Police Studies Major Resource Pages

The Police Studies major provides a comprehensive understanding of the police in the American criminal justice system. It is a dynamic curriculum that responds to issues of diversity as well as innovations and changes in the social and technological arenas that inform police professionals. The Police Studies major focuses on the police as an institution with concentrations on management and administration, crime analysis and investigations. The major provides a solid academic foundation for those students who wish to pursue graduate study. The program also allows students to enter the workplace with the theoretical and applied knowledge to accomplish four essential mandates of fair and effective policing: prevent and reduce crime and disorder in communities; reduce the fear of crime in communities; improve the quality of life in communities; and accomplish these goals in a fair and just fashion.

Here you will find:

  • Key information about your major
  • How and when to meet with your major advisor
  • Planning tools that will help you track your progress in the major
  • Ways to explore career opportunities related to the Police Studies major

Take a few moments to look at the information below. It will help you plan effectively and avoid surprises during your studies at John Jay. Please visit the Department of Law, Police Studies, and Criminal Justice's website for information, resources, and opportunities!

Police Studies Requirements

You are responsible for the major requirements that were in effect when you declared the major. To confirm the requirements you should be following, go to the Undergraduate Bulletin for that academic year. For example, if you declared the Police Studies major in Fall 2015 or Spring 2016, you would click on the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin. If you declared the major and then left the College for more than one full semester, you’re responsible for the major requirements in effect when you return, if they have changed. Not sure when you declared the major? Find out here.

 

Below, find the Undergraduate Bulletin that was in effect when you declared the major.

No PSC major courses can be used to fulfill your General Education Requirements.

Refer to the General Education Requirements for more information on meeting these requirements.

Major Advising

Police Studies major advising is being done remotely in Spring 2024. Students wanting advisement for the Police Studies major can email Professor Arthur Storch, Police Studies Coordinator (astorch@jjay.cuny.edu). Please provide your EMPL ID number and contact cell number when sending him communications. Once he receives an initial request for advisement, he will make contact with you via email and set up a virtual office visit via Zoom or Collaborate.

Students wanting advisement for the Police Studies major during Winter session (January 2-24) 2024 can email Professor Arthur Storch, Police Studies Coordinator (astorch@jjay.cuny.edu). Please provide your EMPL ID number and contact cell number when sending him communications. Once he receives an initial request for advisement, he will make contact with you via email and set up a virtual office visit via Zoom or Collaborate.

Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a hold on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with Professor Arthur Storch (astorch@jjay.cuny.edu ). This discussion will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:

  1. Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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  1. Click on “Advisement Required.”
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  1. See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
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Plan Ahead: Graduate on Time

The PSC major has several courses that build on each other in a sequence, so it is important to be aware of this and plan accordingly. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

 

  • CJBS 101 is the foundation course for the major.

 

  • Take PSC 101 early, since it’s the introduction to Police Studies course.

 

  • The PSC major requires that you choose one of the following concentrations:
    ​Concentration A: Policing Administration, Management and Operations
    Concentration B: Crime Analysis and Intelligence
    Concentration C: Investigative Science

 

  • CJBS 377 is an optional internship and highly recommended for this major. Talk with the PSC major advisor early to see how an internship can fit into your academic plan.

 

  • Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 GPA in the major and at least a 2.0 overall GPA to graduate.
  • DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed.  Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool.

 

  • Police Studies Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.

 

  • Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.

A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.

PSC and Careers

Listen to Professor Arthur Storch talk about the skills and perspective you'll learn and the opportunities you'll have in the Police Studies major as you work with ground-breaking faculty who are not only professors but also practitioners in the law enforcement field.

 

 

The Center for Career and Professional Development is a great resource for all questions related to job searches, internships, and career preparation. CCPD staff are available to meet individually with students and alumni in L72.00 New Building. To request a 45-minute counseling appointment, log on to John Jay Careers Online. 15-minute drop-in sessions are available all day Mon-Fri. (Stop by in person earlier the same day to schedule a drop-in session.)

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