Criminal Justice
A.S. Degree, A.A.S. Degree, Certificate
Criminal Justice
In our complex, technological society, criminal justice practitioners deal with a variety of people, social problems, conflict situations, and incidents. Our A.S. and A.A.S. degrees provide courses in criminal justice, social sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and computer technology. An optional internship component affords students the opportunities for experiential learning in a number of criminal justice agencies.
Careers on Career Coach
Recent graduates have been employed with Cortland City Police and Sheriff’s departments, Ithaca City Police, New York State Police, Tompkins and Tioga County Sheriff’s departments and Tompkins Cortland Community College Campus Police.
Select a career below to connect to Career Coach and find information about that career including median salary and job postings.
Explore more career options: A.S. | A.A.S. | Criminal Justice Certificate
Program Chair
Scott Ochs
Professor, Criminal Justice
Scott has an extensive background in the criminal justice system including experience as an investigator with the NYC Department of Transportation Inspector’s General’s Office where several letters of commendation were awarded, as well as work as a Rockland County juvenile probation officer and program consultant with New York State Probation.
Transfer Options
Many graduates have continued their education at a four- year college or university. For specific transfer information, contact your academic advisor in the Criminal Justice program, the Criminal Justice Program Chair, and the Counseling, Career, and Transfer Services office.
Our graduates have transferred to institutions including:
- Alfred State
- Buffalo State College
- Cazenovia College
- Hilbert College
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Hartwick College
- Wells College
- University at Albany
- Binghamton University
- SUNY College at Brockport
- SUNY College at Cortland
- SUNY College at Oneonta
- SUNY College at Oswego
Highlighted Courses
Not all of the highlighted courses are required in each degree or certificate in this program area. Please be sure to check the degree requirements tab for details about the requirements for each degree or certificate.
Degree Requirements
Note: CRJU 105 is a pre-requisite for most 200-level CRJU courses.
Note: Students who intend to pursue the degree entirely online should consult with their advisor to plan for availability of online course sections.
Fall Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU 104 is only offered in the Fall semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr. CRJU 105 requires prior completion or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 100. A minimum grade of C is required in CRJU 105. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. A minimum grade of C is required in ENGL 100. A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a 3-credit Liberal Arts Elective. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. If a student must choose between PSYC 103 and SOCI 101 in the first semester, then SOCI 101 should be taken, as it is a pre-requisite for other program courses. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
Spring Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CAPS111, Introduction to Word Processing, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS121, Introduction to Spreadsheets, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS131, Introduction to Databases, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
MATH109, Statistical Literacy, 3 cr. MATH110, Topics in Mathematics, 3 cr. MATH120, College Algebra, 4 cr. MATH122, Technical Mathematics, 3 cr. MATH138, Precalculus Mathematics, 4 cr. MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr. MATH201, Calculus I, 4 cr. MATH202, Calculus II, 4 cr. MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr. MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr. MATH206, Differential Equations, 4 cr. MATH216, Discrete Mathematics, 4 cr. |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
Fall Term 2
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU205, Concepts of Criminal Law, 3 cr. CRJU 205 is only offered in the Fall semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI207, Introduction to Criminology, 3 cr. SOCI 207 is only offered in the Fall semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
Spring Term 2
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr. SOCI 206 is only offered in the Spring semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Choose, in consultation with advisor, from the following: CRJU 110, CRJU 210, CRJU 212, CRJU 215, CRJU 217, CRJU 230, POSC 213, or other CRJU Electives including those obtained through articulation agreements between TC3 and BOCES, or transferred from other accredited colleges. CRJU110, Introduction to Policing, 3 cr. CRJU210, Introduction to Criminal Investigation, 3 cr. CRJU212, Community Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU215, Legal Aspects of Evidence, 3 cr. CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr. CRJU230, Criminal Justice Internship, 3 cr. POSC213, Constitutional Law, 3 cr. |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
SUNY General Education Courses
Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses
Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.
Degree Requirements
Note: CRJU Electives: CRJU 104, CRJU 110, CRJU 212, CRJU 217, POSC 213, SOCI 206, or other CRJU Electives including those obtained through articulation agreements between TC3 and BOCES or transferred from other accredited institutions.
Fall Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr. CRJU 105 requires prior completion or concurrent enrollment in ENGL100. A minimum grade of C is required in CRJU 105. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. A minimum grade of C is required in ENGL 100. A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a 3-credit Liberal Arts Elective. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. If a student must choose between PSYC 103 or SOCI 101 in the first semester, priority should be given to SOCI 101, since it is a pre-requisite for other program courses. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
Spring Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
|
Select a minimum of 1 credit from the courses listed below:
CAPS 111/121/131 are strongly recommended to fulfill the CAPS Electives. CAPS@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
|
Select a minimum of 1 credit from the courses listed below:
CAPS 111/121/131 are strongly recommended to fulfill the CAPS Electives. CAPS@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
|
Select a minimum of 1 credit from the courses listed below:
CAPS 111/121/131 are strongly recommended to fulfill the CAPS Electives. CAPS@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU110, Introduction to Policing, 3 cr. CRJU212, Community Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr. POSC213, Constitutional Law, 3 cr. SOCI206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr. |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
MATH@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
Fall Term 2
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU205, Concepts of Criminal Law, 3 cr. CRJU 205 is only offered in the Fall semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CRJU210, Introduction to Criminal Investigation, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI207, Introduction to Criminology, 3 cr. SOCI 207 is only offered in the Fall semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
Spring Term 2
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU215, Legal Aspects of Evidence, 3 cr. CRJU 215 is only offered in the Spring semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU110, Introduction to Policing, 3 cr. CRJU212, Community Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr. POSC213, Constitutional Law, 3 cr. SOCI206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr. |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ASTR@ BIOL@ CHEM@ ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr. ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr. ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr. ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr. ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr. GEOL@ METR@ PHSC@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
SUNY General Education Courses
Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses
Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.
Degree Requirements
Certificate: Criminal Justice
Minimum Credits for Graduation:
30 credits
Note: While ENGL 100 is not a required course in the Criminal Justice Certificate program, it is a pre-requisite for ENGL 101 and other program courses.
Fall Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU 104 is only offered in the Fall semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr. A minimum grade of C is required in CRJU 105. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
Spring Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15
| CRJU110, Introduction to Policing, 3 cr. CRJU 110 is only offered in the Spring semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CRJU215, Legal Aspects of Evidence, 3 cr. CRJU 215 is only offered in the Spring semester. |
Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
|
|
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
HSTY@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
SUNY General Education Courses
Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses
Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.
Student Showcase
Grad of Note - Tamesha Ridgell
Why did you choose Tompkins Cortland Community College?
I chose TC3 because I heard that they had a great Criminal Justice Program. And I believed it would be a great place to start my college education.
Who at TC3 had the greatest impact in your experience?
Hands down Scott Ochs, chair of the Criminal Justice Program. All of classes over the last two years have changed my perspective on criminal justice. He is the reason I am where I am now. I could not thank him enough.
What were your extracurricular involvements at and how did the contribute to your college experience?
Throughout college I have always worked full time. I came from a lower-class family, so I have been financially independent since I was 17. I have had to work non-stop. With that said, I really did not have time for much extracurricular working 40 hours a week. Working has contributed to my college experience – it has caused me to procrastinate less and to work on my time management.
What are your next steps, and how did college prepare you for that?
I will be moving June 1st, to attend my dream school: The University at Albany. Going to TC3 and meeting Scott Ochs only made me work harder and to get better grades to ensure I have the career I want, and that I get to go to my dream school. TC3 allowed me to grow up, and mature before moving and attending a huge four-year university.
James Pastorello
Scott Ochs, Chair and Professor of Criminal Justice, recently caught up with an alumnus on duty. Pictured with professor Ochs is Officer James Pastorello of the Syracuse City Police Department. Officer Pastorello graduated from the Criminal Justice Program in 2015 and began employment as a Syracuse Police Officer in December 2016. We are proud of his success.