Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

Associate in Science Degree

The goal of this program is to prepare students to be real-life problem solvers in the field of law enforcement. The program is designed to develop procedural competencies and broad-based knowledge in students who wish to pursue careers in Criminal Justice as well as for in-service personnel who seek career advancement in law enforcement. The Department offers a full-time day program and a part-time evening program. Students have the opportunity to interact with faculty who represent a wide spectrum of Criminal Justice experience, expertise and scholarly achievement including assistance to the National Institute of Justice and numerous state and local agencies, task forces and professional and learned societies.

We remain faithful to our tradition of providing students with a broad based educational experience by drawing from the deep reservoirs of knowledge of the arts and sciences. Our associate degree program provides students with the educational credentials necessary for many law enforcement careers, and graduates who wish to continue their education will find that the AS degree enables them to transfer to a wide variety of related upper division programs.

Typical Employment Opportunities

Federal Government
U.S. Armed Forces Police
State Government
Local Government
Business and Industry Security
Enforcement Agencies
County, City, Town, Village, Law
Insurance Claim Investigation

Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement (AS) Program Outcomes:

  • Graduates will have knowledge of the complexities involved in law enforcement and its administration.
  • Graduates will have an understanding of investigative procedures and evidence management in police operations and will be competent in the administration of chain of custody proceeds that emphasize the courts.
  • Graduates will have an understanding of sources of criminal activity and behavior.
  • Graduates will gain understanding of criminal law and procedure, and its relationship to crime prevention and detection. 
  • Graduates will have an appreciation and understanding of the necessity for personal integrity, professional ethics, and cultural awareness.

Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Contact Information

Center for Criminal Justice Studies


934-420-2692
criminaljustice@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Fall 2023

Subject to revision

Liberal Arts and Sciences (37 credits)
EGL 101 Comp I: College Writing (GE) 3
Humanities GE) 3
The Arts (GE) 3
MTH 110 Statistics (GE) 3
Natural Science and Scientific Reasoning with a lab (GE) 4
US History and Civic Engagement (GE) 3
World History and Global Awareness(GE) 3
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (GE) 3
PSY 315 Abnormal Psychology 3
SOC 122 Introduction to Sociology (GE) 3
One 200-level Sociology course from the list below: 3
SOC 225 Sociology of Marriage & Family (GE)
SOC 229 Race and Ethnic Relations (GE)
SOC 231 Promises & Challenges of Multiculturalism (GE)
Free Elective 3

Required: Criminal Justice (27 credits)
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 101 Law Enforcement/Comm Relations 3
CRJ 102 Juvenile Delinquency and Justice 3
SST 115 Computer Forensics 3
CRJ 200W Criminal Investigation 3
CRJ 203 Criminology 3
CRJ 204 Criminal Law 3
CRJ 205 Criminal Procedure Law 3
CRJ 211 Law Enforcement Administration 3
Total Credits: 64

Credits may be granted for successfully completed Municipal Police Training Council Basic or Intermediate Schools.

Curriculum Summary

Degree Type: AS
Total Required Credits: 64

EGL 101 Composition I: College Writing

This is the first part of a required sequence in college essay writing. Students learn to view writing as a process that involves generating ideas, formulating and developing a thesis, structuring paragraphs and essays, as well as revising and editing drafts. The focus is on the development of critical and analytical thinking. Students also learn the correct and ethical use of print and electronic sources. At least one research paper is required. A grade of C or higher is a graduation requirement. Note: Students passing a departmental diagnostic exam given on the first day of class will remain in EGL 101; all others will be placed in EGL 097. Prerequisite is any of the following: successful completion of EGL 097; an SAT essay score (taken prior to March 1, 2016) of 7 or higher; an SAT essay score (taken after March 1, 2016) of 5 or higher; on-campus placement testing.

MTH 110 Statistics

Basic concepts of probability and statistical inference. Included are the binominal, normal, and chi-square distributions. Practical applications are examined. Computer assignments using Minitab form an integral part of the course. Prerequisite(s): MP2 or MTH 015

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

This course is designed to present basic psychological concepts and to introduce students to the scientific study of behavior. Core topics include methods of psychological research, the biological bases of behavior, principles of learning, memory and cognition, personality, and psychopathology. Other selected topics to be covered would include the following: motivation and emotion, life-span development, social psychology, health psychology, sensation and perception, intelligence, human sexuality, statistics, and altered states of consciousness.

PSY 315 Abnormal Psychology

In this course the student will learn about concepts, theories, and issues in psychopathology (the study of mental illness and behavioral disorders). Topics may include historical background, mental health professionals, legal issues, normality/abnormality, etiology/assessment/ diagnosis/therapy, anxiety/stress/depression, personality disorders, sexual deviance, schizophrenia, neurological dysfunction, substance abuse, and psychophysiological disorders. The applications of psychology to personal problem solving will also be explored. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101

SOC 122 Introduction to Sociology

This is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with the field of sociology. In addition to learning about the central concepts and major theoretical sociological perspectives, students study human behavior in groups, the organization of social life, the impact of social institutions on individuals, and the process of sociological research. Great emphasis is also placed upon development of students’ “sociological imagination” – specifically, the ability to understand the ways that our individual lives are shaped by larger social forces and institutions. Note: Students cannot earn credit for SOC 122 and SOC 122W SOC 122W can be used to fulfill the writing intensive requirement.

SOC 225 Sociology of the Family

This course examines the family in the United States as a core social institution. We consider theoretical, historical, and cross-cultural aspects of such topics as mate selection, marital dynamics, the changing roles of men and women, parenting and child-rearing, divorce, aging, conflict and violence, alternative lifestyles and family policy. Prerequisite(s): SOC 122

SOC 229 Race and Ethnic Relations

This course provides a sociological perspective on race and ethnic relations. Such a perspective suggests that racial and ethnic categories are social constructs that result from historical struggles over economic resources, political access, and cultural identity. Furthermore such a perspective demonstrates that racism and ethnic prejudice are not simply the properties of individuals. This class will examine the intersection of racial and ethnic conflict with a variety of other ideas and structures in society in order to reveal the ways in which race continues to matter. Prerequisite(s): SOC 122 or ANT 100

SOC 231 Multiculturalism

This course explores the wide variety of cultures that currently exist in the United States. In addition to different racial and ethnic cultures, we also consider class cultures, religious cultures and LGBTQ cultures. Significant time is devoted to examining the values, norms and everyday life of different cultures as well as the ways that different cultures (and the people from those cultures) interact. Multicultural social policy issues and media representations of different cultures are also analyzed. Prerequisite(s): SOC 122

CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice

In this introductory course, the roots of the criminal justice system will be explored, along with the specific processes of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The understanding of Supreme Court cases will be connected to these areas of the system. Further understanding will be developed in areas of theory, crime elements and crime trends. Current issues in the criminal justice system will also be discussed.

CRJ 101 Law Enforcement and Community Relations

This course considers the functions of law enforcement in modern society. Emphasis will be placed on the numerous and complex factors involved in the areas of human relations, including culture and environment. The intricacies of communication, perception, and body language will be a connector to the examination of bias, prejudice and discrimination. Documented law enforcement and community interactions will be examined in relationship to agency policy, the courts and public sentiment.

CRJ 102 Juvenile Delinquency and Justice

This course discusses this unique population through theory and the processes of the courts and juvenile justice systems. Juveniles represent a special population within the justice system, with differences in explanations of delinquency and treatment. Methods of rehabilitation and sanctioning will be explored, along with assessment, screening, and referral procedures. The policies and laws that frame the treatment of juveniles will further students’ understanding of system behavior.

SST 115 Computer Forensics

This course will introduce basic concepts of computer and digital hardware and software as they apply to challenges of computer and mobile forensics, including the process of analysis and examination of operating systems and file systems. Students will learn differences in evidence locations and examination techniques on Windows and Linux computers, as well as for common mobile devices. A concise survey of standard forensics tools commonly used in forensics investigations will be presented and reviewed for their latest features and applications. Legal issues governing the collection and handling of digital evidence will be explored.

CRJ 203 Criminology

This course introduces anthropological, biological, economic, ecological, philosophical, psychiatric, and sociological theories of criminal behavior. The functions of punishment and methods of crime reduction will be connected to theoretical concepts. Crime trends and patterns will be explored through the examination of Uniform Crime Reports, the National Crime Victimization Survey, and local sources. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100

CRJ 204 Criminal Law

The course introduces students to the criminal law system and its function within the criminal justice system, specifically through the discussion of New York State Penal Law. The course will examine offense types and degrees, as well as the elements of specified offenses, with reference to principal rules of criminal liability. Students will employ the case analysis method to study case precedents. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100

CRJ 205 Criminal Procedure Law

This course focuses on the rules of evidence, operation, and policy that make up criminal procedure. Emphasis will be placed on New York Criminal Procedure Law and its rules regarding arrest, force, and search and seizure. Case Tracking tools that are used within prosecution and court units and systems will be discussed, as well as methods of determining trends in practice and rule effectiveness. Students will be able to apply fact patterns to procedure. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 204

CRJ 211 Law Enforcement Administration

Principles of organization and management in law enforcement and public safety. Analysis of the major problems in police organization and administration. Developing, maintaining and using complex and multiple information systems for crime trends as well as internal organizational operations; use of management control systems and associated computer information analysis and simulation tools for police patrol planning and evaluation. Examination of the role of technology in the police crime prevention function. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100, 101

Last Modified 2/13/24