A.S. in Criminal Justice
The A.S. Degree in Criminal Justice prepares men and women for a career of public service as a police officer, deputy sheriff, criminal investigator, or supervisor at local, state, and federal levels as well as transfer to a four year college or university. A great need exists for intelligent, well-educated personnel with a commitment toward professional growth in the justice system. The principles of criminal justice are enhanced by the range of courses in the general education pattern.
A.S. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Criminal Justice A.S. Degree will:
- Demonstrate an ability to write clearly and accurately about the administration of justice process using an appropriate vocabulary.
- Demonstrate critical and analytical thinking about issues in the administration of justice system.
- Demonstrate a comprehension and appreciation of the connections, contributions, experiences, and potential conflicts of various ethnic groups, races, and genders as they interact with the criminal justice system.
- Demonstrate an awareness of sciences and emerging technologies as it impacts the administration of justice.
Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the District General Education Pattern, CSUGE or IGETC.
If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the CSUGE or IGETC General Education Patterns. Students looking to transfer to an out of state or private college should consult with a counselor for the appropriate GE pattern selection. - Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
- Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
- Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| AJ 101 | Introduction to the Administration of Justice | 3 |
| AJ 102 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| AJ 103 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
| AJ 109 | Criminal Court Process | 3 |
| AJ 112 | Community and the Justice System | 3 |
| Select one (1) of the following courses: | ||
| Criminal Investigation | 3 | |
| Patrol Procedures | 3 | |
| Juvenile Procedures | 3 | |
| Narcotics and Vice Control | 3 | |
| Death Investigation | 3 | |
| Introduction to Probation and Parole | 3 | |
| Introduction to Corrections | 3 | |
| Control and Supervision in Corrections | 3 | |
| Correctional Interviewing and Counseling | 3 | |
| Legal Aspects of Corrections | 3 | |
| Introduction to Forensics | 3 | |
| Total Units | 18 | |
2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.
*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.
Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to the Administration of Justice | 3 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| MATH 165 or MATH 165H |
Introductory Statistics or Introductory Statistics - Honors |
4 |
| COUN 160 or COUN 204 |
Strategies for College Success or Pathways to Careers in the Social and Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| AJ 102 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| AJ 103 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
| ENGL 103 |
Composition and Critical Thinking or Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| SPCH 100 |
Interpersonal Communication or Interpersonal Communication - Honors or Public Address or Public Address - Honors or Small Group Communication |
3 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or History of Rock and Roll or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies |
3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| AJ 109 | Criminal Court Process | 3 |
| AJ 112 | Community and the Justice System | 3 |
| BIOL 105 or BIOL 105H |
General Biology or General Biology - Honors |
4 |
| KIN 170 |
Fitness for Life or Health and Wellness in Society or Health and Wellness - Honors or Introduction to Nutrition |
3 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| HIST 107 |
History of the United States before 1877 or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors or History of the United States since 1877 or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors or History of Women in the United States |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| AJ 105 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| ANTH 210 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| ASL 101 |
American Sign Language I or Chinese I or Ethnic Voices in Film or Children's Literature or Children's Literature - Honors or Literature of the Bible or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts or Great Religions of the World or Introduction to LGBTQ Studies or Spanish I |
3 |
| ASTR 115 |
Planetary Astronomy or Planetary Astronomy - Honors or Life In The Universe or Physical Oceanography or Introduction to Forest Ecology or Physical Geography or Introduction to Weather and Climate |
3 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Total Units | 63 | |
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.
To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.