Criminal Justice

State Control Number: 04967
Program Code: CRJU.VVCGE.AS or CRJU.CALGETC.AS
Program Length: 24 months
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes

All areas of Criminal Justice associate degree require that individuals possess the personal and physical qualities essential to become effective peace officers. Many employment opportunities currently exist for individuals desiring entrance into law enforcement, the court system, and corrections-related fields at various governmental levels.

The Criminal Justice associate degree program is designed to develop a student’s understanding of the various operational functions within the criminal justice system. The educational emphasis will be the examination of crime causation, functions of law enforcement, the criminal court system, and corrections. Students majoring in this subject area can prepare themselves for careers in law enforcement, community and custodial corrections, the judiciary, and security at both the operational and administrative levels.

Requirements

To earn this degree, complete all of the following graduation requirements:

• 60 minimum degree-applicable units (including a maximum 4 units of activity) and 12 degree-applicable units through VVC;
• the major coursework with "C" grades or higher;
• the VVC General Education (plus American Institutions and Kinesiology Competencies) or CalGETC pattern; and
• 2.0 minimum overall degree-applicable GPA.

Courses may be double-counted in the major, general education, and/or competencies. Courses counted towards one AA/AS major may be used in another AA/AS major.

The Criminal Justice major requires 18 units from any Criminal Justice courses or from any courses offered for a certificate in this discipline. CJ 138 may be used as elective credit, but may not be used to fulfill major requirements.

Program Map

Suggested Plan of Study

Career, salary, and labor market data information.