Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science
This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://ecatalog.socc.edu.
Students pursuing a career in criminal justice have several career options in public and private corrections, security, and law enforcement arenas. Law enforcement officers may be responsible for protection of life and property, prevention of crimes, and the arrest of violators. Security personnel may be responsible for the protection of property, the prevention of crimes and the detection of those violating laws. Corrections officers may be responsible for maintaining discipline and order in prisons, jails, detention centers, and halfway houses through the supervision and control of residents. Management opportunities in criminal justice and criminal justice administration can include local, state and federal agency work. Persons competing for entry-level criminal justice employment will generally be required to complete an employment application, written and oral exam, drug and psychological screening, background investigation, polygraph, medical exam and physical ability/agility testing.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 92 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.
Courses that are developmental in nature, (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses), are not applicable to this degree.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of professional integrity and ethical standards for Oregon criminal justice professionals.
- Describe and relate the constitutional rights and responsibilities of citizens, offenders, and victims as they apply to state, federal, and procedural laws.
- Describe the processes and technology used to gather, investigate, manage, and report information in the criminal justice field.
- Identify the legal responsibilities of criminal justice professionals as they relate to cultural diversity and establishing positive community relationships.
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
MTH60 | Algebra I (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations | 3 |
CJ100 | Intro to Criminal Justice | 4 |
WR121 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
Social Science 2 | 3 | |
Elective 3 | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Winter | ||
CJ101 or CJ101H |
Intro to Criminology or Intro to Criminology w/Honors |
4 |
CJ110 | Intro to Policing | 4 |
Social Science 2 | 3 | |
Elective 3 | 3 | |
Specific Elective 4 | 3 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Spring | ||
CJ220 or CJ155 |
Introduction to Substantive Law or ROTA 1: Legal Concepts I |
4 |
MTH65 | Algebra II 6 | 4 |
SP218 | Interpersonal Communication 5 | 3 |
Social Science 2 | 3 | |
Specific Elective 4 | 3 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
CJ222 or CJ156 |
Constitutional Law or ROTA 2: Legal Concepts II |
4 |
Social Science 2 | 3 | |
Elective 3 | 3 | |
Specific Elective 4 | 3 | |
Health, Wellness, and Fitness 7 | 1 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Winter | ||
CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
CJ130 | Corrections an Introduction | 4 |
Elective 3 | 3 | |
Specific Elective 4 | 3 | |
Health, Wellness, and Fitness 7 | 1 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CJ247 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
Social Science 2 | 3 | |
Specific Elective 4 | 6 | |
Health, Wellness, and Fitness 7 | 1 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Total Credits | 92 |
1 | WR115 may be substituted. |
2 | SOC204, SOC205, SOC206 are recommended. Any course with ANTH, SOC, PSY, and PS numbered 100 or higher except 180/280 courses will satisfy this requirement. |
3 | Any course 100 level or higher not required for the degree. |
4 | Specific Elective options: Any CJ, EM course not required for the degree, HD100, or WR227. |
5 | |
6 | MTH95 or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH65. |
7 | HE250, PE231, or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses will satisfy this requirement. |
* | All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements. |