Criminal Justice | A.A.S. | Part-Time

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Career Outlook

Transfer Agreements

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 the 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

COM 121S Introduction to Communication	3	►Meet with advisor to establish student education plan and academic partnership.
ENG 121S Composition I	3
PSY 121S Introduction to Psychology	3
Credit Hours	9

Semester 2

PLS 122S State & Local Government	3	►Advisor and student agree on schedule for Semester 3.
PSY 221S Abnormal Psychology	3
Mathematics Elective ¹	3
Credit Hours	9
¹Refer to AAS general education requirements.

Semester 3 [Summer]

	CIS 110S Computer Concepts and Applications	3
	PHI 123S Introduction to Ethics	3
	Credit Hours	6

Semester 4

CRJ 111S Introduction to Criminal Justice	3	C	►Meet with Career Services. ►Meet with transfer institution advisor for proper selection of electives, if applicable.
CRJ 112S Criminal Law	3	C
CRJ 113S Intro to Corrections and Jail Operations	3	C
OR
Technical Electives¹	6
Credit Hours	6-9
¹Select from ART 160S, BUS 110S, BUS 116S, BUS 221S, CRJ 211S, CRJ 212S, CRJ 213S, CRJ 299S, PSY 225S, REL 121S, SSV 111S, SSV 112S, SSV 212S, or SSV 214S.

Semester 5

SOC 115S Juvenile Delinquency	3	►Non-academy students may take a technical elective this semester instead of semester 6 or 7 to even out their credit hour load.
SOC 224S Race & Ethnicity	3
Credit Hours	6

Semester 6 [Summer]

Technical Electives¹	6		►The Academy begins in July and in January. Application packets must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to start.
Writing Elective ²	3
OR
POA 270S Peace Officer Academy I	13	C
Credit Hours	9-13
¹Select from ART 160S, BUS 110S, BUS 116S, BUS 221S, CRJ 212S, CRJ 213S, CRJ 299S, PSY 225S, REL 121S, SSV 111S, SSV 112S, SSV 212S, or SSV 214S ²Refer to AAS general education requirements.

Semester 7

CRJ 211S Criminal Investigation	3		►Submit graduation application. ►Advisor reviews student education plan to ensure graduation readiness.
CRJ 213S Criminology	3
Technical Elective¹	3
CRJ 290S Criminal Justice Capstone OR	3
CRJ 291L Internship Experience AND	2
CRJ 291R Internship Seminar	1
OR
POA 275S Peace Officer Academy II	13	C
Credit Hours	12-13
¹Select from ART 160S, BUS 110S, BUS 116S, BUS 221S, CRJ 212S, CRJ 299S, PSY 225S, REL 121S, SSV 111S, SSV 112S, SSV 212S, or SSV 214S.

Total Credit Hours | 60-62

NOTE: Students seeking employment as police officers should follow the Police Academy track in semesters 4, 6, and 7.