Associate Degree

Criminal Justice Degree (AAS)

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Criminal Justice Degree (AAS)

Criminal Justice Degree

The Criminal Justice Degree is designed for students who are interested in the criminal justice field, but do not want to pursue the traditional roles of Police Officer or Sheriff’s Deputy. Graduates of the program will learn the technical skills needed to enter or advance in a wide variety of positions in the criminal justice field.

Graduates earning a two-year Criminal Justice Degree from Terra State can transfer to four-year institutions to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Requirements vary depending on the student’s ultimate goal. Students interested in bachelor’s completion should contact an advisor or a representative from the Allied Health, Nursing and Human Services Division.

  • ProgramLaw Enforcement
  • Award type

    Associate Degree

  • Required credit hours

    62

View curriculum

By The 
Numbers

 Based on data for police and detectives

$63kMedian annual salary
+5%Job Outlook (2018-2028)
808,700Number of Jobs, 2018
Learning Outcomes icon

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain and analyze the origins and evolution of the criminal justice system, including policing, corrections, and criminology.
  • Differentiate and explain roles and practical functions of law enforcement officers, courts and corrections facilities.
  • Explain and apply different theories of crime, sentencing, and corrections.
  • Identify and demonstrate the ability to use technologies used in various aspects of the criminal justice system.
  • Define and discuss applications of ethical behavior within the criminal justice system.
  • Define forensic psychology and analyze the major issues surrounding the applications of psychological studies to the criminal justice system.
  • Identify and classify psychoactive drug and analyze the effects of these drugs and the challenges of intervention, enforcement, and treatment.
Potential Occupations icon

Potential Occupations

  • Communication Officer
  • Correctional Officer
  • Dispatcher
  • Guard
  • Probation Officer
  • Parole Officer
  • Juvenile Corrections Officer
Stacy Robinson
“

Former Legal Secretary changes careers to become a Patrol Officer for the City of Fremont Police Department

Stacy RobinsonBasic Law Academy and Criminal Justice, '17
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