Program Overview:
The major in Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law at The College of Saint Rose focuses on the scientific study of the criminal justice system, crime, criminal behavior and criminal law. It is guided by the principles of mastery of information, the application of that knowledge to both employment and/or continued education and the appreciation of social values and ethics. A fundamental understanding that informs the major is that the criminal justice system is a part of the larger society and, as such, it must be examined within a socio-economic context. This program offers a strong background in theory and research that will provide students with essential thinking and technical skills regardless of their plans after college. In keeping with the College’s balanced approach to education, all majors are required to complete two seminar courses that will assist them in addressing ethical and value issues that will impact their lives, and integrate both the knowledge and skills acquired through the major. The major is grounded in a liberal arts approach to the study of criminal justice, behavior and law, but will give attention to the practical realities of how the criminal justice system actually operates and how students can best apply their knowledge and skills in pursuit of their individual interests. Course work will focus on the social context in which the criminal justice system operates the nature of crime and criminality, law and the organizational components of the criminal justice structure.
Program Contacts:
To email Department Chair,
Stephanie Bennett, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Program Webpage:
Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law (57 Credits)
Core Courses (26 credits)
Sociological Focus (9 credits)
Choose 3 SOC Courses (Excluding SOC 111 and SOC/CJS 231, 9 credits, 3 credits must be at the 300 level)
Note: SOC 111 is a prerequisite for all 300-level Sociology courses.
Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law electives (18 credits)
Choose 6 Courses (18 credits, 9 credits must be at the 300/400 level):
Choose one Advanced Theory (4 credits)
School of Mathematics & Sciences Research Honors Concentration
In order to promote undergraduate research within The College of Saint Rose, the School of Mathematics & Sciences has created a research honors concentration program.
The School recognizes that what constitutes research may vary considerably across disciplines. The descriptions listed below represent the accepted definitions of research within the School of Mathematics & Sciences for individual departments currently offering research honors:
- Empirical examination of one or more hypotheses using research protocols and experimental designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Physical and Biological Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology)
- Robust exploratory examination of an advanced Computer Science topic (e.g. programming, design, analysis, simulation) following a traditional research trajectory and/or requiring implementation of a large-scale programming project. (Computer Science)
- In depth critical or theoretical examination of the literature on an unresolved issue in the field. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
- Qualitative examination using research protocols and designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
- Qualitative or deconstructive research that challenges a discipline’s orthodoxy or grand narrative. (Social Work)
Procedural Details:
- Students interested in pursuing research honors and who have achieved at least a B average at Saint Rose, must file an “Intent to Pursue Research Honors Concentration” document with the Dean of Mathematics & Sciences, accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member within the major, and sign up for Research Honors Concentration Candidacy in Mathematics & Sciences for their major at the academic advising office. This concentration will appear on their academic progress report and academic transcript as “Research Honors in Mathematics and Sciences – Department of Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law.”
- Students must select a primary research advisor within their major who agrees to oversee the student’s progress toward Research Honors.
- Students must complete the research requirements for honors established for their major as indicated in the course catalog, and maintain an average of B or higher in these traditionally graded courses.
- At the time of graduation, students must have a minimum overall average of B and must meet or exceed the minimum GPA for research honors within their major as established by their department.
- At the conclusion of the research honors requirements, students will submit a thesis in a format appropriate for a scholarly journal within their discipline. Copies of the final thesis will be kept on file in the School of Mathematics & Sciences and in the Neil Hellman Library.
Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law
In addition to the general requirements for the research honors concentration described above, students pursuing research honors in Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law must have: a grade of B or higher in CJS 230, CJS 231, SOC 288, SOC 351; a 3.5 GPA in the major and 3.2 overall GPA for entry into the program. Once admitted, the student must maintain a 3.2 overall GPA.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Field experiences and internships, both in the public and private sector, are available and encouraged. Students must earn a C or better in all courses used to satisfy requirements for the major. Further, it is encouraged for the student to declare the criminal justice, behavior, and law major early in order to pursue internship opportunities. Once a student has declared a major in Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, all courses required for the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose.
Internships at the College of Saint Rose are strongly encouraged. Not only do internships assist the student to determine their career goals, it also serves other purposes:
- They provide the students with the opportunity to get a “foot in the door” at an agency they wish to be employed
- They provide the agency with the opportunity to observe and review the skills, strengths and weaknesses of interns before deciding whether or not to hire them.
- They give interns the opportunity to gain valuable hands on experience.
- Achieve firsthand knowledge of an agency
- Meet people working in the field
- Make a good impression on future supervisors
Since the College of Saint Rose is located in New York’s Capital, the Criminal Justice Students has many opportunities for internships of their choice. The intern will be expected to work 12 hours per week in the semester, maintain a weekly log of his or her experiences, and a 10 page research paper to be written related to the internship.
Professional Accreditation
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter a variety of career opportunities in the field of criminal justice or pursue graduate or professional education.
Minor(s):
Complete minors listing
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
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