The Instructional Program

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree program in Criminal Justice Studies retains the focus that SUNY Delhi has on delivering both career-oriented and transfer options to students. The program is intended primarily for those who wish to continue their studies in a baccalaureate program. Through an interdisciplinary approach to the problems of crime and society, the program prepares students to pursue further study in criminal justice or related disciplines, and educates students to become effective problem-solvers as professionals in the field of criminal justice. Students may enroll in the program with the intention of transferring to a senior college where criminal justice, criminology, sociology, public administration, or political science majors can be pursued. To this end, SUNY Delhi has articulation agreements with SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College.

The program of study consists of an overview of the criminal justice system, and an examination of the basic components of the system. The program also prepares graduates for entry-level employment positions in the criminal justice field, courts, and corrections. For students who plan to enter the field upon attaining the A.A. degree, the internship option is recommended to give an inside view of the operations of the justice system.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

• be a high school graduate with a minimum 75% overall average or a minimum 2500 GED test score
• have 73% or higher on the Algebra and English Regents exams

CURRICULUM

SUNY Curriculum Code:  1855

SUNY General Education Requirements: Students who intend to receive A.A., A.S., or baccalaureate degrees must satisfy SUNY and campus General Education (GE) requirements to graduate. Students should be aware that GE requirements may vary by academic program. Consult with your academic advisor. For general information, see the "General Education" section of this catalog.

A.A.S. and A.O.S. degree students may not be required to fulfill General Education (GE) requirements; however, any student who may wish to transfer should complete as many GE courses as possible. Consult with your academic advisor.

Academic Requirements:

Minimum Total Credit Hours = 62

Major Courses Required - 18 credit hours

General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required - 29-31 credit hours

Restricted Electives by Advisement² - 9 credit hours

Unrestricted Electives byAdvisement³

Notes

¹ English is by placement according to competency.

² Three credits must be taken in each of these General Education (GE) groups:  GE 5, GE 6, and GE 8.

³ The number of Unrestricted Elective credit hours will vary depending on the number of credits earned in other areas.  A student must work closely with their academic advisor to determine the number of Unrestricted Electives needed for graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Criminal Justice Studies A.A. program should be able to:

1. Discuss in detail the fundamental institutions of the U.S. criminal and civil justice system (e.g., basics of the law and legal procedure, law enforcement agencies, the courts, and the penal system).
2. Understand, use, and critically evaluate social statistics relevant to criminal behavior and the criminal justice system.
3. Demonstrate proficiency with modern information and database technologies used in the legal and penal system.
4. Comprehend the methods used by various social sciences and related disciplines to understand criminal conduct.
5. Formulate policies to address criminal behavior through the various institutions of the legal, penal, and corrections systems.
6. Assess and critically evaluate the ethics and efficiency of various legal structures and public policies within the justice system.
7. Understand the importance of implementation and administration to policy success.
8. Demonstrate a solid foundation of liberal arts knowledge.