Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Leadership in Public Service

Career Opportunities

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice prepares students for both entry and advancement in law enforcement and corrections careers. Most local police and corrections agencies require at least some college for entry-level positions. Successful candidates for advancement within agencies typically possess these minimal academic credentials. The AAS in Criminal Justice is an excellent springboard for a lifelong career in criminal justice and superior preparation for further academic study.

Careers requiring an associate degree are growing at a fast rate and employment options in criminal justice continue to expand considerably. Nationally, employment in most criminal justice areas is projected to grow as fast as or faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. In Georgia, faster than average job growth in policing is expected to continue through 2014. Because crime control persists as an important social, political and economic priority for every region of the nation, the need for educated, qualified and mature criminal justice professionals continues to outpace supply.

Program Features

The Associates of Arts degree in Criminal Justice is a multi-disciplinary academic degree designed to prepare students for professional employment in various areas of criminal justice administration. This program prepares students for a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Most of the students completing the Associates of Arts degree continue on to pursue the B.S. in Criminal Justice while maintaining full time jobs within the field.

In addition, all criminal justice faculty members hold the Ph.D in Criminal Justice with two faculty members also holding the Juris Doctorate. All faculty members are actively engaged in research, scholarship and community service.

Course of Study

The 60 hour curriculum leading to an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice includes 30 hours in core curriculum requirements in English composition, humanities, college algebra, laboratory science, American history and government, social science and physical education. An additional 30 hour concentration in criminal justice courses rounds out the curriculum and includes courses in law enforcement, corrections, criminal evidence and procedure, and criminology.