The Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare students for careers in both the criminal and juvenile justice systems, as well as in the private sector. This program equips students to enter the workforce as a criminal justice professional upon completion of the degree or to transfer to a four-year institution to complete coursework for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, economic crime investigation, homeland security, or related fields. It provides a broad foundation in criminal justice while emphasizing general education, critical thinking, and practical, hands-on skills for criminal justice careers. Proper selection of curriculum electives allows students to explore other academic disciplines, such as political science, sociology, or public administration. This program is also suitable for students considering law school.
- Explain the roles and functions the police, courts, and corrections in the U.S. justice system.
- Demonstrate knowledge of law enforcement practices, criminal investigations, and corrections procedures.
- Analyze key laws, constitutional rights, and ethical principles in criminal justice.
- Examine how biological, psychological, and social factors influence crime and criminal behavior, consider diverse perspectives, and apply them to real-world situations
- Develop skills for handling crisis situations, de-escalation techniques, and working in high-stress environments.
- Apply research methods and critical thinking to criminal justice issues, formulate and present logical arguments, and defend them both orally and in writing.
- Develop strong oral and written communication skills for academic and professional settings to interact with diverse individuals, conduct interviews, document cases, and present information.
It is highly recommended that the following criteria be met to begin this program, and it is REQUIRED by the completion of 24 credits:
12th-grade reading level is required. Placement test scores must indicate readiness to begin EN 101-Composition.
Competency in Pre-Algebra or Pre-Statistics is required.
45 Semester Hours
16 Semester Hours