Criminal Justice
Designed for students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, law community based social services, and other criminal justice related fields and those who wish to earn a two-year degree and begin pursing occupational opportunities in the field of their choice. Prospective criminal justice practitioners should be aware that stringent entry-level requirements exist. Applicants are encouraged to consult with an advisor prior to entry into the program. Please consult with the program chair regarding changes to graduation requirements.
Associate in Arts Degree Criminal Justice
Learning Outcomes
Degree recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Define, explain and contrast the basic sociological, economical and physiological theories relating to the causation of crime
- Demonstrate how the theories relating to the causation of crime, law building and law enforcement reflect the historical context of times and culture in which they were developed
- Explain and analyze different social, legal and political responses to criminal behavior
- Define and explain the different philosophies of policing
- Determine which philosophy a police department is utilizing by analyzing process, programs and organizational structure
- Define and explain the ethics and ethical paradoxes that face criminal justice professionals
- Apply basic investigative techniques for developing solutions to crime problems
- Define and explain the basic precepts of criminal law as it applies in the state of Washington
- Define and explain the historical background and scientific research related to the “War on Drugs” in America
- Define and explain the major reform movements which have substantially impacted the policing profession in America
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this degree (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
CJ& 101 |
Introduction to Criminal Justice | 5 |
| CJ 106 |
Introduction to the American Corrections System | 5 |
| CJ& 110 |
Criminal Law | 5 |
| CJ& 112 |
Introduction to Criminology | 5 |
| CJ 202 |
Principles of Criminal Investigation | 5 |
| CJ 248 |
Ethics in Criminal Justice | 5 |
| CMST& 210 |
Interpersonal Communications | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 |
English Composition I | 5 |
| Choose 15 credits from the following: | 15 | |
| CJ 102 |
Survey of Police Organization & Administration (5 Cr) | |
| CJ 103 |
Criminal Justice Report Writing (5 Cr) | |
| CJ 200 |
Criminal Evidence & Procedures - Police Officer (5 Cr) | |
| CJ 204 |
Introduction to Constitutional Law (5 Cr) | |
| CJ 206 |
Community-Oriented Policing (5 Cr) | |
| CJ 242 |
Law & the Police in a Multicultural Society (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 10 credits from the following: | 10 | |
| ANTH& 206 |
Cultural Anthropology (5 Cr) | |
| GEOG 100 | Introduction to Geography (5 Cr) | |
| POLS& 202 |
American Government (5 Cr) | |
| PSYC& 100 |
General Psychology (5 Cr) | |
| SOC& 101 |
Introduction to Sociology (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| BUS 145 |
Business Mathematics (5 Cr) | |
| MATH& 107 |
Math in Society (5 Cr) | |
| MATH 130 | Introduction to Statistics (5 Cr) | |
| MATH 138 |
College Algebra for Business & Social Science (5 Cr) | |
| MATH& 141 |
Precalculus I (5 Cr) | |
| PHIL& 106 |
Introduction to Logic (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 10-11 credits from the following: | 10-11 | |
| ASTR& 100 |
Survey of Astronomy (5 Cr) | |
| ASTR& 101 |
Introduction to Astronomy (6 Cr) | |
| BIOL 150 | Marine Biology (6 Cr) | |
| BIOL& 160 |
General Biology I (6 Cr) | |
| BOTAN 110 | Introduction to Plant Biology (6 Cr) | |
| BOTAN 113 | Plant Identification & Classification (6 Cr) | |
| CHEM 100 |
Chemical Explorations (5 Cr) | |
| CHEM& 105 |
Chemical Concepts (6 Cr) | |
| ENVS 207 |
Field & Laboratory Environmental Science (6 Cr) | |
| GEOG 205 | Weather, Climate, Vegetation, Soils (5 Cr) | |
| OCEA& 101 |
Introduction to Oceanography (6 Cr) | |
| Choose 10 credits from the following: | 10 | |
| CJ 109 |
Introduction to Juvenile Justice System (5 Cr) | |
| CJ 253 |
Drug Use & the Law in American Society (5 Cr) | |
| GEOG 250 | Geography of the Pacific Northwest (5 Cr) | |
| PSYC 250 |
Cross Cultural Psychology (5 Cr) | |
| Total | 90-91 | |
Courses marked with a symbol changed course number and/or title begining summer 2008 to reflect a new common course numbering system. Courses with previous number/title are still applicable. Learn more about Common Course Numbering.
Professional or technical program offerings and course requirements listed in this website may be altered by the college to reflect the needs of industry, student interests and availability of resources.