Bachelor of Science Program
Program Code: BS-SP
Major Code: CRJ

Criminal Justice Department
Cassety Hall Room 102
(716) 878-4517
criminaljustice.buffalostate.edu/

Students in the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice receive a broad and comprehensive background that examines all aspects of crime and how society reacts to it. Students will learn about criminology—the causes and factors of crime; and the criminal justice system’s role and function—including policing, courts, and corrections.

The program challenges students to think with diverse world views and intense study of current events. The program equips students to be the next generation of criminal justice practitioners, policymakers, and researchers for positions at the local, state, and federal levels; law school; or graduate study.

Program Requirements

 The Criminal Justice Department offers three concentrations for students who would like to specialize in a particular field of criminal justice.  To register for a concentration, please see the Department.  Students who do not select a concentration are automatically placed in the integrated concentration that allows students to tailor their major by choosing their supporting and advanced electives to fit their educational and career goals. 

Concentration in Policing

The primary objective of the policing concentration is to provide students with the appropriate foundation for understanding policing issues. It helps prepare students for professional careers in law enforcement available in federal, state, local, or private justice-related organizations.

Concentration in Corrections

The primary objective of the corrections concentration is to enhance students’ knowledge of correctional programs, policies, and issues.  It helps prepare students for professional careers in institutional or community-based correctional programs available in federal, state, local, or privately-run organizations.

Concentration in Intelligence Analysis

The primary objective of the intelligence analysis concentration is to allow students to develop competency and practical knowledge of intelligence analysis issues and techniques.  It helps prepare students for professional careers in intelligence and/or crime analysis in government agencies or law enforcement available in federal, state, or local organizations. 

¹

CRJ 408 may be taken 3 times as long as 3 different topics are taken. Only two CRJ 408 courses will apply to the CRJ major.  If you take more than 3 CRJ 408 courses, the extra courses will be invalid and you will not receive credit.

²

CRJ 488 requires senior class standing, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at Buffalo State and/or Instructor Permission. 

³

CRJ 495 and CRJ 499 require senior class standing and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at Buffalo State. No more than one CRJ 499 and/or CRJ 495 course may be used in the major and none may be used in the major if taken prior to successful completion of CRJ 315 without written consent of the department.

Students are able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of legal principles governing criminal justice.
2. Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the theories and ideologies of crime and their interactive influences with criminal justice policies and practices.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and process in criminal justice agencies.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of crime control efforts.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the research process in criminal justice.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking.
7. Demonstrate preparation for a career in criminal justice or graduate study.