January 2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
January 2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice


Students seeking to enroll in the ASCJ/AASCJ will be required to meet special employment criteria prior to being admitted. For specific requirements please check with the Admissions Office.

Program Description

This program provides students with comprehensive academic knowledge of criminology, law enforcement, corrections, and the criminal justice system as well as the skills and techniques used in these disciplines. This degree can also provide advancement opportunities for law enforcement personnel requiring an associate degree when applying for or advancing within the profession. (Some states, including but not limited to Minnesota, require additional certification, licensing, and/or training academy completion to be eligible for employment in a law enforcement capacity.)

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of law enforcement practices.
  2. Explain investigative techniques and evidence collection procedures for various criminal offenses.
  3. Explain the inter relationship between law enforcement, our judicial system, and correctional agencies.
  4. Articulate organizational and ethical issues affecting public safety personnel.

Potential Occupational Titles

Potential occupational titles for this program include, but are not limited to, security guards and first-line supervisors of protective service workers.

Program Content

A minimum of 60.00 semester credit hours is required for graduation.

Required Courses


All courses, 34.00 semester credit hours, are required.

General Education Requirements


Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline.

9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications

6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity)

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science 

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Personal and Professional Development Courses


2.00 semester credit hours are required.