Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Criminal Justice

About The Program

Modern law enforcement is a highly competitive career field. The more education you have, the better your chance of employment and advancement. Prepare for entry-level employment in law enforcement agencies and in some correctional facilities with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice. People working within those areas can use the program to enhance their skills.

For a roadmap that identifies the preferred sequencing of courses and other specific recommendations from faculty, please see the corresponding program map(s):

Criminal Justice - AAS

Degree Requirements

Communications:

15 credits - ENGL& 101 English Composition I AND ENGL& 102 Composition II AND CMST& 220 Public Speaking.
Quantitative / Symbolic Reasoning Skills:

5 credits – MATH& 107 OR higher with the exception of MATH& 131.
Social Sciences:

5 credits – PSYC& 100 General Psychology.
Humanities/Diversity:

5 credits – HUM 104 Ethics and Cultural Values:DIV.
Natural Science with Lab:

5 credits - choose from Distribution List
Electives:

3-5 credits - Required Course: COLL 101 College Success, 2 credits; required course for new students

Program Requirements

CJ& 101	Intro to Criminal Justice	5
CJ 104	Intro to Policing	5
CJ& 105	Intro to Corrections	5
CJ& 106	Juvenile Justice	5
CJ& 110	Criminal Law	5
CJ 154	The American Legal System	5
CJ 180	Report Writing for Law Enforcement	5
CJ 184	Administration of Justice	5
CJ 187	Crisis Intervention for Professionals	3
CJ 260	Physical Evidence and Criminalistics	5
CS 110	Introduction to Microcomputer Applications	3
POLS& 202	US Government	5

Recommended Electives

SUDS 114	Suicide Assessment, Prevention, and Crisis Management	2
SUDS 288	Criminal Justice Cooperative Work Experience	Var.
COLL 289	Employment Portfolio Seminar	1
POLS 220	Law and Social Issues	5
SOC& 101	Introduction to Sociology:DIV	5

Diversity and Distribution Lists are available in the Lower Columbia College Catalog located at lowercolumbia.edu/catalog.

Total credits required to earn this degree: 94-96 with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.

Students completing this program should acquire the following skills and abilities:

Apply knowledge of criminal law in Washington State to hypothetical fact patterns (GS - Critical Thinking)
Demonstrate knowledge of constitutional law as it pertains to criminal justice (GS - Critical Thinking)
Analyze how a case proceeds through the criminal justice system (GS - Critical Thinking)
Use effective verbal and written communication skills (GS - Communications)
Demonstrate basic knowledge and application of methods of police patrol, operations, and management
Analyze numerical data as applied to criminal justice (GS - Quantitative Reasoning)
Generate satisfactory reports based on knowledge of investigative techniques, evidence gathering, searching, sketching, and on-scene interviewing
Demonstrate knowledge of the juvenile justice system
Demonstrate knowledge of skills needed in working with diverse populations and resolving conflict in a variety of situations (GS - Teamwork)
Evaluate ethics and ethical applications in criminal justice

Revised May 2023 (effective Summer 2023)

Notes:

Program planning is based on information available at the time of preparation. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with their LCC advisor for specific requirements. Consult the LCC catalog for LCC graduation requirements.

The necessity for prerequisite classes or beginning classes in a quarter other than Fall will change this plan and may extend beyond two years.