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

Master of Science Program
Program Code: MS-SP
Major Code: CRJ

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

Enrollment in a combined pathway allows highly qualified, current SUNY Buffalo State students to work on the Master of Science in Criminal Justice while completing the bachelor’s degree. Up to 12 credits of designated master’s courses are incorporated into the bachelor’s degree program and will count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

Program Requirements

The combined pathway requires 144 credits total, of which 36 are master’s credits leading to the MS in Criminal Justice. Students must meet all university, department and relevant concentration guidelines.

The program requires careful planning that should begin by the second year of the student’s undergraduate career at SUNY Buffalo State. The student and the primary advisor (or department chair) should consult in planning the undergraduate degree program so that these requirements are met during undergraduate study and that the 12 credits of master’s courses from the MS Program in Criminal Justice are included in the degree plan. Students must meet graduate expectations for academic progress and grade point average in their master’s level courses to remain in the combined pathway.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the combined pathway is highly selective. Matriculated undergraduate students may apply to the BS/MS pathway in their third year (junior year) and will complete all of the application requirements for the program.  The admission application process includes a minimum GPA of 3.2, completion of 89 credit hours, of which 30 credits must include criminal justice core and prerequisite requirements (see below), and a letter of recommendation.

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of methods of gathering evidence in criminal justice and an understanding of what constitutes acceptable and appropriate evidence.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the impacts and outcomes of various criminal justice policies and practices.
3. Demonstrate the ability to articulate, apply and critically evaluate criminal justice theories.
4. Demonstrate competence in writing discipline specific research-based papers incorporating supporting material.
5. Demonstrate the ability to think critically.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of legal principles governing criminal justice.
7. Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the theories and ideologies of crime and their interactive influences with criminal justice policies and practices.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and process in criminal justice agencies.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of crime control efforts.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of the research process in criminal justice.
11. Demonstrate preparation for a career in criminal justice or graduate study.