The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Criminal Justice-Police is aimed at students who do not anticipate continuing their studies at a four-year institution because they envision themselves entering the workforce directly upon graduating. Some of the career opportunities in the justice system include police officer, corrections officer, sheriff, dispatcher, court officer, parole officer and probation officer. The AAS in criminal justice program will provide students with the opportunity to earn the college credits that many law enforcement agencies require for entry level positions while providing them with a strong academic foundation for career success.

1. The SUNY Orange teaching faculty are well credentialed and possess practical experience that they bring to the classroom in all areas of the justice system.
2. Many of our alumni are currently enjoying careers in the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, New York State Corrections, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and numerous other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country. A few of our graduates are also practicing attorneys and hold positions in corporate and industrial security firms. 
3. Our internship program allows students to engage in experiential learning with our local partners in the criminal justice system and is invaluable in providing students with a close-up view of law enforcement and its real-life challenges.

Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate an understanding of:

• the components and functions of the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections)
• the common concepts relevant to the criminal justice system and be able to assess and discuss these concepts
• our legal system, constitutional law, procedural law and substantive law
• the importance of diversity and ethics and their impact and relevancy within the criminal justice system
• the effective use of oral and written communication skills

Students should register for courses as early as is practical. This will give them more flexible scheduling options. 

Students should visit the Department of Criminal Justice offices on the Middletown campus (Hudson Hall Room 103) or the Newburgh campus (Tower Building Room 317) and pay particular attention to the bulletin boards which often contain career information and civil service exam announcements. 

Students should consider joining the SUNY Orange Criminal Justice Club, which meets on the Newburgh and Middletown campuses.Clubs regularly visit police academies, sheriff’s departments, courts, and other law enforcement locations.

Admission to these programs requires that students be high school graduates or have high school equivalency diplomas (HSEs). If students are not high school graduates they may be eligible for admission to the college’s 24 credit hour program. If students are home schooled, they may be eligible for admission.

SUNY Orange graduates can seamlessly transfer to four-year SUNY campuses. The College also has special relationships with other upper-level colleges and universities for transfer. These transfer institutions include:

• Alfred University
• Berkley College
• John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Marist College
• Mount St. Mary College
• Pace University
• St. Thomas Aquinas
• St  John’s University

Career opportunities exist in the following fields:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
• park police
• postal inspector
• secret service agent
• secret service uniformed
• deputy sheriff
• state police/trooper
• police officer
• district attorney
• defense counsel
• corrections officer
• forensics specialist
• court clerk
• ballistics specialist
• fingerprint specialist
• security

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The SUNY Orange Criminal Justice-Police program is available on both the Newburgh and Middletown campuses and many courses are offered in both day and evening sessions. In addition, many of our courses are available online.

The requirements of this degree can be completed entirely on either the Middletrown or Newburgh campuses.

Students will be assigned a faculty advisor who can help answer any questions they might have regarding classes, scheduling, etc.  All teaching faculty have weekly office hours during the Fall and Spring semesters and are usually available at other times by appointment. If you need to contact a faculty member we encourage you to email them. Email addresses can be found on the Criminal Justice Department website.