Criminal Justice
Office: W363 Thompson Hall
(716) 673-3205
Daniela Peterka-Benton, Program Director
Email: criminal.justice@fredonia.edu
Website: http://www.fredonia.edu/department/sociology/
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary curriculum that offers broad based knowledge of crime and delinquency, criminal law and procedure, police science and security, and the juvenile justice system. The curriculum includes courses in criminal law and procedure, crime theory, human deviant behavior, police science, security, corrections, statistics and research methods. Graduates will be prepared for careers in the field of juvenile justice, court system administration, law enforcement, adult corrections, rehabilitation, crime data analysis and security at the city, county, state and federal level. Internships are highly recommended. Participating internship sponsors include local police and sheriff departments, the county district attorney’s office, Department of Probation, New York State Department of Corrections, U.S. Customs, and the Chautauqua County Victim/Witness program. In addition to the Core Curriculum and elective requirements listed below, students are strongly urged to include elective courses that will help develop effectiveness in speaking and in writing. Familiarity with bibliographic and data search routines is strongly encouraged.
Students are strongly advised to complete a minor in a related discipline given the interdisciplinary characteristics of the Criminal Justice major.