B.A. in Criminal Justice Studies
Criminal Justice Studies is the study of the criminal justice system: the perpetrators, agencies and actors involved in the processing and definition of crime, and the social, political and economic phenomena impacting each. The Criminal Justice Studies major provides a broad interdisciplinary, liberal arts orientation with course requirements in Philosophy, Politics and Sociology and the opportunity for students to elect to study course in Anthropology, Chemistry and Psychology.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- understand basic sociological concepts and theories and their relationship to the institutions of criminal justice.
- demonstrate knowledge of theories of crime.
- express themselves in a clear and coherent manner and be able to discuss, in written and oral form, issues related to criminal justice.
- demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural nature of society and the implications of societal diversity for the criminal justice system.
"The faculty at SUNY Potsdam has experience working and conducting original research in the criminal justice system. I benefited from opportunities to gain real-world experience working with incarcerated people in the county jail, and I feel well prepared to compete for great jobs in a criminal justice agency after I graduate."
Janay Smith '19
Criminal Justice major
Foundation for Her Future
A few hours after receiving her degree in criminal justice—and leveraging the experience of an internship in the probation department at the Oswego County Public Safety Center—Emma Hyde ’24 began a promising job as a park ranger at Selkirk Shores State Park. Now she is looking ahead to a career as a probation officer, a goal that will come to fruition after she completes her advanced degree in mental health counseling.
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‘A Transformative Journey’
Layers of experiences have continued to shape and mold Ayisha Khalid’s academic path at SUNY Potsdam. As she pursues a degree in interdisciplinary studies focused on criminal justice and political science, Khalid ’24 has been examining the inner workings of the criminal justice system, exploring socio-political activities around the globe, and using photography as a tool to tell important stories in the community.
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An Opportunity to Serve
SUNY Potsdam’s Law Enforcement Training Institute is busy training the largest cohort in its history and catching attention from afar. In early November, a representative from the U.S. Capitol Police made the trip north to get eyes on the academy in action, and let its leadership know that Potsdam is top of mind when the agency goes afield in search of promising candidates to fill roles in Washington, D.C.
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Raising Awareness
Chris Chandler ’13 has dedicated years to stopping human trafficking in the North Country before it gets started. Born in Pennsylvania, Chandler wanted a college experience away from home, and the road led to Potsdam. After graduation, he remained in the North Country and landed a job as a human trafficking liaison and senior caseworker with St. Lawrence County Safe Harbour, working at the grassroots to raise awareness of risks of human trafficking, and ensure that warning signs are properly addressed.
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A Calling to Give Back
Jason Sanchez ’23 was raised by strong women. His mother, who has held jobs as an EMT and teacher, and his grandmother, who spent her career working in law enforcement, both have had a significant impact on his academic path at SUNY Potsdam within the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.
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Driven to Excellence
At just twenty years old, Victoria Sekyere ’23 has already published a book, started a non-profit organization, and is in the process of applying to law school as she wraps up her degree in criminal justice with a minor in pre-law at SUNY Potsdam.
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