New York Criminal Justice Programs
Even though violent crime in New York has been on the decline for nearly 20 years, New York still sees its fair share of crime. New York City, for example, still has one of the highest crime rates of any city in the nation (although violent crime in NYC has also been on the decline.) Crime rates also vary greatly from city to city across the state. Poorer areas, such as the Bronx, Brooklyn and Bedford, have relatively high crime rates compared to more affluent areas like Westchester County and Long Island.New York employs some of the best and most dedicated law enforcement officers and criminal justice professionals that money can buy. NYPD is one of the largest police departments in nation and also one of the best. Each year NYPD hires hundreds of new uniformed officers and detectives to enforce laws and combat the criminal element throughout the city. Statewide, New York offers employment opportunities for just about every kind of criminal justice professional there is.
Demand for criminal justice professionals in New York is growing and is predicted to do so for quite some time to come. While crime rate on a per capita basis is down, the overall number of crimes committed each year is still on the rise. As New York's population continues to grow, there will be a growing demand for educated and experienced law enforcement professionals. Police and patrol officers are in particularly high demand right now in New York. It also has the highest demand for probation officers and correctional specialists of any state in the nation, with exception of California.
Criminal Justice Education in New York
If you're serious about a career in criminal justice, one of the best ways to get started is to earn an accredited degree or certificate in criminal justice, or a closely related discipline. New York offers a comprehensive selection of colleges and universities offering degree, certificate and professional training programs in criminal justice, criminology and law enforcement. Most people begin their career by earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. For those interested in a career in management, working with the FBI, CIA, or other specialized investigative unit, a master's degree may be necessary.A degree in criminal justice will introduce you to the criminal justice system in the U.S., correctional institution systems, juvenile justice system, criminal investigation, ethics, corrections and rehabilitation. Professional certificates are also available for those seeking specific career training in a specific discipline or specialty.
Did you know that many professionals that work in the criminal justice field earn a degree in a discipline other than criminal justice? Criminals are a diverse and multi-talented group of individuals. In order to find, apprehend and prosecute criminals, law enforcement agencies must also have a diverse set of skills and experience to pull from. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies hire individuals with degrees in forensic accounting, forensic psychology, clinical psychology, languages, linguistices, computer programming, finance, communication technology, business, and much more. From an educational perspective, the field of criminal justice is about as diverse as any industry out there.
Below is a comprehensive directory of the colleges and universities offering accredited programs in criminal justice and closely related disciplines.
| Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Alfred University (Alfred, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Studies | |
| ASA Institute of Business and Computer Technology (Brooklyn, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
| Berkeley College (New York, NY) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Justice Studies - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Justice Studies- Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Bachelor of Science (BS) in Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Justice Studies- Criminal Justice (online) Certificate Program - Paralegal | |
| Briarcliffe College (Bethpage, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Bachelor in Science - Criminal Justice | |
| Bryant & Stratton College (Albany, NY / Amherst, NY / Buffalo, NY / Liverpool, NY / Orchard Park, NY / Rochester, NY / Syracuse, NY) PrograMaster of Science (MS) offered: Associate Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Associate Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Associate Degree - Paralegal Associate Degree - Security Technology Associate in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - ITT Security Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice (online) | |
| Business Informatics Center Inc (Valley Stream, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Court Reporting | |
| Canisius College (Buffalo, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Forensics Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Cayuga County Community College (Auburn, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Corrections Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Police Science Certificate Program - Correction Administration Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| Cazenovia College (Cazenovia, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology & Homeland Security | |
| Clinton Community College (Plattsburgh, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Corning Community College (Corning, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| CUNY John Jay College Criminal Justice (New York, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminology Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Deviant Behavior and Social Control Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Forensic Psychology Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - International Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Judicial Studies Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Public Administration Bachelor of Science (BS) in Corrections Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science Bachelor of Science (BS) in Security Management Certificate Program - Public Management Master of Arts (M.A.) - Criminal Justice Master of Arts (M.A.) - Forensic Mental Health Master of Arts (M.A.) - Forensic Psychology Master of Arts (M.A.) - International Crime and Justice Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Inspector General Track Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Public Administration Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Computing Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Science Master of Science (M.S.) - Protection Management | |
| CUNY-Bronx Community College (Bronx, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Paralegal Studies | |
| CUNY-Hostos Community College (Bronx, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Science for Forensic Science Certificate Program - Legal Administrative Assistant | |
| CUNY-LaGuardia Community College (Long Island City, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| CUNY-New York City College of Technology (Brooklyn, NY) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Law and Paralegal Studies Bachelor Degree - Law and Paralegal Studies | |
| CUNY-The Graduate Center (New York, NY) Programs offered: Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) - Criminal Justice | |
| Dominican College of Blauvelt (Orangeburg, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice | |
| Elmira College (Elmira, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Graduate Advanced Certificate Program - Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Management Master of Science (M.S.) in Management - Emergency-Disaster Preparedness Management | |
| Everest Institute (Rochester, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies Certificate Program - Criminal Evidence Certificate Program - Criminal Investigations Certificate Program - Criminal Justice (online) Certificate Program - Criminal Justice Communications Certificate Program - Criminal Procedure Certificate Program - Criminology Certificate Program - Intro to Corrections Certificate Program - Intro to Terrorism | |
| Excelsior College (Albany, NY) Programs offered: Certificate Program - Homeland Security (online) | |
| Finger Lakes Community College (Canandaigua, NY) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| Fulton-Montgomery Community College (Johnstown, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| Genesee Community College (Batavia, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Economic Crime Investigation - Computer Security Associate of Science (A.S.) - Economic Crime Investigation - Financial Investigation Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| Herkimer County Community College (Herkimer, NY) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice: Cybersecurity (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice: Economic Crime (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice: Forensic Investigations Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies (online) Certificate Program - Corrections | |
| Hilbert College (Hamburg, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation Bachelor of Science (BS) in Paralegal Studies Certificate Program - Security Management (online) | |
| Hudson Valley Community College (Troy, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Investigation Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice (online) | |
| Iona College (New Rochelle, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| Keuka College (Keuka Park, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Systems Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology and Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice Administration | |
| Long Island Business Institute (Flushing, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Court Reporting | |
| Long Island University - Brentwood Campus (Brentwood, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| Long Island University - C. W. Post Campus (Brookville, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science Bachelor of Science (BS) in Security Administration Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Paralegal Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Criminal Justice (online) | |
| Medaille College (Buffalo, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Mercy College (Dobbs Ferry, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Corporate and Homeland Security Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Private Security | |
| Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Cybersecurity | |
| Molloy College (Rockville Centre, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| Monroe College (Bronx, NY / New Rochelle, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice (online) Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| Monroe Community College (Rochester, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice: Corrections Administration Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice: Police Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Emergency Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Legal Office Administration Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice: Corrections Administration Certificate Program - Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Certificate Program - Emergency Management Certificate Program - Law Enforcement Certificate Program - Paralegal Studies | |
| Nassau Community College (Garden City, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| New York Career Institute (New York, NY) Programs offered: Associate in Occupational Studies - Stenotype Court Reporter Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal/Legal Assistant Associate of Science (A.S.) - Stenotype Court Reporting Certificate Program - Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate Program - Stenotype Hearing Reporting Certificate Program - Stenotype Stenographer | |
| New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Niagara University (Niagara University, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology and Criminal Justice Minor - Computer Crime Minor - Fraud Examination and Economic Crime Minor - Justice and Peace Studies | |
| North Country Community College (Saranac Lake, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
| Olean Business Institute (Olean, NY) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Paralegal | |
| Orange County Community College (Middletown, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Police Science Certificate Program - Law Enforcement/Security | |
| Pace University (New York, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science Bachelor of Science (B.S.)/Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Science Certificate Program - Information Assurance in the Criminal Justice System Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Science Minor - Information Assurance for the Criminal Justice System Minor - Peace and Justice Studies | |
| Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute (Binghamton, NY) Programs offered: Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Security and Forensics Certificate Program - Disaster and Emergency Management (online) Master of Science (M.S.) - Environmental, Health and Safety Management (online) | |
| Saint Joseph's College-New York (Patchogue, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Peace and Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Saint Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science | |
| SBI Campus-Melville (Melville, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
| St. Francis College (Brooklyn Heights, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| St. John's University (Queens, NY) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice (online) | |
| Sullivan County Community College (Loch Sheldrake, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Emergency Management Certificate Program - Legal Assistant | |
| SUNY College at Oneonta (Oneonta, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY College at Oswego (Oswego, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Public Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Insurance and Risk Management | |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi (Delhi, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Adirondack Community College (Queensbury, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - CJ - Substance Abuse Services Associate of Science (A.S.) - CJ - Police | |
| SUNY-Albany (Albany, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) - Criminal Justice Master of Arts (M.A.) - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Broome Community College (Binghamton, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Associate of Science (A.S.) - Corrections Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice-Police Associate of Science (A.S.) - Homeland Security Certificate Program - Paralegal | |
| SUNY-Buffalo State College (Buffalo, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Chemistry | |
| SUNY-Canton (Canton, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Technology - Criminal Investigation Bachelor of Technology - Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Leadership Bachelor of Technology - Emergency Management (online) | |
| SUNY-College of Technology at Alfred (Alfred, NY) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Court Reporting Certificate Program - Court Reporting | |
| SUNY-Columbia-Greene Community College (Hudson, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Dutchess Community College (Poughkeepsie, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Fire Protection Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Public and Private Security Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice (Transfer) Certificate Program - Paralegal | |
| SUNY-Erie Community College (Buffalo, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Court Reporting Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Emergency Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Arts (AA) - Law Enforcement Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Crime Scene Technology Certificate Program - Homeland Security | |
| SUNY-Farmingdale State College (Farmingdale, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement | |
| SUNY-Jamestown Community College (Jamestown, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice: Police Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Public Safety Technology: Fire Science Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Corrections Officer Technology Certificate Program - Law Enforcement Technology Certificate Program - Public Safety Technology: Fire Science | |
| SUNY-Jefferson Community College (Watertown, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Corrections Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Forensics Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement with Police Academy Option Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Niagara County Community College (Sanborn, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Onondaga Community College (Syracuse, NY) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Law Enforcement | |
| SUNY-Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Potsdam (Potsdam, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
| SUNY-Rockland Community College (Suffern, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Fire Protection Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Paralegal Studies | |
| SUNY-Schenectady County Community College (Schenectady, NY) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Paralegal | |
| SUNY-Suffolk County Community College (Selden, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Fire Protection Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice: Police Administration Certificate Program - Fire Investigation Certificate Program - Paralegal Studies | |
| SUNY-The College at Brockport (Brockport, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Public Safety Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Accounting | |
| SUNY-Ulster County Community College (Stone Ridge, NY) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Emergency Management Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Police Basic Training | |
| SUNY-Westchester Community College (Valhalla, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Computer Security and Forensics Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Corrections Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Police Science Certificate Program - Paralegal Studies | |
| Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
| Technical Career Institutes (New York, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Security Services and Management | |
| The College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice, Behavior, and Law Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science | |
| The Sage Colleges (Albany, NY / Troy, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Crime and Justice Policy Bachelor of Science (BS) in Law and Society Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Affairs Certificate Program - Forensic Mental Health Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Mental Health | |
| Tompkins Cortland Community College (Dryden, NY) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Computer Forensics Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice | |
| Utica College (Utica, NY) Programs offered: Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cyber Security (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economic Crime Investigation (online) Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice Administration (online) Masters Degree - Criminal Justice (online) | |