Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Widely considered one of the best college programs of its kind in the state of New York, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Hilbert College is designed to impart a deep understanding of key criminal, legal, scientific and social issues affecting society today, including hot-button issues surrounding race, ethnicity, and cultural and gender diversity.

You’ll build a solid foundation in criminology, research methods and ethics as you develop into a forward-thinking leader who prioritizes equity and justice. No matter your field of interest—from social services and juvenile justice to law enforcement and law making—our bachelor’s in criminal justice degree can help you make a difference for people and communities in an exciting and rewarding career.

Why Earn a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice?

Because a criminal justice degree is a social science degree, students develop skills beyond the core content area of criminal justice, including key skills in communication, critical thinking and analytical problem-solving. In addition, students develop a commitment to community service as well as ethical decision-making and behavior. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree can choose from diverse career paths because they have learned theory, practical knowledge and professional workplace skills. With the skill set developed through our interdisciplinary program, students can look for employment in law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, social services, security or private police, courts, law or law making. Most of these areas offer employment opportunities in the private sector as well as with government agencies at the federal, state and local levels.

Criminal Justice Department Mission

The mission of the Hilbert College Criminal Justice Department is to provide students with a challenging and relevant curriculum through a balance of liberal arts, career preparation and the integration of multiple disciplines. In addition to discipline-specific knowledge, the Criminal Justice Program cultivates student skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, research, analysis, technology and problem solving. The program develops student commitment in the areas of community service, personal accountability, global responsibility, and cultural diversity. It stresses ethical decision-making, principled behavior and the importance of life-long learning and facilitates professional and career development in specialized fields. With the skill set developed through our interdisciplinary program, a student can look for employment in law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, social services, security or private police, courts, law or law making, or even pursue graduate studies. Within most of these areas there are employment opportunities to be found at the federal, state, or local-level government entities, or students can pursue employment within the private sector.

Criminal Justice Degree Options

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Criminal Justice

• Expert faculty with years of experience in their fields
• A 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, guaranteeing face time with your professors Internship opportunities to gain practical experience in real-world settings such as the U.S. Secret Service, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, local police departments and many others
• The opportunity to add a concentration to your criminal justice degree—choose from Corrections, Criminology, Family Violence, Investigations, Juvenile Justice, Police Management, Security and Generalist
• Academic skills workshops, one-on-one tutoring, learning strategies instruction and academic counseling to help you perform your best
• A dedicated Office of Career Development providing resources, knowledge and strategies to help you achieve your career potential
• More than 30 student organizations, clubs and honor societies, plus intramural and club sports Ample service learning opportunities to give back to the community