Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice
60.00 Semester Units, 980.5-1010.5 Clock Hours

The Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice is a comprehensive 18-month program designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers including, not only law enforcement, courts, and corrections, but also private sector employment such as private investigations, security, and victim advocacy agencies. The program emphasizes critical thinking and analysis, problem solving and decision-making, in the context of professional ethics, Constitutional protections, and citizens’ rights. Graduates will have amassed vast knowledge and skills in law enforcement procedures, correctional operations, and court systems supported by a healthy foundation of criminal justice fundamental theories and applications.

Additionally, the program offers a robust general education component intended to provide graduates with a healthy and broad base of knowledge, skills, and abilities for both personal and professional development. Graduates will have a broad exposure to the elements of the criminal justice system including structure and interrelated agencies of the criminal justice system, social theories, law, policy and procedures, correctional operations, as well as current trends and practices in the field. Graduates of the program are expected to have successfully developed the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitude to attain and succeed as a criminal justice professional in this high demand field.

The objectives of the AA Degree in Criminal Justice include:

  • Introduction to and examination of the history, structure, current trends, and future of the criminal justice system

  • Comparing and contrasting the structures, governance systems, and inter-relations of public agencies

  • Exploration of fundamental criminological and social theories

  • Review of current and historical law enforcement practices and procedures

  • Investigation of criminal law, including municipal, state, and federal judicial components

  • Development and application critical thinking and analytical skills

  • Fostering tolerance and understanding in diversity and issues of global concern

  • Increase and enhancement of intellectual knowledge and personal growth

  • Exposure to a broad-based array of general education courses that contribute to the development of well-rounded citizens as persons, professionals, and community members

  • Development and application of information technology skills

The Post 9-11 society has seen massive amounts of governmental restructuring to ensure the future safety, security, and well being of the United States and the world at large. This has opened a vast array of new and expanding positions in the field and made criminal justice one of the fastest growing careers in the nation according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Many organizations currently require a minimum of an AA in Criminal Justice for entry and/or advancement and promotional opportunities. Parole agencies have an even higher standard, requiring agents to possess a minimum of a baccalaureate. Graduates can look forward to careers in public safety, law enforcement, emergency services, corrections, and corporate/private investigation, intelligence, and security institutions.

This program serves as an excellent foundation for the B.S. degree in Criminal Justice.

See the following matrix for program course listing:

Course Semester Courses
GE 100 3.0 Personal Health, Fitness, and Well-Being
GE 201 3.0 Mathematics
GE 205 3.0 Introduction to Sociology
GE 218 3.0 College English
GE 219 3.0 American Culture, Government and Politics
GE 220 3.0 Public Speaking
GE 223 3.0 Diversity, Culture, and Ethics
GE 230 3.0 Critical Thinking
GE 231 3.0 Introduction to Ecology
GE 231a 0.5 Ecology Lab
BC 116a 2.5 Introduction to Computers & Computer Applications
CJ 201 3.0 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ 210 3.0 Correctional Operations
CJ 220 3.0 Concepts of Criminal Law
CJ 270* 3.0 Internship in Criminal Justice I
CJ 271* 3.0 Seminar in Criminal Justice I
CJ 275 3.0 Principles of Criminal Investigation
CJ 280 3.0 Fundamentals in Criminology
CJ 288 3.0 Victim and Crisis Intervention
PA 210 3.0 Governments & Intergovernmental Relations
PA 230 3.0 Communication & Correspondence in the Public Sector
PA 260 3.0 Organizational Behavior & Leadership

*Students must elect either CJ 270 or CJ 271 to meet graduation requirements.