Criminal Justice (A.A.S.)

Study criminal justice at JCC

With the Criminal Justice A.A.S. degree at Jamestown Community College, you can pursue careers immediately after graduation in criminal justice professions such as law enforcement on the local and state level, corrections, and private sector investigative and public safety occupations. You can take the civil service test, apply for a private security position, or apply to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Academy.

Law enforcement careers include patrol officer, sheriff's deputy, investigator, dispatcher, federal agent, crime scene investigator, and forensic scientist. Courts careers include prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, bailiff, court clerk, court reporter, and victim advocate. Corrections careers include corrections officer, probation officer, parole officer, warden, and case worker.

At JCC you’ll apply your criminal justice knowledge and critical thinking skills to real-life scenarios, such as evidence collection and data processing in criminal case preparation. You’ll study how criminal justice is impacted by ethical issues like race, ethnicity, social class, and gender. Criminal Justice faculty use their real-life work experience in criminal justice careers to support you with advisement in career options, networking, and community service.

2023 median pay for protective service occupations: $47,760/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Criminal justice skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of concepts/ principles associated with the criminal justice process and use them correctly in criminal justice based scenarios.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the workings of the criminal justice system by applying definitions, concepts, and principles to law enforcement and the courts.
  • Apply critical thinking to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize the appropriate procedures for the collection of evidence and data in criminal case preparation for law enforcement agencies.
  • Develop, organize, and write an objective report that meets the legal and detailed requirements of law enforcement agencies.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1320: Intro to Law Enforcement or

CRI 1520: Intro to Corrections

3

CRI 1510: Intro to Criminal Justice

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1510: Health Science

3
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
JCC
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Engage with the Learning Center early on for math and English tutoring.
  • It’s important for the student to understand the SUNY Gen Ed and JCC requirements for the degree program.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1420: Report Writing in Criminal Justice

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

CRI 2370: Criminal Investigations

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Mathematics Elective

Recommended:

MAT 1500: Problem Solving

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology or

HIS 1510: World History before 1500 or

HIS 1520: World History since 1500 or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
  • World History and Global Awareness
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication
  • Visit the Success Center to prepare a resume and discuss internship opportunities.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1560: Homeland Security or

CRI 1600: Intro to Intelligence Studies or

CRI 2510: Police Community Relations or

CRI 2520: Police Administration or

CRI 2540: Criminalistics or

CRI 2650: Juvenile Justice System or

CRI 2570: Organized Crime or

CRI 2580: Intro to Terrorism or

CRI 2610: White Collar Crime

3

CRI 2330: Criminal Procedural Law or

CRI 2530: Criminal Law

3

CRI 2550: Ethics in Criminal Justice

3

Elective

Recommended:

CMM 1610: Public Speaking

3
SUNY
  • Arts
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Elective

3

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1290: Physical Fitness for Criminal Justice

2

CRI 1560: Homeland Security or

CRI 1600: Intro to Intelligence Studies or

CRI 2510: Police Community Relations or

CRI 2520: Police Administration or

CRI 2540: Criminalistics or

CRI 2650: Juvenile Justice System or

CRI 2570: Organized Crime or

CRI 2580: Intro to Terrorism or

CRI 2610: White Collar Crime

3

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior or

SOC 2560: Criminology or

SOC 2580: Race and Ethnicity or

PSY 2580: Forensic Psychology

3

Elective

Recommended:

ASL 1510: Introductory Sign Language I or

SPA 1510: Introductory Spanish I

3
SUNY
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Elective

2-3
  • Apply for graduation.
  • Students should consider criminal justice one-credit options for open electives.
  • Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.
  • Use Career Services resources to begin job search.