Program Details

• Major Name: Criminal Justice Studies
• Degree Program: Criminal Justice
• Degree Designation: AA/AAS
• College / School: Applied Sciences

The Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Studies program provides students with the opportunity to complete the first two years of a criminal justice program and to transfer those credits into a four-year program. The program also allows students to earn a degree that will improve their employability in many areas of criminal justice. The program can also be used by existing law enforcement and corrections personnel for the purpose of job enhancement.

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 train men and women in law enforcement, probation and parole, and corrections. This program is also designed for those people currently working in the criminal justice system—police officers; corrections officers; juvenile, probation, and parole officers; and plant, public, and private security officers. Graduates of the AAS program may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Criminal Justice.

Graduation Requirements

In order to earn an AA or AAS in Criminal Justice Studies, a student must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective course work.

Career Outcomes

Students with this degree often secure positions in municipal, county or state law enforcement; as corrections officers or counselors; and as probation officers. Entry-level federal law enforcement positions can be secured with completion of a bachelor’s degree.