Academics

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice BA (Research and Policy Analysis) was completely revised in 2012 and now ranks among the most innovative criminal justice programs in the United States.  Unlike most criminal justice programs, which emphasize factual knowledge of the status quo, the criminal justice BA helps students develop the capacity to analyze, critique, and change the existing criminal justice system.  The professors who teach in the major view crime as a social problem that can be improved.  In the classroom, the emphasis of the major is on developing analytical skills, ethical reasoning, and a capacity for solving problems.  The major aspires to cultivate creative and original thinking about one of the most challenging social problems of our time and to develop the next generation of leaders who will help solve that problem. (Prerequisites & RequirementsAdmissions Information)

Chairperson: Evan Mandery, Department of Criminal Justice, 212.237.8389, emandery@jjay.cuny.edu.  

Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program in Criminal Justice 
The Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program (BA/MA) provides academically advanced students the opportunity to pursue simultaneously the baccalaureate and master’s degrees. It is available to students studying criminal justice, forensic psychology and public administration. The number of undergraduate electives and courses in the major are reduced for BA/MA candidates, thus enabling them to begin graduate courses once they have fulfilled the college general education requirements and some of the requirements of their major. Graduate courses then fulfill certain undergraduate requirements. For detailed information, click here.

Senior Academic Advisor: Jennifer Cadeau 646.781.5833, jcadeau@jjay.cuny.edu

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice 
The aim of the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program is to broaden the perspective of those already in the criminal justice profession and prepare students for further graduate work and scholarship. Its courses provide a general survey of the field covering research methods causes of crime and analysis of the police, courts and correctional system. In addition, courses are offered in criminal law, crime mapping, cybercrime, information security and technology, as well as drug abuse and terrorism. Students must specialize in one of five areas: Criminology and Deviance, Criminal Law and Procedure, Police Administration, Correction Administration, or Terrorism Studies. (Prerequisites & RequirementsAdmissions Information)

Program Director: Dr. Valerie West; vwest@jjay.cuny.edu

Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice 
The Ph.D. Program in Criminal Justice housed at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The Ph.D. Program in Criminal Justice offers an interdisciplinary education in the field of criminology and criminal justice. Ranked as a top 15 Ph.D. program in Criminal Justice and Criminology by U.S. News & World Report, the program is designed to prepare students for careers in research and teaching. The program also offers a specialization in policy, oversight, and administration (POA).

Program Webpage: Criminal Justice PhD Program

Program Contact Information: crjphd@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8988

Executive Officer: Brian Lawton, blawton@jjay.cuny.edu