If you’ve made the study of crime and social justice your career and want a competitive edge, or if you’re looking to break into the field, Keuka College’s B.S. in Criminal Justice Systems can help you meet your goals.
Our adult learning program understands that you may have family and job responsibilities, and so our accelerated format caters to your hectic schedule.
Through hard work and study, Keuka’s criminal justice program opens the doors for careers in law enforcement, public and private investigations, corrections, probation, education, law, juvenile services or intelligence.
From classes on crime solving to theories and practices surrounding punishment and corrections, you’ll enhance your understanding of the criminal justice system. When your two years comes to a close, you will have a broad knowledge of criminal justice issues, deeper analytical skills, a firm foundation in research to support investigations and an achievement that will last a lifetime.
Throughout your program, you’ll complete an Action Research Project (ARP) as the real-world capstone to your studies. You’ll receive the tools to observe a workplace issue and then develop a solution to put into practice. Our students tell us that the results of their ARP are often implemented in their workplace, which builds value to their employer and their career.
For more information about becoming a student, including admissions requirements, click here.
| Bryant and Stratton College | Syracuse |
| Cayuga Community College | Auburn |
| Corning Community College—Business Dev. Center | Corning |
| Finger Lakes Community College | Canandaigua |
| Genesee Community College—Batavia | Batavia |
| Jefferson Community College | Watertown |
| Mohawk Valley Community College | Utica |
| Monroe Community College—Damon City | Rochester |
| Onondaga Community College | Syracuse |
The B.S. in Criminal Justice curriculum consists of 18 courses and 54 credit hours. For planning purposes, classes meet one night each week for 4 hours, plus an additional 5-8 hours outside of class to complete readings, assignments, case studies, online discussions and group work.
CJS 301 - Current Issues in Criminal Justice
COM 320 - Business and Professional Writing
CJS 315 - Deviance and Social Control
CJS 303 - Criminology
CJS 305 - Criminal Law and Procedure
SOC 302 - Ethnic Diversity
POL 321 - Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Rights
CJS 307 - Current Issues in Law Enforcement
ENG 302 - Research and Writing for Professionals: Action Research Part 1
CJS 309 - The Judicial System
CJS 313 - Punishment and Corrections
CJS 317 - Juvenile Delinquency: Developments and Trends
CJS 321 - The Investigative Process
CJS 403 - White Collar Crime
PSY 336 - Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathology
PHL 302 - Ethics in Criminal Justice
INS 301 - Integrative Studies II
CJS 405 - Criminal Justice Action Research Project
CJS 301 Current Issues in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
Study of selected current issues in the field of criminal justice systems, within the context of the origins, histories, ideologies associated with law enforcement, judicial, and corrections components. Intended for adult learners with appropriate backgrounds in the criminal justice field.
COM 320 Business and Professional Writing (3 credits)
This course focuses on the study and practice of formal writing used by professionals in the fields of criminal justice, social services, business, health care and sciences. It includes business letters and resumes, formal reports, and a variety of other forms of writing used in the professional fields mentioned above.
CJS 315 Deviance and Social Control (3 credits)
Advanced study of what constitutes deviant behavior and the interaction between deviants and the agents of social control. Emphasis on relevant theories in contemporary criminological research. Intended for adult learners.
CJS 303 Criminology (3 credits)
Critical examination of theories and research findings in criminology; methods of control and treatment of crime; evaluation of theories and methods as they apply to selected types of crimes, with emphasis on needs and directions for future efforts.
ENG 302 Research and Writing for Professionals: Action Research Part 1 (3 credits)
Designed for adult learners making the transition back to the demands of college-level thinking, research, and writing at the upper-division level, the course will extend and refine the composition, analytical, thinking, and information literacy skills that students have acquired through prior college composition courses and direct work experience in the criminal justice system. Foundation course for CJS 405, Criminal Justice Action Research Project.
CJS 305 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)
Comparative study of the criminal law with emphasis in the United States Constitution, highlighting First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments; prosecution and defense in crimes against persons, property, and public order; application of the New York state penal law and definitions.
CJS 307 Current Issues in Law Enforcement (3 credits)
Scrutiny of current issues in law enforcement at local, state, and federal levels. Analysis of current styles of policing, and interactions among police, citizens, and the media. Identification and analysis of problem areas such as police corruption, use of excessive force and violation of citizen privacy rights. Intended for adult learners.
CJS 309 The Judicial System (3 credits)
Detailed study of the functioning of the American judicial system. Emphasis on the study of the influence of politics on the judiciary. Analysis of current issues before the courts. Intended for adult learners, utilizing adult learning theory.
CJS 313 Punishment and Corrections (3 credits)
Detailed analysis of philosophies, theories, and practices surrounding punishment and corrections. Critical examination of incarceration, probation, parole, and the issue of capital punishment. Intended for adult learners, utilizing adult learning theory.
POL 321 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Rights (3 credits)
A study of the Constitution of the United States and its relationship to the following: the judicial structure and process, political dimensions of judicial review, federation and separations of power; civil liberties, and civil rights in a democratic society.
CJS 317 Juvenile Delinquency: Developments and Trends (3 credits)
This course approaches juvenile delinquency as a unique kind of crime, different from ordinary adult crime in etiology, motive, prevention, justice system, and treatment. Emphasis on research findings and synthesis or theoretical perspectives in analysis and explanation of delinquency.
CJS 321 The Investigative Process (3 credits)
Scientific inquiry into the methods employed in successful crime solving. Emphasis on evidence gathering, criminalistics, case preparation and criminal profiling. Secondary emphasis on report writing skills. Intended for adult learners, utilizing adult learning theory.
CJS 403 White Collar Crime (3 credits)
Offenses committed by the more privileged members of society in the course of their occupation, including crimes such as embezzlement committed by individuals for personal gain, and crimes for corporate gain that violate business law committed as part of regular business practice.
PSY 336 Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathology (3 credits)
Disordered behavior, major syndromes, theories of etiology, approaches to treatment, and their relationship to criminal behavior.
SOC 302 Ethnic Diversity (3 credits)
Interrelations of various American minority groups to dominant or other minority groups including tension, conflicts, and accommodations as well as consequences of the subordinate-dominant groups and individuals.
PHL 302 Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
Foundations, presuppositions, and meaning of morality; major ethical theories and standards of conduct; applications of ethical theories and principles to the behavior of criminal justice practitioners, and identification and analysis of current ethical problems related to criminal justice. Intended for adult learners, utilizing the adult learning theory.
INS 301 Integrative Studies II (3 credits)
An upperclass course, taken after most other core requirements are completed, it provides students with guidance in their application of interdisciplinary knowledge to problem solving. Students are challenged to practice critical and creative thinking skills, and are expected to demonstrate competence in oral, written, and other creative modes of expression.
CJS 405 Criminal Justice Action Research Project (3 credits)
Design, implementation, and reporting of an original criminal justice research project. Application of research and communication skills to prepare, present, and defend relevant findings to a critical audience.
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