Sociology and Criminal Justice

Johnathan Fleming spent more than 20 years behind bars for a murder he didn't commit. Rob Rahn '76, a St. Francis graduate, helped free him. Both came to St. Francis College to tell students about the experience.

Sociology and Criminal Justice come to life every day at the College. You'll meet the people who work in these fields; people who are making a difference in people's lives.

Our goal is for students to enter the workforce prepared to solve social problems such as addressing homelessness, helping crime victims find needed services, prosecuting criminals, defending clients in a court of law, fighting injustices, and creating meaningful public policy. Graduates from our program are prepared to attend law school as well as pursue graduate work in sociology, criminal justice, criminology, and psychology.Graduates from our program are prepared to attend law school as well as pursue graduate work in sociology, criminal justice, criminology, and psychology.

Faculty

Our faculty members conduct research in a range of areas within the disciplines of sociology and criminology including crime and popular culture, wrongful convictions, post-prison education, crime and media, and public school education in New York City. Their works have been published in their field and they frequently appear as experts on various media.

Students can work as research assistants and gain valuable for-credit internships at social service and criminal justice agencies, including:

• Victim service organizations,
• Non-profit criminal justice and social service think tanks,
• Senior centers,
• Child care centers,
• NYC Department of Buildings
• Hospitals,
• Federal and state probation and parole agencies,
• State and federal policing agencies,
• District Attorneys and law offices.

Courses

Full Course Catalogue

Mission

The mission of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice is to provide our students with the knowledge, confidence and motivation to think deeply about social issues in modern society. We seek to instill an intellectual curiosity in our students for lifelong learning and an appreciation for objectivity, application of the scientific method, and critical thinking. We intend for our students to become tolerant and open-minded individuals who are prepared intellectually and substantively for the modern workforce as well as further graduate and professional study. Our students will leave the department ready to purse constructive careers in the social services of criminal justice, social work and sociology.