Degree Offered
- Associate of Applied Science
Nature of the Program
The Associate of Applied Science In Criminal Justice Studies Degree provides students—both traditional and non-traditional—with the opportunity to complete a marketable two-year degree in criminal justice. The program is designed to prepare men and women for positions in law enforcement, the courts, community corrections, and institutional corrections. This program is also designed for those people currently working in the criminal justice system.
Graduates of this program may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Criminal Justice.
Career Opportunities
Students with this degree can secure entry-level positions in municipal, county, state, and some federal law enforcement agencies, private investigations, private security, and corrections.
Faculty
Chair
- Jeff Jones - M.S. Forestry
Year @ PSC (2003)
Professor
- Heidi B. Samuels - Ed.D. Educational Leadership & M.S. Criminal Justice
Year @ PSC (2006)
Assistant professor
- Danielle Lessard - Ph.D. Criminal Justice
Year @ PSC (2018)
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations | ||
| F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
| Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
| F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
| F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
| F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
| F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
| F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
| F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
| F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 31-37 | |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEF Elective Requirement (GEF 8) | 3 | |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric (GEF 1) | 3 |
| MATH 121 | Intro Concepts Of Mathematics (GEF 3) * | 3 |
| COMM 104 | Fundamentals of Public Communication (GEF 5) | 3 |
| CS 101 | Intro to Computer Applications (GEF 2) | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
| PSYC 281 | Introduction to Psychological Disorders (GEF 7) | 3 |
| WVUE 191 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Principles of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 225 | Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Law | 3 |
| CJ 230 | Probation and Parole Operations | 3 |
| CJ 285 | Criminal Justice Technical Writing | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Police Operations | ||
| Introduction to Corrections | ||
| Lower Level Major Elective (Select four of the following): | 12 | |
| Police Operations | ||
| Police Defense Tactics | ||
| Introduction to Corrections | ||
| Juvenile Justice | ||
| Criminal Investigation | ||
| Contemporary Policing | ||
| Adjudication Process | ||
| Analysis of Correctional Operations | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Field Practicum | ||
| Elective | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- *
MATH 121 or higher.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | CJ 202 | 3 |
| CJ 101 | 3 | CS 101 (GEF 2) | 4 |
| CJ 111 or 206 | 3 | MATH 121 (or higher: GEF 3) | 3 |
| WVUE 191 | 1 | PSYC 101 (GEF 4) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 1 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CJ 230 | 3 | CJ 225 | 3 |
| COMM 104 (GEF 5) | 3 | CJ 285 | 3 |
| PSYC 281 (GEF 7) | 3 | Lower Level Major Elective | 3 |
| Lower Level Major Elective | 3 | Lower Level Major Elective | 3 |
| Lower Level Major Elective | 3 | GEF Elective (GEF 8) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 60 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Criminal Justice Studies, A.A.S.
- The student will be able to identify the role and responsibilities of a criminal justice professional in all areas of criminal justice.
- The student will be able to identify the basic components of the criminal justice system.
- The student will be able to identify behaviors which violate the criminal code.
- The student will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats.
- The student will be able to perform individually and within groups
- The student will be able to identify and evaluate the theories of criminal behavior in both adult and juvenile criminal arenas.
- The student will be able to demonstrate the investigative techniques.
- The student will be able to work well with others and be understanding of personal differences.
- The student will be able to analyze and explain the adjudicatory process.
- The student will be able to evaluate issues of Constitutional law and identify individual rights.
- The student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of criminal procedures.