Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Programs

Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)
Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)
Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Concentrations

Real-world career preparation in degree programs with concentrations in specific areas of Criminal Justice

In a field where you can make a difference, the Justice Studies - Criminal Justice degree programs at Berkeley College can arm you with a strong foundation, taught by faculty with years of extensive professional experience. Focusing on the skills that employers require, you’ll also learn from field trips and guest speakers from various areas of criminal justice, which are an important part of the career-focused programs.

The degree programs focus on practical career preparation with timely and relevant courses that examine:

The causes of crime
Criminal law and procedure
The role of law enforcement
Forensic science
Research methods

Stand out to employers with a concentration in a specific area

To help you prepare for a wide range of careers, Bachelor’s degree programs allow you to specialize in a specific area of criminal justice. This can help enhance your qualifications and help to set you apart in the job market. Concentrations are available in:

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Forensics
Cyber Security
Homeland Security
Social Justice
Social Welfare

Bachelor’s degree students (including Associate’s degree students who choose to continue on toward a Bachelor’s degree) will not need to declare a concentration until registering for their third semester.

Here’s what sets the Berkeley Justice Studies - Criminal Justice program apart:

You’ll learn in small classes with personal attention from instructors who have worked in many different areas of the criminal justice system
You’ll have the flexibility of day, evening, and online classes
You’ll participate in real-life role playing and exercises to develop the professional skill sets used by professionals
You’ll have access to current technology used by criminal justice professionals
You may have the opportunity to participate in an internship or job-related assignment for a valuable learning experience
You’ll have exceptional networking opportunities through faculty, justice studies clubs, and alumni connections
A seamless transition between Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees

Is a Justice Studies Degree Right for You? Find Out Now!

Take the Berkeley College Justice Studies Degree Readiness Quiz

This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you'll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you're best suited for.

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Concentrations

Degree programs with concentrations in specific areas of Criminal Justice

To help you prepare for a wide range of careers, Bachelor’s degree programs allow you to specialize in a specific area of criminal justice to help you better prepare for your desired career by improving your qualifications and helping to set you apart in the job market. You can choose a concentration in:

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Forensics
Cyber Security
Homeland Security
Social Justice
Social Welfare

The concentration in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Forensics is ideal for students who:

Want to obtain knowledge and an overview of crime scene investigation and forensic analysis.
Are interested in entry-level forensic science jobs/positions that combine the work of many fields, including chemical and biological analysis, crime scene investigation, laboratory technician work, and medical examination.

The concentration in Cyber Security is ideal for students who:

Want to develop competency and practical knowledge, enabling them to work with various issues related to cybercrime and cyber security
Are interested in practical digital investigative knowledge, legal practices, and policies related to cyber security
Desire a critical understanding of the technological needs, threats, and weaknesses in cybersecurity
Wish to obtain an entry-level position in a rapidly growing and in-demand field with unlimited potential

The concentration in Homeland Security is ideal for students who are:

Considering the first step toward a career in federal government, emergency preparedness, policing or security
Interested in the theoretical and practical contemporary issues related to Homeland Security
Currently working as a first responder (i.e. EMS, fire fighter, etc.).
Seeking to apply for a wide range of positions within the federal and local government

The concentration in Social Justice is ideal for students who:

Desire a broad background in the discipline by focusing their coursework on the substantive topics of social change, social inequality, and social justice
Are interested in a wide range of careers, such as: civil rights, gender-based violence, immigration; public policy and public issues concerning marginalized populations
Recognize that equal access to life-sustaining resources, such as a clean environment, education, employment, healthcare, food, legal protection from discrimination, and economic opportunity is vital to society

The concentration in Social Welfare is ideal for students who:

Are passionate about working with vulnerable populations, transforming individual lives, and helping children and families to thrive
Wish to develop an understanding of the impact of trauma, poverty, and substance abuse on society
Want to comprehend the underlying systemic issues related to disproportionality and disparities faced by communities

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Justice Studies – Criminal Justice program are prepared to enter and succeed in a variety of professional occupations and field within the criminal justice system, including:

Federal Law Enforcement Officers
State Police Officers
Sheriffs Deputies
Police Officers
Prosecutors Office Investigators
Detectives
Corrections Officers
Parole Officers
Correctional treatment specialists
Probation Officers
Intelligence Analysts
Social Justice Advocates
Social Welfare
Private Security Management

Catalog

Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Programs

You’ll find additional information in our Catalog, including the different degrees offered, descriptions of the courses you’ll take, the department faculty, and much more. You can always live chat or contact us with questions.

Gary Krulish (Chair)

Professor Krulish's profile

Judith Corbett-Carter

Professor Corbett-Carter's profile

Allen R. Sondej

Professor Sondej's profile

Angelo Zecca

Professor Zecca's profile

Locations Offered

The Justice Studies - Criminal Justice BS and AAS degree programs are offered by Berkeley College New Jersey and Berkeley College New York. The Justice Studies - Criminal Justice program courses are offered online and as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester.

Frequently Asked Questions: Justice Studies – Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is much more than the police, corrections, and the courts. It is a complete system that is interrelated and complex. The policing aspect of the system deals with the prevention of crime and disorder, as well as the detection and apprehension of law breakers. It also includes the custodial aspects of justice before, during, and after the trial process. These actions are supported by a legal system of laws and regulations. The criminal justice system also touches on issues of social justice and social welfare, addressing the causes and impacts of crime.

Justice Studies – Criminal Justice programs at Berkeley College offer students the opportunity to gain a practical mastery of the foundations of criminal justice. This includes examining the causes of crime, the role of police, criminal law, and forensic science. These courses are taught by professors with real-life experience in the field. At Berkeley College, career-focused curricula are designed with job preparation and career success in mind. The BS in Justice Studies – Criminal Justice offers concentrations including Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Forensics, Cyber Security, Homeland Security, Social Justice, and Social Welfare.

Berkeley College's Bachelor's and Associate's degree programs in Justice Studies - Criminal Justice provide students with a comprehensive foundation in the criminal justice field. Students develop theoretical, practical, technological, and management skills through classroom instruction and hands-on learning from faculty with professional experience. Program-related group excursions and guest speakers from various areas of criminal justice are also part of the career-focused program.

Graduates of the Justice Studies - Criminal Justice program are prepared to pursue a variety of professional roles within the criminal justice system, including Federal Law Enforcement Officer, State Police Officer, Sheriff's Deputy, Police Officer, Prosecutor's Office Investigator, Detective, Corrections Officer, Parole Officer, Correctional Treatment Specialist, Probation Officer, Intelligence Analyst, Social Justice Advocate, Social Welfare professional, and Private Security Management roles.

Kenzy A. Barrett

Berkeley College Alumna

"I am excited about the next chapter of my life and the opportunities that await me. To my fellow graduates — stay curious, hungry, and humble. Always believe in yourself and your abilities, and never let anyone define your worth or limit your potential."

Tianna Eason

Berkeley College Alumna

"I chose Berkeley because it’s one of the best schools for Criminal Justice. Also, in smaller classes, it’s easier to learn. I like all of my professors—they all were or still are police officers, so it gives us real-world experience."

Tianna Eason smiling and holding Berkeley College notebook

Clelia G. Pergola

Berkeley College Alumna

"Berkeley College didn’t create my ambition — it fueled it. The program gave me the structure, accountability, and validation that what I’d built through experience could now stand on academic ground, too."