Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5505
Curriculum Code: 2080 PLS
Campus Location: North
(First year of courses can be taken at any campus)
Business & Public Service Division
Pre-Admission Recommendations: Sworn police officer affiliated with a NYS certified law enforcement agency; and 30 semester credit hours of collegiate instruction with Quality Point Average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 system.
Career Opportunities/Further Education: Law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities and campus and industrial security. Graduates also receive certification from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services which certifies the student to attend an abbreviated Police Equivalency Course (six week course) if hired by a police agency.
Program Description
The Police Science Degree Program at SUNY Erie has been designed to provide students interested in pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with the opportunity to attend the Police Academy as part of their program studies. The first year or 34 credit hours of study is intended to provide the student with a foundation in criminal justice, English and social science courses that will smooth their transition into the specialized courses given in the second-year Academy program (Police Basic Training Course).
Students can then go on to pursue their careers with a law enforcement agency or elsewhere in the criminal justice system. Graduates of this program are not restricted to a career with a law enforcement agency. They also have the option to transfer their credits and pursue a four-year Bachelor of Science degree at another college or university.
Program Competencies
Upon graduating the Police Science Program, the officer will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the criminal justice vocabulary;
- demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical and historical background in the three parts of criminal justice: law enforcement, courts and corrections;
- demonstrate an understanding of the theories and causes of crime, whether economic, sociological and psychological;
- operate a police vehicle in pursuit and rapid response situations;
- prepare clear and concise police report and memos;
- understand the fundamentals of police crime-scene investigation and other complaints
- earn certification as an EMS First Responder;
- attain a level of physical fitness consistent with Cooper Standards;
- prove proficiency in arrest techniques, including use of non-lethal weapons;
- perform patrol and traffic functions efficiently; and
- possess familiarity with New York State Criminal Laws (e.g Penal Law, Code of Criminal Procedure and V&T Laws).
Department Notes
Students can now earn an Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degree if they complete the Police Basic Training Certificate and complete the first two semesters of this program (34 credit hours). This is a great alternative for criminal justice students who want to earn an A.A.S. degree in just one and a half years while attending the academy.
Curriculum
Total Degree Credits: 64.0
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