Administration of Justice - Associate of Applied Science (Major Code - AJS)

The Administration of Justice Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to prepare students for a career in the criminal justice profession or for transfer to a university Bachelor of Applied Science degree program. The degree also provides additional training to certified law enforcement and corrections professionals.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

  • Describe the history of criminal justice in the United States and in historically significant global societies, and explain its impact upon the modern day criminal justice system in the United States.
  • Describe the organization and characteristics of the United States system of criminal justice, to include law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and juvenile justice.
  • Define and effectively use civil law, criminal law, law enforcement, court or judicial, and juvenile justice terminology.
  • Describe the fundamental ethical characteristics required in the criminal justice profession, and demonstrate critical reasoning in the application of ethics to common criminal justice ethical dilemmas.
  • Describe, and utilize in critical analysis scenarios, the social and legal definitions of crime, the societal and psychological precursors of crime, and the various categories of crime.
  • Describe the relationship of socio-economic status, gender, and race and ethnicity to the definition of crime, and to adjudication and sentencing.
  • Identify current and emerging innovations in the criminal justice system to include technology and scientific advances.
  • Describe career opportunities within the criminal justice field.

Degree Map

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 18-19 CREDITS

Composition 6 credits

ENG 101Composition**

3

ENG 102English Composition**

3

Mathematics 3-4 credits

MAT 142College Mathematics**

3

or higher (3-4 credits)

Liberal Arts 6 credits

SOC 160Sociology of Race and Ethnicity***

3

Liberal arts

3

Technology Literacy 3 credits

CIS 116Computer Essentials*

3

OR

CIS 120Introduction to Information Systems**

3

CORE CURRICULUM 26 CREDITS

AJS 101Introduction to Administration of Justice**

3

AJS 109Substantive Criminal Law*

3

AJS 225Criminology*

3

AJS 230The Police Function*

3

AJS 240The Correction Function*

3

AJS 260Procedural Criminal Law*

3

AJS 275Criminal Investigations

3

COM 102Essentials of Communication**

3

OR

COM 204/AJS 204Elements of Intercultural Communication**

3

Physical Education

2

ELECTIVES (AS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE DEGREE)

TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 60 CREDITS