Criminal Justice

Students who complete this program earn an Associate in Applied Science degree. The Criminal Justice A.A.S. degree program is designed to prepare graduates to enter immediately into a variety of criminal justice professions such as local and State law enforcement, corrections, and private sector investigative and public safety occupations. The program is also designed to benefit current criminal justice practitioners seeking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities to better perform their respective public or private service responsibilities and increase promotion opportunities.

The A.A.S. degree program is comprised of an increased blend of job‐specific criminal justice course offerings with a reduced concentration of general and liberal arts courses of study. This program offers an optional concentration in forensic investigations through elective course selection. Students who successfully complete the A.A.S. degree in criminal justice may also continue pursuing a baccalaureate degree; however, transfer polices vary, and students should be aware that additional coursework in the general and liberal arts education areas are likely to be required at a four‐year college.

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Program Outcomes

At the completion of the AAS in Criminal Justice Degree program a student will be able to:

• Demonstrate basic knowledge and an understanding of the structures and operation of law and the criminal justice process and how each of the sub-systems operates individually and integrate as a whole system;
• Contrast a variety of perspectives on the critical relationship between the community and its protectors and examine issues and strategies that will strengthen the relationship between citizens’ and public service professionals; 
• Demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to the moral, ethical, and legal obligations of criminal justice professionals;
• Describe fundamental constitutional dimensions and be able to apply knowledge of the authority and limitations of criminal justice practitioners;
• Evaluate scientific and legal principles and procedures for identifying, gathering, examining, preserving, and presenting forensic evidence at various phases during the investigative process;
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate using multiple mediums (oral & written) individually and collectively while working productively with others;
• Utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to formalize, present and defend logical arguments.