Criminal Justice (A.S.)

Study criminal justice at JCC

A degree in Criminal Justice from Jamestown Community College prepares you for careers in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections through classroom work and field experience. 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.

JCC’s program is highly recognized, and many local officials in law enforcement earned their degree from JCC. You can focus your studies in law enforcement and investigations, where you learn theories and practices of organization management and criminal justice in relation to public law enforcement agencies and operations. You can also study homeland security, where you’ll learn about security policy, planning, and operations dedicated to the protection of U.S. territory, assets, infrastructure, institutions, and citizens from external threats.

The A.S. degree prepares you for transfer to continue coursework in criminal justice and pursue careers in local, county, state, tribal, and federal agencies, as well as non-government organizations. You can also apply to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Academy, which offers you opportunities in sheriff and police departments and agencies.

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 an understanding of the broad components (duties and responsibilities) of the criminal justice system, i.e. the police, courts, and corrections.
  • Analyze the interactions of police, courts, and corrections within the criminal justice system.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of criminal justice concepts and issues.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the criminal justice process.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1510: Intro to Criminal Justice

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Elective

3

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology

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

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1510: Health Science

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

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Engage with Learning Center early on for math and English tutoring.
  • If interested in taking SOC 2560: Criminology, enroll in SOC 1510.
  • Criminal justice courses of interest to student’s career pathway must be discussed with faculty advisor.
  • It’s important to understand the SUNY Gen Ed and JCC requirements for the degree program.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CRI 1320: Intro to Law Enforcement or

CRI 1520: Intro to Corrections or

CRI 2530: Criminal Law

3

Program Core Elective

Choose CRI electives pursuant to concentration area

3

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication

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

HIS 1530: US History before 1865 or

HIS 1540: US History after 1865 or

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
  • World History and Global Awareness
JCC
  • Global Perspectives
  • *Requirements Met depends on course choice.
  • Criminal justice courses of interest to student’s career pathway must be discussed with faculty advisor.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CRI 1320: Intro to Law Enforcement or

CRI 1520: Intro to Corrections or

CRI 2530: Criminal Law or

SOC 2560: Criminology

3

Program Core Elective

Choose CRI electives pursuant to concentration area

3

Elective

Recommended:

SOC 2540: Deviant Behavior or

SOC 2580: Race and Ethnicity or

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior or

PSY 2580: Forensic Psychology

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences

Elective

Recommended:

CMM 1610: Public Speaking

3
SUNY
  • Arts

Elective

3
  • Work with advisor or Success Center about transfer options.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

Program Core Elective

Choose CRI electives pursuant to concentration area

3

CRI 2550: Ethics in Criminal Justice

3

Elective*

Recommended:

ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology or

HIS 1510: World History before 1500 or

HIS 1520: World History since 1500 or

HIS 1530: US History before 1865 or

HIS 1540: US History after 1865 or

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diverse Perspectives

Elective

Recommended:

ASL 1510: Introductory Sign Language I or

SPA 1510: Introductory Spanish I

3
SUNY
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Elective

1
  • *Requirements Met depends on course choice.
  • Apply for graduation.
  • Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.