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Associate in Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option

The Associate in Science Degree -Criminal Justice Option actively prepares students for professions in legal, policing, corrections, and support positions. The curriculum blends scientific theories, facts, and practical knowledge giving students a comprehensive approach to the complex criminal justice system. Additionally, the faculty incorporate current issues and trends into coursework.

Overview

Two officers inspect underneath a vehicle that is above them. One shines a flashlight.

The Associate in Science with Criminal Justice Option is a major within the School of Professional Studies. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

Degree Requirements:

  • General Education Courses
  • Major Courses
  • Electives

Degree available DSUlive and online

Student Learning Outcomes

Criminal Justice graduates will:

  1. Analyze, interpret, and use data and information in learning and research. (This learning outcome directly addresses institutional learning outcomes III, IV, V, VI, and VII.)
  2. Use technology as both a learning and professional application tool. (This learning outcome directly addresses institutional learning outcomes VI and VII.)
  3. Communicate ideas clearly through visual, verbal, and written forms using graphs, models, and the vocabulary specific to criminal justice. (This learning outcome directly addresses institutional learning outcomes IV, V, VI, and VII.)
  4. Demonstrate an ability to build upon and apply criminal justice knowledge and skills in various settings and environments. (This learning outcome directly addresses institutional learning outcomes II, V, VII, and X.)

Career Options

Why should you pursue an Associate in Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option?

The Associate in Science degree in criminal justice provides the skill set needed for numerous occupations in law enforcement, corrections, parole and rehabilitation, and a number of other jobs in this growing field.

Possible Career Paths

  • State and Local Law Enforcement
  • Forensic Specialist
  • Corrections
  • Case Management
  • Bail Bonds Services
  • Emergency Dispatcher

Requirements

General Education Course Requirements

Group I (A) ENGL 110 or ENGL 111H* 3
Group I (B) ENGL 120 or ENGL 121H* 3
Group I (C) COMM 110 or COMM 111H* 3
Group II (A) CSCI 101 3
Group II (B) COMM 216 (Recommended) 3
Group II (C) SOC 110 or SOC 115 (Recommended) 3
Group II (D) Well-Being 2
Group III (A) Creative Expressions 3
Group III (B) Literature 3
Group III (C) MATH 103 (Recommended) 4
Group III (D) Social Science 3
Group III (E) Natural Science 4
General Education Elective POLS 115 (Recommended) 3
Total Credit Hours:40

Core Courses

CJ 201The Criminal Justice System

3

CJ 210Policing in America

3

CJ 253Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

3

CJ 330Courts and Criminal Procedure

3

CJ 341Criminal Law

3

CJ 351Introductions to Corrections

3

CJ 365Ethics in Criminal Justice

3

Total Credit Hours:21

Total Credit Hours:61

Semester Sequence

First Semester

CJ 201The Criminal Justice System

3

CJ 330Courts and Criminal Procedure

3

ENGL 110College Composition I

3

UNIV 100Freshman Seminar

1

General Education Natural Science Course/Lab

4

General Education Global Perspectives Course

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Second Semester

COMM 110Fundamentals Of Public Speaking

3

CSCI 101Introduction To Computers

3

ENGL 120College Composition II

3

CJ 365Ethics in Criminal Justice

3

General Education Well-Being Course

2

General Education Human Behavior and Governance Course - SOC 115 recommended

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Third Semester

CJ 351Introductions to Corrections

3

CJ 201The Criminal Justice System

3

General Education Creative Expression Course

3

General Education Literature Course

3

General Education Social Science Course

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester

CJ 385Criminology

3

CJ 341Criminal Law

3

CJ 361Victims and Victimology

3

MATH 103College Algebra

4

General Education General Education Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:16