Justice Studies A.S.

School: Business and Professional Careers
Academic Dept: Criminal Justice and Paralegal
HEGIS: 5505

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2025 to Summer 2026. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Justice Studies A.S. at SUNY Westchester Community College offers a comprehensive foundation for students pursuing careers or further studies in criminal justice and related fields. This program equips students with essential knowledge and critical thinking skills to address complex social issues and promote positive institutional change. Students engage deeply with criminology, forensic science, ethics, and criminal law, while hands-on learning through courses like research methods and comparative criminal justice develops practical skills essential for real-world applications. Graduates are well-prepared to transfer to four-year programs or enter roles in various justice-related agencies at local, state, and federal levels.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Evaluate social forces, including criminal justice institutional processes, which define, develop, and respond to crime.
Categorize and appraise theories and constructs of criminality.
Identify and resolve problems by selecting and applying information resources and critical thinking methodologies.
Demonstrate familiarity with research design.
Value diversity and apply ethical and objective considerations to cross-cultural social issues.
Demonstrate competency in communicating ideas effectively in writing.

Accreditation

SUNY WCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. https://www.sunywcc.edu/about/accreditation/

Program Notes

No additional notes for this program.

Program Requirements

61 credits are required for the degree:

General Education - 21 credits
Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

General Education Requirements - 31 Credits

Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research
Humanities (6 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature and PHIL 160 - Ethics
Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (4 credits): MATH 140 - Statistics
Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (3 credits): BIOL 155 - Environmental Studies - Lecture
Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
Social Sciences (6 credits): PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology and SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
World Languages (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses
US History and Civic Engagement (3 credits): HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses .

Required Degree Courses - 30 credits

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Course	Credits
ENG 101 Writing and Research	3
World Languages Gen. Ed. Course	3
CJ 101 - Intro to the Criminal Justice System in the U.S.	3
PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology	3
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 2

Course	Credits
ENG 102 Writing and Literature	3
CJ 111 - Introduction to Criminology	3
MATH 140 - Statistics	4
HIS 112 - 20th Century United States History	3
Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice Gen. Ed. Course	3
Semester Total Credits	16

Semester 3

Course	Credits
SOC 103 - Social Problems	3
CJ 202 - Juvenile Delinquency - Treatment and Control	3
CJ 205 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice	3
POL 211 - Basic Criminal Law and Procedure	3
CHEM 127 - Introduction to Forensic Science - Lecture & Lab OR POL 203 - Principles of Investigation	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Semester 4

Course	Credits
CJ 120 - Global Terrorism	3
CJ 221 - Criminal Justice Seminar	3
CJ 130 - Comparative Criminal Justice
PHIL 160 - Ethics	3
BIOL 155 - Environmental Studies - Lecture	3
Semester Total Credits	15

Minimum Total Credits: 61

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.