Criminal Justice

Associate of Arts

The need for college-level training in the field of criminal justice has grown dramatically. Criminal justice agencies in all areas have recognized the value of college training for their employees. Some have made it mandatory, while many others offer incentive pay for employees with college education. Criminal justice careers can be found in a variety of forms: law enforcement/police, private detectives, insurance companies, private security, child and adult protective services, correctional officers, probation and parole officers, juvenile counselors and game wardens are among the many possibilities available. These agencies help our society operate safely and function smoothly within the realms of the law. They also play a key role in the detection of threats against our communities, and prevention of harm to our country. 

Graduates of a criminal justice program can find employment opportunities in the field at the local, state and federal levels. Most criminal justice agencies require or strongly recommend a two-year or four-year college degree as a minimum requirement for employment. After completion of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Criminal Justice, students will have the basic knowledge to enter many criminal justice agencies. Students may also transfer completed coursework to a four-year institution to become more competitive in the job market.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will identify and summarize the various components in the criminal justice system (police, courts and corrections) and how these components and the community respond to crime and society.
2. Students will identify and summarize the judicial system and process with particular emphasis on due process.
3. Students will identify and summarize the history of criminal law, its elements, definitions and applications.
4. Students will identify and summarize the components of the corrections system, their history and development, alternatives to formal corrections and the current state of the corrections system including issues being faced.
5. Students will identify and summarize the history of policing, organizational aspects of policing, community-police relationships and current issues in policing.

TSI Liable

¹

The listed Directive Electives are for students pursuing to transfer to The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Students pursuing a different transfer institution should see an advisor for selection of Directed Electives.

²

In addition to the courses in the Field of Study, the student is required to take 42 credit hours from the STC Core Curriculum.

³

Students who select a 3 credit hour Mathematics course to fulfill the Mathematics component of the Core Curriculum must take 4 credit hours to complete the Component Area Option for the Core Curriculum.

TSI Liable

100% Online

Recommended Course Sequence

¹

The Directive Electives are for students pursuing to transfer to The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Students pursuing a different transfer institution should see an advisor for selection of Directed Electives. 

²

Students must take CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective.