Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

Program Description

The field of criminal justice encompasses law enforcement, investigations, court and administrative services, corrections, private security, and juvenile justice. Each area requires individuals who can speak and write well, and who can work well with colleagues and the community. The individuals need to be skilled in management, investigative techniques, analysis of data, and critical thinking. This degree prepares students to directly enter the workforce, and also satisfies most of the requirements for transfer to four-year institutions. Prince George’s Community College has a partnership with the Prince George’s County Police Department. Graduates who complete their training at the county’s Police Academy may receive up to eighteen college credits toward their associate degree when they enroll at the college.

Graduates of the Criminal Justice A.A.S. will be able to:

• Categorize the history of the criminal justice, courts, and corrections systems in the United States
• Analyze the United States criminal justice system, criminal laws, and the rules of evidence
• Apply basic theories of police operations and community-oriented policing
• Apply the critical thinking skills needed for appropriate ethical decision-making in law enforcement-related fields
• Discuss the appropriate skills needed in communication, observation, investigation, evaluation and personal safety  in law enforcement situations
• Analyze appropriate professional standards, ethics, and leadership skills

General Education Courses

The list of general education courses appears in the General Education List . Some programs recommend or require specific courses to fulfill general education requirements. Please check your program’s sequence of study for this information.

Program Requirements

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience 1 Credit **
• CJT-1510 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits
• CJT-1520 Police Operations 3 Credits
• CJT-1530 Community Policing 3 Credits
• CJT-2510 Criminal Law 3 Credits
• CJT-2530 Criminal Investigation 3 Credits
• CJT-2540 Criminal Evidence and Procedure 3 Credits
• CJT-2580 Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credits
• CJT-2800 Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice 3 Credits
• CJT-2900 Capstone Seminar in Criminal Justice 3 Credits ***
• PSY-1010 General Psychology 3 Credits

Transferability

Credit earned at any public institution in the state shall be transferable to any other institution if the:

• Credit is from a college or university parallel course or program;
• Grades in the block of courses transferred average 2.00 or higher; and
• Acceptance of the credit is consistent with the policies of the receiving institution governing students following the  same program. Refer to ARTSYS at artweb.usmd.edu and the receiving institution’s catalog to select transferable courses.

Need Help?

For help selecting an academic program or courses, consider using Career Coach, available at www.pgcc.edu/go/careercoach.

Sequence of Study - Criminal Justice A.A.S.

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not  include developmental coursework. See Academic Preparation  for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you.

Program Total: 60 Credits

Asterisk (*) denotes a general education course.

Double asterisk (**) denotes a course that is an institutional requirement.

Triple asterisk (***) denotes a course that satisfies the culminating experience requirement for A.A.S. programs.