Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

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**Students enrolled prior to April 1, 2024, click here for the AS/AAS Criminal Justice Program Outline.

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. The program emphasizes the importance of community relationships, diversity, and crisis intervention while preparing students to pursue employment opportunities in various criminal justice environments such as law enforcement, courts, adult and juvenile corrections, public safety, loss prevention, private investigations, or community-based programs and services. Some positions within the field may require additional education, training, or graduation from an academy. Upon completion of this degree, students are eligible to continue into the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

(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. Analyze the impact of criminal justice policy on various populations.

2. Explain investigative techniques and evidence collection procedures for various criminal offenses.

3. Analyze the interrelationship between law enforcement, our judicial system, and correctional agencies.

4. Evaluate social and ethical issues affecting public safety personnel.

Program Content

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

Required Courses

All courses, 37.00 semester credit hours, are required.

BH 200 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 105 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 115 - Criminal Law Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 120 - Introduction to Criminology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 130 - Introduction to Law and Judicial Process Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 140 - Report Writing and Communication Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 200 - Introduction to Corrections Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 215 - Crisis Intervention Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 220 - Ethics in Law Enforcement Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 230 - Evidence Forensics Semester Credit Hours: 4.00
CJ 240 - Patrol Procedures Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
CJ 250 - Juvenile Justice Semester Credit Hours: 3.00

Open Electives Courses

A minimum of 3.00 semester credit hours of open electives is required.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this associates degree must complete a minimum of 18.00 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. Courses transferred from other accredited colleges may also be used to meet these requirements.

EN 104 - English Composition I Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
EN 111 - Information Literacy Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
HU 140 - Cultural Diversity Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
MA 109 - College Algebra Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
SC 270 - Environmental Literacy Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
PS 101 - Psychology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 *
*Required Course

Personal and Professional Development Courses

All courses, 2.00 semester credit hours, are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I Semester Credit Hours: 1.00
PD 202 - Professional Development II Semester Credit Hours: 1.00