Criminal Justice (AS)

About the Criminal Justice Associate Degree

The Associate in Science in Criminal Justice program provides students with an academic foundation for entry-level careers in law enforcement, corrections, and juvenile justice in either the public or private sector. Because these careers require working closely with a diverse public, experiencing a variety of social difficulties, the curriculum provides a strong foundation of social and behavioral science courses. Through a combination of courses in criminal justice, psychology, and sociology, students gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, as well as an understanding of the processes by which behavior comes to be labeled as deviant/ criminal and methods of social control. Students gain a strong foundation in writing, learning how to write police and probation reports, as well as more scholarly writing. The Associate in Science degree program prepares students for a seamless transition into the Bachelor of Science degree program.

Learning Outcomes

This program will provide students with the opportunity to develop the following competencies and the ability to:

• Discuss the development and philosophies of the disciplines of the criminal justice system as they relate to both adults and juveniles
• Describe and analyze the present day role, responsibilities, authority, and practices of the disciplines of the criminal justice system
• Demonstrate competency in understanding the nature of the relationship between and among the disciplines of the criminal justice system
• Explain the social and political forces which impact the criminal justice system, its practitioners, and its clients
• Discuss key theories of criminal behavior
• Apply professional standards of writing and research to criminal justice issues
• Demonstrate professional competencies to meet the needs of career opportunities and requirements for employment in the disciplines of the criminal justice system

*Based on continuous enrollment of two courses every term. Time to completion may be shorter based on eligible transfer credit or longer if course enrollment varies.