female next to police car

Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

The Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare students for career entry or career advancement in criminal justice agencies. This program is particularly useful for those pursuing careers with local and state law enforcement agencies, and it can also prepare students for entry-level correctional and private security positions. The Criminal Justice degree requires 64 credits in program requirements, program electives, electives and general education in the courses listed below.

For more information about Justice Studies, please visit the program page.

Degree Requirements

Field of Study Code: CRIMJ.AAS

Program Requirements
CRIMJ 1100Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRIMJ 1151Constitutional Law3
CRIMJ 2150Multiculturalism and Diversity3
Program Electives
Select 12 credits from any 1000- or 2000-level Criminal Justice courses 112
Electives
Select 21 credits from any 1000- or 2000-level courses 121
General Education
Select 22 credits 122
Total Credits64
1

In addition to the courses listed above.

General Education Requirements

For general education requirements for the A.A.S. degree, please visit the A.A.S. degree catalog page.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredits
CRIMJ 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRIMJ 1145 Introduction to Homeland Security 3
ENGLI 1101
or ENGLI 1105
 English Composition I
or Workplace Writing
 3
Gen EdMathematics 3-5
Gen EdHumanities and Fine Arts 3
 Credits15-17
Second Semester
CRIMJ 1151 Constitutional Law 3
SPEEC 1100 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
CRIMJ 2231 Criminology 1 3
Gen EdPhysical and Life Sciences 3-5
PHYS 2251 Living With Health 2 3
 Credits15-17
Summer Semester
ElectiveElective 3 3
 Credits3
Third Semester
CRIMJ 2150 Multiculturalism and Diversity 3
CRIMJ 1130 Introduction to Corrections 1 3
Gen EdSocial and Behavioral Sciences 3
ElectiveElective 3 3
ElectiveElective 3 3
 Credits15
Fourth Semester
CRIMJ 2240 Juvenile Delinquency 1 3
ElectiveElective 3 3
ElectiveElective 3 3
ElectiveElective 3 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits60-64
1

Recommended Program Elective.

2

Recommended Elective. PHYS 2251 Living With Health emphasizes stress management, nutrition, fitness and overall wellness – essential for public service professions.

3

For general electives, faculty recommend that you take courses toward a stackable credential (i.e. Homeland Security, Forensics, or Private Security Certificate courses)

Program Milestones

First Semester

  • Consider joining or visiting with a professional, cultural or interest-based Student Club.
  • Make an appointment with a full-time faculty member to discuss course selections and co-curricular activities.
  • Join the Academy of Law and Criminal Justice Club / Chi Upsilon Honors Society.
  • Declare the credentials you desire to complete.
  • Schedule Math and English placement tests as necessary prior to the start of the semester.

Second Semester

  • If you have not done so yet this semester, it is important to make an appointment with a Faculty or Program Advisor to discuss your future academic progress.

Fourth Semester

  • Formally apply for degree and certificate credentials.