Criminal Justice, Associate in Science
Criminal Justice, Associate in Science
The Associate in Science in Criminal Justice prepares students for entry-level positions as administration of justice practitioners or prepare for promotion those already in the field.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will understand the role of law enforcement, courts and correction services developing skills related to evidence procedures, juvenile procedures, and criminal law. In addition, apply principles of the justice system; constitutional and procedural considerations affecting an arrest, search and seizure, human relations and concepts of criminal law.
The purpose of the Associate in Science in Criminal Justice is to prepare non-transfer students for entry-level positions and/or provide knowledge and skill as a foundation for promotional opportunities within their agencies.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| CJ V01 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ V02 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ V03 | Community Relations and Diversity | 3 |
| CJ V05 | Criminal Procedures | 3 |
| CJ V49 | Ethics for the Criminal Justice System Professional | 3 |
| Required Core Units | 15 | |
| Required Additional Courses | ||
Select 9 to 10 units from the following: | ||
| CJ V04 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
| CJ V06 | Criminal Justice Report Writing and Courtroom Procedures | 3 |
| CJ V07 | Patrol Procedures | 3 |
| CJ V08 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJ V14 | Juvenile Law and Procedures in California | 3 |
| CJ V18 | Drug Investigation and Enforcement | 3 |
| CJ V19 | Anatomy of Murder | 3 |
| CJ V25 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| CJ V27 | Introduction to Probation and Parole | 3 |
| CJ V28 | Fundamentals of Criminology | 3 |
| CJ V30 | Victimology | 3 |
| CJ V35 & V35L | Introduction to Forensic Science and Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory | 4 |
| or ANTH V35 & V35L | Introduction to Forensic Science and Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory | |
| CJ V36 | Forensic Anthropology | 3 |
| CJ V37 | Introduction to Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CJ V38 | Crime Analytics | 3 |
| CJ V90 | Directed Studies in Criminal Justice | 1-6 |
| CJ V96 | Work Experience Education in Criminal Justice | 1-4 |
| NOTE: A maximum of 3 units can be taken across CJ V90 and CJ V96. | ||
| Required Additional Units | 9-10 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| Total Major Units | 24-25 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| VCCCD General Education Pattern | ||
| Required Major Units | 24-25 | |
| VCCCD General Education Units | 24 | |
| Double-Counted Units | (6-9) | |
| Elective Units | 17-21 | |
| Total Units for the A.S. Degree | 60 | |
Recommended Courses
In addition to the required courses listed above, it is recommended that students who seek to obtain additional insight into the field of study consider taking one or more of the following courses: COMM V01 Introduction to Speech Communication (Units: 3) (COMM C1000); SOC V03 Racial and Ethnic Group Relations (Units: 3) ; Although these supplemental courses may be of value to the student, please note that they do NOT satisfy the requirements for this degree.
This Plan of Study applies to the VCCCD General Education Pattern and illustrates one sequence of courses to meet the Criminal Justice, AS degree requirements in two years. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to design a plan of study which will best meet their specific educational needs.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| CJ V01 | Introduction to Criminal Justice (Double Count - Satisfies VCCCD GE Area 4) | 3 |
| CJ V03 | Community Relations and Diversity (Double Count - Satisfies VCCCD GE Area 6) | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (Satisfies VCCCD GE Area 1a) | 4 |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 3 | 3 | |
| Select course from Required Additional Courses | 3-4 | |
| Units/Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CJ V02 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ V05 | Criminal Procedures | 3 |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 2 | 3 | |
| Select Elective course . . . . Degree Applicable Course | 3 | |
| Select course from Required Additional Courses | 3-4 | |
| Units/Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CJ V49 | Ethics for the Criminal Justice System Professional | 3 |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 1b | 3 | |
| Select course from Required Additional Courses | 3-4 | |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 5 CJ/ANTH V35 Recommended | 3-5 | |
| Select Elective course . . . . Degree Applicable Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15-18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 7 | 3 | |
| Select Elective course . . . . Degree Applicable Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective course . . . . Degree Applicable Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective course . . . . Degree Applicable Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective course . . . . Degree Applicable Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 61-66 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the American Criminal Justice System, its obligations to the community and the scope of responsibilities of the various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies beginning with arrest, through corrections.
- Articulate the major criminological theories regarding criminal behavior, the social implications of crime and how these concepts relate to crime, criminal behavior, and victimology.
- Analyze concepts of law and utilize legal investigative proficiencies applied to preparing and presenting case work. Demonstrate the ability to translate this information to written, verbal, and electronic formats.
- Collaborate to describe the importance of standards relating to ethics, communication, and cooperation within a variety of cultures and situations in the Criminal Justice System aligned with social justice initiatives.