Why Choose Russell Sage’s Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Program

At Russell Sage, criminal justice isn’t one-size-fits-all. You’ll build a degree that reflects your interests while gaining real experience early.

Get hands-on investigative experience at our on-campus Criminal Research Investigation Center, where you’ll train in advanced case analysis and work with law enforcement agencies to research unresolved cases.

Explore the CIRC

Gain professional experience at internships with local district attorney and public defender offices, the New York State Parole Board, and vital community advocacy organizations.You’ll also be able to participate in faculty-mentored research and have opportunities to present at conferences.

Find seamless paths into high-demand master’s programs like Forensic Mental Health or the nation’s only community-corrections-focused master’s, as well as 3+3 law school programs.

As a Criminal Justice major at Russell Sage, you’ll take classes in law, criminal justice, psychology and sociology, but not the same fixed set of courses as everyone else. You’ll be able to customize parts of your course sequence based on your interests and goals and you’ll graduate with an interdisciplinary background you can clearly articulate on your résumé

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Social Mobility 2026

Top 25

For seven consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Russell Sage among the top 25 national universities for social mobility — proof that our students see real returns. Learn more about financial aid at Sage.

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Best Value 2026

Best Value

With first-year merit scholarships of $21,000 to $26,000 and one of the lowest private college tuition rates in New York State, Russell Sage ranks #36 nationally for Best Value (U.S. News & World Report 2026).

Best Class Ever: Criminal Psychology

Listen in as Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science Christina Lane, Ph.D., and her students explore the mind of criminals like Jack the Ripper.

Professional Experiences and Community Connections

Immersive Internships and Research Projects

Recent employers who have hosted interns from Russell Sage College include local district attorney and public defender offices, the New York State Parole Board, the county Crime Victims and Sexual Violence Center and Have Justice — Will Travel legal services.

Criminal Justice, Law & Behavioral Science majors also contribute to faculty research and conduct their own research. Students regularly present research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, regional conferences and Russell Sage College’s Undergraduate Research Day.

View Program Catalog for Course Requirements
Chynna Marcucci

“It’s the personal connection you feel at Sage. They really care about you. My professors have kept in touch. I still love hearing from them.”

Chynna Marcucci

Affordability, Admissions, and Transferring

Affording a Criminal Justice Degree

We understand that cost and value are top concerns when choosing a college. That’s why we work with every student as an individual in the admission process — whether they’re a transfer student or a student coming straight out of high school.

What to Know:

  • Russell Sage prioritizes college access and affordability. We have been included on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges for Social Mobility list for seven consecutive years.
  • 100% of incoming, full-time undergraduates at Russell Sage receive financial aid.
  • Transfer merit scholarships are generous compared to other colleges – starting at $20,000 to $22,000 a year.
  • In many cases, Russell Sage is more affordable than SUNY or other private schools.
  • We want to make every transfer students’ credits count, just one of the reasons we’ve been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for seven straight years.

Don’t forget! You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college. 

Apply to Russell Sage’s Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science Program

Full application details and next steps are available through the Admissions Office.

Start Your Application

Transfer to Russell Sage’s Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science Program

Russell Sage welcomes transfer students and provides a supportive and straightforward transfer process. We maintain several articulation agreements with local community colleges to help you maximize your transferable credits.

Explore Transfer Experience

What Can I Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?

Check Out Our Student and Alumni Success Stories

Explore Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Entry-level positions at the local, state, and federal level, including the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Why Russell Sage: B.S. in Criminal Justice provides a foundation for careers in law enforcement and graduate programs like Criminal Justice & Community Corrections or Forensic Mental Health can qualify you for higher pay grades and faster advancement.

Roles include probation officer, parole officer, and correctional officer.

Community-based corrections and rehabilitation roles are increasingly in demand.

Why Russell Sage: Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in corrections and rehabilitation, with the option to continue for a master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections.

Work in private practice, government, or nonprofit sectors

Median annual salary for attorneys: $151,160 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Why Russell Sage: 3+3 pathways with Albany Law School or Suffolk University Law School allow you to start law school early.

Support individuals with mental health concerns or substance use disorders.

Why Russell Sage: Seamlessly transition into Sage graduate programs that meet New York licensure and certification requirements.

Kimberley Wallace

“I did better in law school than I did in college, thanks to the great preparation I had.”

Kimberley Wallace, J.D.
Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions — Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree

Yes! Transfer students play an important role in our college community, and our articulation agreements with community colleges help maximize transferable credits. Last fall, transfer students made up about 45% of incoming undergraduates. Transfer students can access merit scholarships, a generous credit policy, and a supportive campus community — reasons Russell Sage has been named to the Transfer Honor Roll six years running.on of each incoming class

Students in the program build a strong foundation, explore specialized topics, and gain practical experience.

Foundation courses include:

  • Criminal Justice Functions & Processes
  • Introduction to Law
  • Introduction to Psychology

Depth courses include:

  • Ethics in Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science
  • Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science
  • Criminology

Pathway courses may include:

  • Legal Analysis & Writing
  • Psychology and Law
  • Cybercrime

The capstone seminar is the final-year course where you bring together everything you’ve learned as a criminal justice major and apply it to a real-world problem or research project. The course is hands-on, often involves working with a faculty mentor or classmates, and prepares you for a career or graduate study.

Absolutely! You don’t have to be 100% sure about your career before starting your bachelor’s degree. Russell Sage’s Criminal Justice, Law & Behavioral Science program is interdisciplinary and will prepare you for a range of entry-level professional positions or graduate programs. Plus, you’ll also find resources — like the Career and Self-Discovery Center — to help you explore your options and make career decisions.

Yes! A B.S. in Criminal Justice is a solid starting point if you’re interested in a mental health career — especially in settings like criminal justice, addiction treatment, or social services. It also provides the knowledge and prerequisites needed for many graduate programs in counseling, psychology, and related fields.

Related Resources — Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Explore Related Posts

Have questions about a Criminal Justice, Law & Behavioral Science Degree?

Marisa Beeble
Marisa L. Beeble
Professor of Psychology
beeblm@sage.edu
Jeffrey Golden
Jeffrey Golden, M.S., J.D.
Assistant Professor of Practice in Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science; Program Director, M.S. in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections
cjcc@sage.edu
Christina Lane
Christina Lane
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science
lanec3@sage.edu

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