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Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

Degree:  Associate of Applied Science
Major:  Criminal Justice

For more information, contact the Social Science and Education division at 615-230-3231.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree is for students wanting to complete an associate degree and find employment after graduation, with no intention of transferring to a four-year university or college. The AAS is a multi-disciplinary degree program with courses in criminal law, investigation, corrections, terrorism, policing, and report writing; preparing students for entry level careers in the criminal justice field. Fast track options available.  For additional information about this degree program, go to www.volstate.edu/CriminalJustice

The Criminal Justice Technical Certificate and the Correctional Officer Technical Certificate are embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice.  Courses in these certificates may be used to award this degree.

All students graduating with an A.A.S. degree in Criminal Justice are required to take the Criminal Justice Exit Exam and the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/graduation/exit-exams.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge, and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for an entry level position in the criminal justice field.

  2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the organizational structure, common legal terms, definitions, concepts, and roles of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.

  3. Students will identify individual rights as they apply to government and law enforcement interaction.

  4. Students will be able to analyze evidentiary and investigative procedures.

CIP Code: (27) 43.0104.00   SOC Code: 33-3011.00

General Education Requirements - Credits (15-16)

  • COMM 2025 - ^Fundamentals of Communication Credits: (3)

  • OR COMM 2045 - ^Public Speaking  Credits: (3)

  • ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  Credits: (3)
  • Mathematics  Credits: (3-4)​

  • OR Natural Science  Credits: (3-4)

  • Social/Behavioral Sciences  Credits: (3)

Major Core Course Requirements - Credits (33)

  • CRMJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1020 - Introduction to the Legal Process Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1311 - Criminal Law Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1340 - Criminal Investigation Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1355 - Understanding Terrorism Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1360 - Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2010 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2020 - Introduction to Corrections Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2312 - Criminology Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2340 - Investigative Report Writing Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2390 - Probation and Parole Credits: (3)

CRMJ Electives - Credits (12)

  • CRMJ Electives (Choose from the following list or consult with the Program Advisor for approved course options) Credits: (12)

​ CITC 2352 - *Digital Forensics  Credits: (3)
CRMJ 1325 - Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice  Credits: (3)
CRMJ 1341 - *Physical Defensive Tactics  Credits: (4)
CRMJ 1381 - *Interview and Interrogation  Credits: (3)
CRMJ 2311 - Juvenile Justice  Credits: (3)  
CRMJ 2381 - Selected Topics in Criminal Justice  Credits: (1-6)
CRMJ 2396 - Criminal Justice Internship I  Credits: (3)
HED 200 - First Aid and Safety/CPR  Credits: (3)

Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60-61)

Recommended Schedule

This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.

See your advisor to create a degree plan. DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (15)

  • CRMJ 2020 - Introduction to Corrections Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1340 - Criminal Investigation Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2010 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ Elective (Choose from list above - CRMJ 1325  and CRMJ 1341  Preferred) Credits: (6)

First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)

  • ENGL 1010 - ^English Composition I Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2340 - Investigative Report Writing Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1355 - Understanding Terrorism Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2312 - Criminology Credits: (3)

Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits (15-16)

  • CRMJ 1360 - Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1311 - Criminal Law Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ Elective (Choose from list above - CITC 2352  Preferred) Credits: (3)
  • Mathematics  Credits: (3-4)
    OR Natural Science   (BIOL 1030   Preferred) Credits: (3-4)
  • CRMJ 2390 - Probation and Parole Credits: (3)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)

  • CRMJ 1020 - Introduction to the Legal Process Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ Elective (Choose from list above - CRMJ 2311  Preferred) Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  (ENGL 2860  or THEA 1030  Preferred) Credits: (3)
  • Social/Behavioral Sciences  (PSYC 1030  Preferred Credits: (3)
  • COMM 2025 - ^Fundamentals of Communication Credits: (3)

  • OR COMM 2045 - ^Public Speaking  Credits: (3)