Criminal Justice
This program is designed to give you a specific certification that can be immediately applied to your career.
What You'll Learn
Train in investigation, policy, and public safety for a purpose-driven career.
You’ll develop a strong foundation in the legal system, criminal behavior, and community relations. Courses focus on policing, corrections, and investigative techniques while strengthening your communication and decision-making skills. Designed for quick entry into the workforce or advancement within the field, this certificate prepares you for roles in security, loss prevention, or law enforcement support—and serves as a first step toward an associate degree in criminal justice.
Earn the credits you need to hit the 60-hour requirement to become a New York State police officer.
Where You’ll Go
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
Transit and Railroad Police
- Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.
- Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
- Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.
- Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Salary information presented are estimates and can be different for each individual based on education, experience, and the specific employer. Labor market data is based on 2021 estimates derived from Lightcast (Career Coach | Lightcast)
The careers listed above are just a starting point. Our programs mix together important concepts and hands-on skills—but that doesn’t mean your future has to follow the same script. Find out more at Career Exploration & Support.
Program Requirements
To graduate [ 30 credits + 2.0 GPA or higher ]
Additional Notes:
- Note: While ENGL 100 is not a required course for the Certificate, it is a prerequisite for ENGL 101 and other program courses.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL098 | Accelerated Writing Skills for ENGL 100 | 3 | |
| ENGL100 | Academic Writing I | 3 | |
| RDNG116 | College Reading and Study Skills | 3 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRJU104 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 | |
| CRJU105 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| ENGL101 | Academic Writing II | 3 | |
| or ENGL101H | Academic Writing II-Honors | 3 | |
| PSYC103 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| or PSYC103H | Introduction to Psychology-Honors | 3 | |
| SOCI101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| or SOCI101H | Introduction to Sociology-Honors | 3 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRJU110 | Introduction to Policing | 3 | |
| CRJU215 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 | |
| ENGL102 | Approaches to Literature | 3 | |
| or ENGL102H | Approaches to Literature-Honors | 3 | |
| POSC103 | American National Government | 3 | |
| or POSC104 | American State & Local Government | 3 | |
| HSTY ELEC | History Elective | 3 |
On this page
Take on as much (or as little) as you want. Our microcredentials and certificates provide you with credits to apply to 2-year programs – when you’re ready!