberal Arts Credits: 45 I Program Credits: 61

This curriculum prepares students for transfer to complete work for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, economic crime investigation, homeland security or related fields. Proper selection of curriculum electives enables students to further study other academic disciplines, such as political science, sociology or public administration. This program is also appropriate for students considering law school.

Course CodeCourseCredits
CJ 102Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJ 114Corrections: Institutional and Community 3
CJ 211Substantive Criminal Law 3
CJ ELECriminal Justice Electives 6
EN 101Composition 3
EN 102Composition and Literature 3
HU ELEHumanities Electives 6
MA ELEMathematics Elective 3
SC ELELab Science Elective 3
PS ELEPolitical Science Elective 3
PY 101General Psychology 3
SO 101Introduction to Sociology 3
SO 207Criminology 3
Liberal Arts Credits:45
CE 101College Experience 1
CJ 115American Policing 3
GN ELEGeneral Electives 12
Program Credits:16
Minimum Credits:61
Credits: 62 | Time to Completion: 2 years

Curriculum Code: 0640 I Liberal Arts Credits: 21 I Program Credits: 41

This curriculum prepares students for positions with federal, state, county, and local law enforcement organizations including positions with private and public security agencies. The courses offered fulfill the educational needs of students to aid them in becoming efficient and knowledgeable criminal justice and security personnel.

Course CodeCourseCredits
EN 101Composition 3
EN 105Technical Writing 3
HU ELEHumanities Elective 3
MA ELEMathematics Elective 3
SC ELEScience Elective 3
PS ELEPolitical Science Elective 3
PY 101General Psychology 3
Liberal Arts Credits:21
CE 101College Experience 11
CJ 102Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJ 114Corrections: Institutional and Community 3
CJ 115American Policing 3
CJ 204Criminal Investigation 3
CJ 211Substantive Criminal Law 3
CJ 212Procedural Criminal Law 3
CJ 251Criminal Justice Prof. Dev. 3
CJ ELECriminal Justice Elective 3
CI ELE
CS ELE
Computer Information Elective OR
Computer Science Elective
3
GN ELEGeneral Electives 6
PE 118Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement 11
SO 101Introduction to Sociology 3
SO 207
SO 209
Criminology OR
Juvenile Delinquency
3
Program Credits:41
Minimum Credits:62