Criminal Justice for the Police Practitioner Certificate

The Criminal Justice for the Police Practitioner certificate program is designed to provide current and aspiring law enforcement professionals with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and ethical framework necessary to serve effectively in contemporary policing roles. The program emphasizes community engagement, procedural justice, and evidence-based practices to prepare students for the evolving demands of public safety. 

This certificate is restricted to those students who have been accepted to the police academy and successfully complete the entire New York State Basic Course for Police certified by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services. Lecture classes are taught on the SUNY Schenectady campus and some skill training would be offered at Zone 5 or in the field, as field training.

Certificate Objectives

• To prepare students for entry-level positions in law enforcement agencies or to enhance the professional competencies of current officers.
• To support career advancement by providing specialized training aligned with modern policing standards and state certification requirements.
• To serve as a stackable credential that can articulate into associate degree programs in Criminal Justice or related fields. For students who complete the certificate, all courses can be applied to the A.A.S degree in Criminal Justice. For students in the A.S. degree in Criminal Justice, all but one course in the certificate can be applied to the degree track.