Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

No, Empire State University doesn’t offer an approved Associate’s degree for Criminal Justice. We suggest an Associate’s degree in either Community and Human Services, or General Studies, or Social Science. 

No. You cannot use a concentration for any degree that includes a title similar to “Criminal Justice.”  However, with degrees in Public Affairs, Community and Human Services, and Social Science you could design a concentration in many adjacent areas such as “Policing,” “Emergency Management,” “Terrorism and Homeland Security,” “Criminology,” etc. 

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree is a 120-credit program (beginning in Fall 2024) with ten core courses and two advanced electives. Each course is 4 credits.

Empire accepts up to 93 credits of advanced standing credits; including transcript credit, credit identified through Prior Learning Evaluations (PLE) and credit recommended through our iPLA process. Please note that, depending on the design of your degree program you might not be able to use all available credit. Additionally, you are required to complete at least 24 credits of advanced-level Criminal Justice courses while at Empire State. Any credits you intend to use towards the Criminal Justice program will be vetted by Criminal Justice faculty.  IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have plans to attend graduate school and/or apply for a position with the New York State Troopers or other agencies, the prior learning credit you can use for educational credit may be limited. It is up to you to review graduate school and/or agency requirements to see what their limits are.

If you have completed an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice at a school with whom we have a pathways agreement, some of your courses may have already been identified as fulfilling one or more of Empire State University’s B.S. in Criminal Justice degree requirements.  Please look here to see if your school has an established pathway with us. Other courses which you may have taken will be evaluated by our Criminal Justice faculty and Registrar to determine if any meet the Criminal Justice degree program requirements or other Empire State University requirements.

Yes, we recognize prior learning credit from agencies such as New York City Police Academy, the New York City Police Department, NYC Housing and/or Transit Police, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Municipal Officer Training Council, the NYC Department of Correction, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. If you have completed other similar trainings, or have obtained relevant certificates, licenses, or work experience, you might be able to use our Individual Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) process to translate that learning into college level credit. You will work with your mentor who will assist you with this process and determine if any of the program requirements might be satisfied by prior learning credit. Please note, however, that although you may have prior learning credit that can be translated into university credit, all of your credits may not fit into a degree plan. Consult with your mentor to determine what other credits you will need to satisfy the Criminal Justice program and university requirements.

While the B.S. in Criminal Justice requires 62 credits of liberal studies courses, a Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) degree only requires 32 liberal studies credits and thus might be a quicker path to your degree. Examples of possible degree pathways might be a B.P.S. in Public Affairs, or in Community and Human Services, with a concentration in Police Studies. For more information about the B.P.S. option, please consult with your mentor.

Yes, having a B.S. in Criminal Justice can be helpful in obtaining a job in law enforcement, but many agencies will accept degrees in other areas as well. It is important to note, however, that a degree is not the only determining factor. Law enforcement agencies typically look for candidates with a combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrate their ability to effectively perform the duties of a police officer. For example, in addition to a university degree, most law enforcement agencies require candidates to pass a rigorous selection process that includes physical and written exams, background checks, and interviews. Some agencies also require candidates to complete an academy training program. It's worth noting that specific requirements can vary from one law enforcement agency to another, so it's important to research the specific requirements for the agency or departments you're interested in working for. 

You should check with your agency’s human resources department to confirm the types of degrees that are accepted.

In many cases, yes, but you should discuss with your mentor any additional classes that might be helpful for applying to specific law enforcement agencies and/or graduate schools. For example, many graduate forensic science programs require that students complete undergraduate courses in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics – all of which are offered at Empire State University, and which can be added to your Criminal Justice degree program in consultation with your mentor. You might also consider a General Studies degree in “Forensics,” which would combine science, criminal justice, math, psychology, etc. Again, check with your mentor to see which option is best for you.

Yes, you can switch to the Criminal Justice program; however, your degree program would need to include the required and elective Criminal Justice courses (or equivalents) outlined in the program. Please consult with your mentor. 

No, the program in Criminal Justice at Empire State University is a Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Yes, if you are enrolled in Empire State University’s B.S. in Criminal Justice program, you must include the required and elective Criminal Justice courses listed (or equivalents).  In addition, you must complete all other degree requirements, e.g., SUNY General Education credits and sufficient advanced-level credits.

Any student can take Empire State University’s Criminal Justice courses, as long as the prerequisites (if any) are met.

No, Educational Planning is a not a requirement of the B.S. in Criminal Justice program; however, you can elect to enroll in Educational Planning classes provided there is room in your degree plan. 

Yes, students are required to meet the SUNY General Education requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some of the classes in the Criminal Justice degree program will satisfy general education requirements. You will work with your mentor to meet the requirements.

The courses are offered in our various modes of delivery, including independent study, online courses, study groups, or residencies. Please consult the Registration Term Guide for current listings of study options.