Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science
Program Description
The Criminal Justice Program is offered completely online. Students will begin to explore the field of Criminal Justice, which includes areas such as human services, social work, juvenile justice, law enforcement, corrections, parole and probation, criminal law, and the courts. Criminal Justice is a multi-faceted field and the Criminal Justice Program provides students the opportunities to acquire and practice desired career skills such as empathy, active listening, and cultural competency to engage in ethical practices that promote human and professional growth, dignity, respect and self-determination. Candidates entering the program should have excellent organizational skills, the ability to work in a team (collaborative) setting, and a genuine desire to help others.
Program Outcomes
Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice will:
- Identify the major steps of the criminal justice process and how a case proceeds through the criminal justice system, including landmark Supreme Court decisions
- Communicate effectively in the criminal justice system including written, verbal and nonverbal form
- Describe how criminal justice professionals work effectively within a diverse society
- Describe the importance of positive criminal justice interactions, with an emphasis on continuing dialogue between all aspects of the criminal justice system and all segments of the community
- Demonstrate appropriate work ethic to effectively interact with diverse persons within society with respect to culture, heritage, gender, and age
Career Considerations
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare graduates to enter occupations within the criminal justice field.
Program Course Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| CJ 101 | Intro to Criminology | 3 |
| CJ 105 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 110 | Intro to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Term | ||
| CJ 120 | Intro to Judicial Process | 3 |
| CJ 140 | Intro to Criminalistics | 3 |
| HS 102 | Addiction Pharmacology 1 | 3 |
| MTH 060 | Intro to Algebra (or higher) | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Third Term | ||
| CJ 114 | Diversity Issues in CJ | 3 |
| CJ 130 | Intro to Corrections | 3 |
| SOC 204 | Intro to Sociology | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Psychology of Human Relations 2 | 3 |
| WR 227Z | Technical Writing 1 | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Term | ||
| CJ 243 | Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs | 3 |
| CJ 261 | Intro to Parole and Probation | 3 |
| HS 227 | Understanding Dysf Families 1 | 3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology I | 4 |
| SDP 109 | Elements of Supervision 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| CJ 211 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 226 | Intro to Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LA 102 | Legal Terminology 1 | 3 |
| PSY 202 | General Psychology II | 4 |
| SOC 207 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Term | ||
| CJ 203 | Crisis Intervention Seminar | 1 |
| CJ 210 | Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| CJ 230 | Intro-Juvenile Justice System | 3 |
| CJ 240 | Criminalistics II 3 | 3 |
| COM 111Z | Public Speaking | 4 |
| SOC 225 | Social Aspects of Addiction | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Total Minimum Credits | 91 | |
- 1
See advisor for full list of elective course options
- 2
Psychology of Human Relations PSY101 or Interpersonal Communications COM218Z. PSY101 meets the human relations requirement.
- 3
Prerequisite: CJ 140 Intro to Criminalistics (3 cr.) or instructor approval
Advising Notes
- Please see your academic advisor for an individualized academic plan.
- VA students, please see academic advisor for individualized academic plan to meet funding requirements.
- A PC with MS Word 2013 or newer is required for completing all work in this program. Working knowledge of MS Word is required.
- The following courses are recommended to be taken in the summer to reduce course load during the other terms: PSY101 or COM218Z, COM111Z, MTH060 or higher, PSY201, and PSY202.