Criminal Justice, AS

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No. of Credits: 60-61
Contact: Anthony Stout, Chair, Business
John Delabrer, Program Coordinator

The Criminal Justice program is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, or a related field. It also prepares students who plan to enter into the workforce to serve the community on a local, state, or federal level in the fields of law enforcement, courthouse personnel, corrections, parole and probation, juvenile justice, or criminal justice research.

The maximum number of credits accepted in transfer from other institutions to this program is 45.

View Program Website

Career Opportunities:

Sheriff’s Deputy, State Criminal Investigator, State Police Officer, Police Officer, Probation Officer, Industrial Investigator, Security Officer, and many others

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will…

Understand, articulate, and evaluate the similarities and differences between and among the components of the Criminal Justice System; Law Enforcement, Courts, and Corrections.
Apply the use of information technology in Criminal Justice System research in oral and written formats.
Identify and discuss contemporary problems of diversity and racism, historical and modern-day challenges, and legal and ethical requirements confronting the Criminal Justice System in today’s society.
Examine the different elements of the criminal law, civil law, constitutional amendment provisions and protections, and how they relate to the duties of the three components of the Criminal Justice System.
Formulate through critical analysis the nature, causes, treatment and prevention of crime.

Transfer Options

A complete list of all transfer opportunities can be found on the Transfer Services page.

Education and Public Service Pathway

Learn more about the Education and Public Service Pathway.

Visit Career Coach for more information on this program, related programs, and job opportunities in Southern Maryland and the Washington D.C. Metropolitan region.

Required Courses and Recommended Sequence:

The following is a recommended sequence of courses for completing this program. College Prep and prerequisite course requirements, credit load, and/or course availability may affect a student’s individual progress. Course availability within the program sequences is specifically intended for full-time students who begin their course work with the fall semester. Students should always consult their online program evaluation or an academic advisor to better understand typical course availability and individual program planning.

First Semester

ENG-1010 - Composition and Rhetoric* (E) (3)
ENG-1010 completed with a minimum grade of “C”
CJS-1015 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
FYS-1010 - First Year Seminar* (3)
MTH-1010 - Quantitative Literacy and Reasoning* (M) (3) or higher
POL-1010 - American Government* (B) (3)

Second Semester

History (3 credits)

Choose one of the following:

Third Semester

Biological/physical Science (3 credits)

Acceptable:

See Gen Ed Listing

Note: If pursuing forensics, choose an appropriate chemistry course.

General Education Elective (3 credits)

Acceptable:
See Gen Ed Listing

Communications (3 credits)

Choose one of the following:

Fourth Semester

CJS-2050 - Criminology (3)

Biological/physical Science with Lab (4 credits)

Acceptable:
See Gen Ed Listing
Note: If pursuing forensics, choose an appropriate chemistry course with lab.

Ethics (3 credits)

Acceptable courses:

Criminal Justice Elective (3 credits)

Acceptable:
Any CJS or HLS course not already taken

General Elective (2-3 credits)

Acceptable:
Any college level course 1001 or higher

Notes:

*Courses requiring a prerequisite or co-requisite

****Pending MHEC approval

Course Indicators: English Composition (E), Arts (A), Cultural and Global Awareness (C), Humanities (H), Biological/Physical Sciences (S), Social/Behavioral Sciences (B), Mathematics (M)