Law and Order. CSI. Prison Break. Television shows with legal and criminal themes only give a glimpse of what Criminal Justice is all about, but in the real world, crimes and mysteries are not resolved neatly in an hour.
The Criminal Justice program is based on advice and input from the area’s top law enforcement experts — police officers, judges, attorneys and corrections officials. As a result, it is the most comprehensive and current program offered in Western New York. With the need for qualified professionals to respond to the growing threats of terrorism, our students are prepared to enter the world of security and enforcement.
Criminal Justice students are taught by professionals currently working in the field. Through classroom and field experiences, students learn the underlying theories and principles of criminology, the elements of crimes, the details of the criminal justice system, and the roles of people within the legal system.
Strong emphasis is placed on helping students gain a practical, working knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure, two essential areas for those entering the Criminal Justice field. Criminal investigation is also taught through lecture and lab work, which introduces students to the nuances of collecting, preserving and analyzing evidence.
As a Criminal Justice major, you may find field experience opportunities in law enforcement agencies, public defenders’ offices, private security firms, and pretrial services. Employment projections show that Criminal Justice is an area of current growth and future need. Our graduates from the Criminal Justice program have gone into careers as:
police officers
parole agents
security officers
criminal justice researchers
border patrol agents
court officers
corrections officers
Faculty
The Criminal Justice program is part of the Social Sciences department, which includes faculty members who specialize in areas such as child and youth services, history, political science, psychology and sociology.
More about our faculty »
Featured Course
CRJ 201 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW: A comprehensive introduction to the substantive law of crimes. Topics include: constitutional limits on behavior control; elements of crimes; offenses against people, property, public morality; criminal responsibility and defenses.