Police Studies, Bachelor of Science / Criminal Justice, Master of Arts

The Police Studies BS provides a comprehensive understanding of the police in the American criminal justice system.  It is a dynamic curriculum that responds to issues of diversity as well as innovations and changes in the social and technological arenas that inform police professionals.  The Police Studies major focuses on the police as an institution with concentrations on management and administration, crime analysis and investigations.  The major provides a solid academic foundation for those students who wish to pursue graduate study. The program also allows students to enter the workplace with the theoretical and applied knowledge to accomplish four simply stated but vitally essential mandates of fair and effective policing:

• To prevent and reduce crime and disorder in communities; 
• To reduce the fear of crime in communities;
• To improve the quality of life in communities;
• To accomplish these goals in a fair and just fashion.

The John Jay Criminal Justice MA has a large, diverse, and celebrated faculty who provide students with an advanced understanding of research and practice in the US criminal justice system and related issues. Core classes provide a mastery of the major works and theories of criminology, policing, corrections, judicial studies, quantitative research methods and policy analysis. Students are able to select from numerous electives to build a specialization in Criminology and Deviance, Criminal Law and Procedure, Police or Corrections Administration, and Terrorism Studies. Among the many available electives are courses such as Crime Mapping, Cybercrime, Crime Scene Investigation, Social Aspects of Alcohol and Drug Use, Homeland Security and Terrorism, and Criminal Law. Students are also able to select electives to earn Advanced Certificates in Terrorism Studies, Crime Prevention and Analysis, and Criminal Investigation. The Program also allows interested students to participate in faculty research or undertake internships with criminal justice employers for credit.

Undergraduate Learning outcomes. Students will:

• Use and critically evaluate a variety of practical and theoretical approaches relevant to policing.
• Use and critically evaluate a variety of practical/hands-on/research approaches relevant to policing.
• Analyze and assess the quality of operations and methods in policing.
• Integrate policing theory, research and policy in written reports and presentations.
• Explain and discuss the importance of diversity, ethical considerations and statutory requirements that police and law enforcement professionals encounter as community care takers and providers of public safety that impacts the level of crime and quality of life within the communities they serve.

Credits Required.

Police Studies BS	24
General Education	42
Other Required Undergraduate Courses	3-6
Undergraduate Electives	20-35
Criminal Justice MA	30-36
Total Credits Required for B.S./M.S. Degree	128-134

Undergraduate Major Coordinator. Professor Joseph Pollini, Department of Law, Police Science and Criminal Justice Administration (212.237.8409, jpollini@jjay.cuny.edu)

Graduate Program Director. Professor Jeff Mellow, Department of Criminal Justice (212-237-8035, jmellow@jjay.cuny.edu)

Graduate Program Advisor. Dr. Janice Carrington, Criminal Justice MA Program (212-237-8418, jcarrington@jjay.cuny.edu)

Baccalaureate/Master Programs. General information including qualifications and application process. 

Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2017 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the program.  See the Graduate Program Advisor.

Total Credit Hours: 128-134