Program Overview:
The field of Criminal Justice is a very broad field that includes the operational agencies that administer the American criminal justice system, the academic and private research centers that study criminal justice issues and evaluates programs and policies, the governmental institutions that develop criminal justice policy, the private sector that augments governmental criminal justice operations, and a host of academic disciplines that contribute to the knowledge and support services of the criminal justice system.
The Criminal Justice Major at Saint Rose engages highly motivated undergraduate students in a rigorous interdisciplinary educational experience. The program's goals are to develop a student's ability to think critically, to communicate effectively by learning how to critically read, write, and present information orally, to understand the scientific method and its application in both the academic and operational worlds, and to learn problem solving approaches in order to prepare students upon graduation for criminal justice careers in both the public and private sector or placement in criminal justice, related graduate or professional programs of study.
Students must earn a C- or better in all courses used to satisfy requirements for the major. Students may not take courses required for the major on a pass/fail basis; exceptions are noted below. Once having declared the Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law major, students must satisfy all remaining courses applicable to the major at The College of Saint Rose.
Students may apply a maximum of 6 credits of CJS 494 Internship, 3 credits of CJS 493 Cold Case, and 4 credits of CJS 481 Mock Trial to their CJS major. Credits accrued beyond these limits will be counted as general elective credits.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Robert Flint
Chair, Department of Criminal Justice, Behavior, & Law
Email: flintr@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law (44 Credits)
Core Courses (17 credits)
Ethical Judgement and Dilemmas (3 credits)
Diversity (3 credits)
Choose one of the following:
| CJS 319 | The Law of Policing | 3 |
| CJS 321 | Prosecution & Defense of the Accused | 3 |
| CJS 429 | Advanced Criminal Behavior | 3 |
| FPY 450 | Prejudice & Discrim in Legal Sys | 3 |
Concentration (21 credits)
Students must select one of the following concentrations.
Special Topics courses (CJS 280 and CJS 380) will require Department Chair approval to be allocated to a specific concentration.
Generalist Concentration
Students must choose 21 credits (15 credits must be at the 300/400 level) from any of the courses listed in the other concentrations.
Law and Justice Studies Concentration
This concentration is designed for students with interests in careers such as law and lawyering. It is recommended that students interested in law/lawyering combine this concentration with the Legal Studies minor.
Students must choose 21 credits (15 credits must be at the 300/400 level).
Students may apply up to 4 credits of CJS 481 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Students may apply up to 6 credits of CJS 494 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Concentration
This concentration is designed for students with interests in law enforcement and homeland security as it relates to criminal justice issues such as terrorism/counter terrorism, trafficking, drugs, gangs, immigration, refugees, climate change, and national disasters (including policing, FBI, DHS, CIA, and corporate and private security).
Students must choose 21 credits (15 credits must be at the 300/400 level).
Students may apply up to 4 credits of CJS 481 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Students may apply up to 3 credits of CJS 493 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Students may apply up to 6 credits of CJS 494 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
It is recommended that students interested in corporate or private security also take BUS 111, BUS 210, and BUS 246.
Criminal Behavior Concentration
This concentration is for students who are interested in how and why individuals/groups engage in deviance, crime, and violence, understanding how the criminal event involves the offender and many other contributing factors. Students who complete this concentration will be prepared to pursue graduate work or other advanced certification in criminology or criminal justice.
Required Courses:
| CJS 429 | Advanced Criminal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 299 | Research Methods/Statistics II | 4 |
Elective Courses:
Students must choose 14 credits (9 credits must be at the 300/400 level).
Students may apply up to 3 credits of CJS 493 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Students may apply up to 6 credits of CJS 494 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Victim Advocacy Concentration:
This concentration emphasizes the role of the victim within the Criminal Justice system and how professionals can help the victim navigate their role. Students develop an understanding of the impact of victimization, the relationship between victimization and future offending, and how professionals can and should advocate on behalf of the victim. Students who successfully complete this concentration will be prepared for hire for most entry level victim advocacy roles at the county, state, or non-profit agency level.
Students must take these two courses to fulfill the Social Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry Core requirement (C8) as part of the concentration:
PSY 111 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC 111 Introduction to Sociology
Students may apply up to 6 credits of CJS 494 toward their major requirements. Additional credits may be applied as general education credit.
Elective Courses:
Select 13 credits.
Required Courses:
| PSY 250 | Developmental Psych: Childhood | 3 |
| | or | |
| PSY 252 | Devel Psy:Adoles & Emerg Adult | 3 |
| | or | |
| PSY 254 | Devel Psy: Adulthood & Aging | 3 |
| SWK 212 | Societies/Social Welfare | 2 |
| SWK 213 | Soc Chg & Soc Ser | 3 |
For those interested in honors-level undergraduate research, please refer to the Honors Research section.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Field experiences and internships, both in the public and private sector, are available and encouraged. Since the College of Saint Rose is located in New York's Capital, the criminal justice student has many opportunities for internships of their choice.
Students have an overall GPA of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 or better in order to be eligible for internship opportunities.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Course:
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Fall of Year 1:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
ENG 105
|
Expository Writing, Speaking, & Research Techniques (C1)
|
4
|
|
PHI, RLS
|
Philosophical and Religious Traditions (C4)
|
3
|
|
CJS 110
|
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
3
|
|
CJS 111
|
Criminal Behavior
|
3
|
|
ECO, POS, PSY, or SOC
|
Social Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry (C8, 3 of 6 credits)
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
16
|
Winter Immersion of Year 1: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Spring of Year 1:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
ARA, CHN, FRE, GRK, ITA, POR, RUS, SLG, or SPA
|
Study of World Languages and Cultures (C3)
|
3
|
|
ENG
|
Literary Studies (C2)
|
4
|
| CJS Concentration |
CJS Concentration course (3 of 21 credits) |
3 |
|
CJS 112
|
The Court Systems
|
3
|
|
ECO, POS, PSY, or SOC
|
Social Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry (C8, 3 of 6 Credits)
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
16
|
Summer of Year 1: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Fall of Year 2:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
MAT
|
Mathematical Reasoning (C6)
|
3
|
|
PSY 295
|
Research Methods & Statistics 1
|
4
|
|
CJS 310
|
Ethics
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
16
|
Winter Immersion of Year 2: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Spring of Year 2:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
BIO, CHM, ESC or PHY
|
Scientific Knowledge and Inquiry with a lab (C5)
|
4
|
|
CJS Concentration
|
CJS Concentration course (3 of 21 credits)
|
3
|
|
CJS 319, 321, 429 or FPY 450
|
CJS Diversity course
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
13
|
Summer of Year 2: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Fall of Year 3:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
CSC
|
Computational Logic and Reasoning (C7)
|
3
|
|
HIS
|
Historical Knowledge and Perspective (C9)
|
3
|
|
CJS Concentration
|
CJS Concentration (3 of 21 credits)
|
3
|
|
CJS Concentration
|
CJS Concentration (3 of 21 credits)
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
15
|
Winter Immersion of Year 3: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Spring of Year 3:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
CJS 399
|
Career Preparation Seminar
|
2
|
|
CJS Concentration
|
CJS Concentration (3 of 21 credits)
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
14
|
Summer of Year 3: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Fall of Year 4:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
CJS 498
|
Senior Seminar
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
15
|
Winter Immersion of Year 4: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Spring of Year 4:
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
CJS Concentration
|
CJS Concentration (3 of 21 credits)
|
3
|
|
CJS Concentration
|
CJS Concentration (3 of 21 credits)
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
Any Extra CJS, Lib Ed, or Gen Ed
|
Open Elective – May be used for minor or second major
|
3
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
15
|
Summer of Year 4: OPTIONAL
|
Course Prefix/Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Degree Option: Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law BS + Business Administration MBA:
Students in the B.S. Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law/MBA accelerated course of study are required to take the following undergraduate business courses. These courses provide a strong foundation in business, making it easier for the student to transition to graduate level business courses.
While not required, we encourage students to take the following undergraduate business courses as part of their undergraduate coursework.
Students in this accelerated course of study will use the following course substitutions to complete the undergraduate and graduate degrees at an accelerated pace.
|
Course Substitutions
|
|
Undergraduate Course
|
Graduate Course
|
|
General Elective
|
ACC 522
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA 516
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA 517
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA 555
|
|
General Elective
|
MBA Elective
|
Requirements for the Master of Business Administration can be found in the current Graduate Catalog.
General Information on Accelerated Degree Options (Bachelor's + Master's):
Eligibility Standards:
High School Students:
- Minimum high school GPA of 92
- Combined SAT of 1100 (out of 1600) OR ACT of 24
- Letter of recommendation specifically for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program from a high school teacher or counselor
Transfer Students:
- 45 credits completed
- GPA of 3.4 overall or at least a 3.4 GPA in the last 30 credits
- A grade of B or higher in financial accounting
- A grade of B or higher in managerial accounting
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member from either Saint Rose or the institution from which the student transferred
Current Saint Rose Students:
- 45 credits completed
- Overall GPA of 3.4
- A grade of B or higher in financial accounting
- A grade of B or higher in managerial accounting
- Letter of recommendation from a Saint Rose faculty member
Maintaining Status in Accelerated Programs:
- Overall GPA of 3.4 at the completion of 45 credits
- Overall GPA of 3.0 from the completion of 45 credits to completion of the undergraduate degree
- A grade of B or higher in financial accounting
- A grade of B or higher in managerial accounting
- Students can receive no more than one C in a graduate level course. An earned C must be retaken at the graduate level unless otherwise specified by the program.
- Students cannot receive a failing grade in a graduate level course.
Losing Eligibility for an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option:
Students who do not maintain the standards outlined for their Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option will lose eligibility for this completion option. If these students are in otherwise good standing with the College, they can continue in their current undergraduate program or move to another undergraduate major. We propose that up to a maximum of 12 graduate credits taken up to that point and completed with a grade of C or higher may be applied to their undergraduate degree. These credits might be applied as either general elective credits or to fulfill a requirement within the undergraduate major, depending on the undergraduate major’s grade requirements. Major grade restrictions would still apply. The student would take the undergraduate courses specified in the course catalog to fulfill all remaining requirements.
Discontinuing an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Options:
Students in good standing may choose to discontinue an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option or withdraw from a dual degree program. These students may then move to another program offered by the college. Up to a maximum of 12 graduate credits taken up to that point and completed with a grade of C or higher would be applied to their undergraduate degree. The student would take the undergraduate courses specified in the course catalog to fulfill all remaining requirements.
Opportunity to apply graduate credits to a future master’s degree at Saint Rose if no longer enrolled in Accelerated Program:
Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option may apply to a Saint Rose Master’s Degree program after completion of the Bachelor’s Degree. If accepted to a Saint Rose master’s degree program these students may transfer up to 12 graduate credits earned as part of their Saint Rose Bachelor’s Degree. Specific courses must be approved for transfer by the faculty advisor, and Department Chair/Program Coordinator. Transfer credit is allowed only for courses in which students have received a grade of “B” or better and within the six-year time limit allowed for completion of the Master’s Degree or Certificate of Advanced Study. No more than half of a Certificate of Advanced Study or Master’s Degree can be fulfilled with credits that had been applied to a Saint Rose Bachelor’s Degree.
Reinstatement in Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Options:
Students in good academic standing with the college but previously declared ineligible from their Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option can apply for reinstatement to the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Option after retaking undergraduate courses that resulted in their change of eligibility and/or after earning an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who earned any graduate grade lower than a C or more than one C at the graduate level may not reapply for reinstatement into the Accelerated degree option.
Advising:
Students in this Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Course of Study will have two advisors while they are undergraduates. A faculty member from the student’s undergraduate discipline will serve as the primary advisor while the student is an undergraduate. A faculty member from the graduate program will serve as a secondary advisor. After completing the Bachelor’s Degree the advisor from the graduate program will serve as the student’s sole advisor.
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.
Find Out More:
Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid: https://www.strose.edu/admissions/