Social Sciences Department
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology (B.A)
- Psychology (B.S.)
Criminal Justice Program Description
Concentration in Computer Crimes Investigation
The Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, which can be completed by attending the College's day or evening program, provides rigorous training to students desiring a career in law enforcement, or those eventually obtaining a graduate degree. The College's goal is to produce graduates who, having been trained in procedures and law by working professionals, are ready to embark on promising and expanding careers in law enforcement agencies.
The Criminal Justice program focuses on criminal law and criminal procedure. The curriculum requires 120 credit hours and consists of a 37 credit core of courses enabling students to explore, in depth, the many procedures, agencies, and personnel involved as a person moves through the criminal justice system. In addition, the program provides the opportunity for students to participate in hands-on internship positions, creating exposure to actual job conditions and experiences.
The program also articulates with two-year degree programs in criminal justice in the Western New York area by accepting, as transfers, credits from these programs. Another unique feature of the program is the twelve-credit Elective Study Area Component that allows students to explore courses in any area that is of interest to them and relevant to their career goals, such as business, human services, or social science.
Medaille's Criminal Justice program was designed to make the most of a student's previous college transfer credits. In addition, the College recognizes the educational value of and awards credit for many types of life experience related to our degree programs. Law enforcement personnel returning for this degree may apply for Challenge Exams for various courses that relate to their occupation.
The College stresses the importance of gaining work experience that is related to a student's major program of study. In the Criminal Justice program, students have the opportunity to fulfill six credit hours worth of hands-on learning through field experiences. This aspect of a student's education involves spending up to 120 hours in the field. As a Criminal Justice major, you may find experience opportunities in law enforcement agencies, public defenders offices, private security firms, and pretrial services.
Credit Distribution
Bachelor of Science Credit Hours
General Education Component
ENG 110 College Writing II (3)
ENG 200 Analytical Writing (3)
**GEN 110 Ideas and Experiences: Introduction to Critical Thought and Expression (3)
GEN 220 Colonial N. America: Case Study in Cultural Interaction (3)
GEN 230 Creative Expression (3)
GEN 240 Scientific Discovery (3)
GEN 410 Baccalaureate Capstone I (3)
GEN 411 Baccalaureate Capstone II (3)
*MAT 114 Intermediate Algebra (3)
MAT 201 Statistics and Society (3)
SPE 130 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
Minimum General Education Credit Hours 30
Career Component
CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
CRJ 160 Crime and Society (3)
CRJ 170 Law Enforcement Ethics (3)
CRJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Law (3)
CRJ 240 Criminal Courts and Procedures (3)
CRJ 250 Social Issues in Policing a Multicultural Community (3)
CRJ 301 Criminal Investigation I (3)
CRJ 303 Criminal Investigation I Lab (1)
CRJ 340 Corrections (3)
CRJ 350 Community Policing (3)
CRJ 420 Senior Seminar/Topics (3)
CRJ 377 Field Experience I (3)
CRJ 477 Field Experience II (3)
Minimum Career Credit Hours: 37
Elective Study Area Component (12)
Physical Education Component
PED (Any) Physical Education Electives (2)
Liberal Arts and Sciences Component
PHI 300 Ethics (3)
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
Any U.S. History or Political Science Course (3)
Social Sciences Elective (6)
(May include any APY, CRJ, ECO, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, SSC, SOC course)
Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives (6)
(May include any APY, ART, BIO, CHE, CRJ, ECO, ENG, FRE, GEN, GEO, HIS, HUM, LNG, MAT, MMS, PHI, PHY, POL, PSY, RDG, SSC, SOC, SPA, SPE, THE course)
Free Elective Component (12)
(May include any college course)
Total 120 credit hours
*Required of first-year students; all other students must substitute a Liberal Arts and Sciences Elective.
**Students who meet the math competency must substitute a Free Elective.
Criminal Justice Concentration
Computer Crimes Investigation (15 credit hours)
CIS 115 Computer Applications (3)
CRJ 180 Introduction to Personal Computers and Their Operating Systems for Computer Crime Investigations (3)
CRJ 280 Computer Forensics: Electronic Media as Evidence (3)
CRJ 380 Computer Crime Investigation: Evidence, Law, and Investigative Techniques (3)
CRJ 480 Computer Crime Investigation: Computer Networks and the Internet (3)
