Criminal Justice | A.A.S.

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The Criminal Justice degree is a two-year program designed to provide a broad educational background for students who are interested in understanding the complexities of the criminal justice system. The program is intended to serve individuals who are seeking entry-level positions, especially in local and state law enforcement agencies; juvenile and adult corrections; probation and parole; and public and private security agencies. This program equips students to become law enforcement or corrections officers. In addition to the technical skills and content, general education courses help students to better handle social issues while performing their jobs.

This program further educates students who complete the Basic Peace Officer Academy at Edison State and who have passed the Ohio Basic Peace Officer Certification examination. Students who wish to first take the degree requirements may select the Basic Peace Officer Academy at conclusion of the program. The Academy has special admission requirements and a special application process . Graduates of this program planning to continue their education at a four-year institution will find easy transfer to most institutions. Students should tailor their Edison State program closely with the requirements of the four-year institution.

Program Outcomes ►
The student will
►appreciate the value of general education in any criminal justice environment;
►communicate effectively, meeting the standards for criminal justice performance;
►develop proficiency in carrying out the skills required of a criminal justice officer;
►use current knowledge of criminal justice practices to meet the demands of the work environment;
►think critically to meet the requirements of the criminal justice profession;
►practice the ethical standards of the criminal justice profession;
►show professionalism and effective interpersonal skills as a part of the criminal justice team and a member of the criminal justice profession;
►demonstrate an understanding of and develop an appreciation for the continuous learning required to practice in the criminal justice field; and
►accept diversity in the criminal justice environment and assess the ability to provide criminal justice services equally to all clients.

Semester 1

CIT 110S Computer Concepts and Applications	3		►Meet with advisor to establish student education plan, two-way communication and academic partnership. ►Advisor and student agree on schedule for Semester 2.
COM 121S Fundamentals of Communication	3
CRJ 111S Introduction to Criminal Justice	3	C
ENG 121S Composition I	3
PSY 121S Introduction to Psychology	3
Credit Hours	15

Semester 2

CRJ 112S Criminal Law	3	C	►Student to meet with transfer advisor at four-year school for proper selection of writing elective.
PHI 123S Introduction to Ethics	3
PLS 122S State & Local Government	3
SOC 115S Juvenile Delinquency	3
SOC 121S Introduction to Sociology	3
Writing Elective¹	3
Credit Hours	18
¹To be chosen from ENG 125S, BUS 223S or ENG 122S.

Semester 3

CRJ 113S Intro to Corrections and Jail Operation	3	C	►Student should meet with Career Services. ►Student to meet with transfer advisor at four-year school for proper selection of electives.
PSY 221S Abnormal Psychology	3
Math Elective ¹	3
Technical Elective²	3
Credit Hours	12
¹Refer to AAS general education requirements. ²Select from ART 160S, CRJ 211S, CRJ 212S, CRJ 299S, SSV 212S, SSV 214S, SSV 237S or REL 121S.

Semester 4

POA 270S Police Officer Academy I ♦	8	C	►Student to submit graduation application. ►Advisor to review student education plan to ensure graduation readiness. ►Academies begin in July and January. Application packets must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to start.
POA 275S Police Officer Academy II ♦	8	C
Credit Hours	16

Total Credit Hours | 61

♦ Students who do not wish to attend the police officer academy may substitute alternate coursework to tailor the degree to fit their professional goals. Alternate coursework includes, but is not limited to CRJ 211S, CRJ 212S, SSV 211S, SSV 212S, SOC 225S, PSY 225S, PSY 227S, PSY 230S or PLS 225S.