Criminal Justice Associate of Arts
Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete the first two years of a Bachelor's degree at the community college and transfer to a university to complete a Criminal Justice BA or BS. Criminal Justice, policing and correction systems are explored. Some careers require a Bachelor's degree. Studying Criminal Justice gives us a better understanding of the three main parts of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections. This program focuses closely on criminal behavior, criminal law, and constitutional law. Criminal Justice requires a willingness to be understanding of different cultures. This program introduces students to the study of Criminal Justice and includes courses that are common to all Colorado four-year institutions. Career paths for Criminal Justice degree holders lead to a variety of federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies. These include correctional institutions, juvenile corrections, treatment facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, private security, and investigation work. The Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Criminal Justice prepares students to complete the second half of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice at a four-year university.
Learn more about this program.
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
| SOC 1001 | Intro to Sociology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| COM 1150 or COM 1250 | Public Speaking (COM 1150) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 1250) | 3 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| CRJ 1010 | Intro to Criminal Justice: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| GT- HI1 | Any HIstory (GT-HI1). Prefer: US History Since Civil War (HIS 1220) or 20th Century World History (HIS 2015) or US History Since 1945 (HIS 2145) or African American History (HIS 2110) | 3 |
| CRJ 1025 | Policing Systems | 3 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| GT- SC1 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| GT- MA1 | Any Mathematics (GT-MA1). Prefer: Intro to Statistics (MAT 1260) or Math for Liberal Arts (MAT 1240) or College Algebra (MAT 1340) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
Third Semester
| CRJ 1045 | Correctional Process | 3 |
| CRJ 1027 or CRJ 1035 or CRJ 2005 or CRJ 2009 or CRJ 2030 or CRJ 2031 or CRJ 2035 or CRJ 2036 or CRJ 2057 or CRJ 2068 | Crime Scene Investigation (CRJ 1027), Judicial Function (CRJ 1035), Principles of Criminal Law (CRJ 2005), Criminal Investigation I (CRJ 2009), Criminology (CRJ 2030), Intro to Forensi Sci/Criminalist (CRJ 2031), Delinquent Behavior (CRJ 2035), CRJ Research Methods (CRJ 2036), Victimology (CRJ 2057), or Criminal Profiling (CRJ 2068)* | 3 |
| GT-SC1 or GT-SC2 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) or Natural & Physical Non-Lab Science (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GT- SS3 | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| ANT 2315 or COM 2220 or COM 2250 or PSC 1011 or PSC 1025 or PSY 2770 or PSY 2107 or PSY 2221 or PSY 2552 or SOC 2031 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology w/Lab (ANT 2315), Group Communication (COM 2220), Org Communication (COM 2250), American Govt (PSC 1011), Amer State & Local Govt (PSC 1025), Intro to Forensic Psychology (PSY 2770), Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2552), or Socio-Deviant Behavior (SOC 2031)** | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
Fourth Semester
| CRJ 1027 or CRJ 1035 or CRJ 2005 or CRJ 2009 or CRJ 2030 or CRJ 2031 or CRJ 2035 or CRJ 2036 or CRJ 2057 or CRJ 2068 | Crime Scene Investigation (CRJ 1027), Judicial Function (CRJ 1035), Principles of Criminal Law (CRJ 2005), Criminal Investigation I (CRJ 2009), Criminology (CRJ 2030), Intro to Forensi Sci/Criminalist (CRJ 2031), Delinquent Behavior (CRJ 2035), CRJ Research Methods (CRJ 2036), Victimology (CRJ 2057), or Criminal Profiling (CRJ 2068)* | 3 |
| ANT 2315 or COM 2220 or COM 2250 or PSC 1011 or PSC 1025 or PSY 2770 or PSY 2107 or PSY 2221 or PSY 2552 or SOC 2031 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology w/Lab (ANT 2315), Group Communication (COM 2220), Org Communication (COM 2250), American Govt (PSC 1011), Amer State & Local Govt (PSC 1025), Intro to Forensic Psychology (PSY 2770), Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2552), or Socio-Deviant Behavior (SOC 2031)** | 3 |
| ANT 2315 or COM 2220 or COM 2250 or PSC 1011 or PSC 1025 or PSY 2770 or PSY 2107 or PSY 2221 or PSY 2552 or SOC 2031 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology w/Lab (ANT 2315), Group Communication (COM 2220), Org Communication (COM 2250), American Govt (PSC 1011), Amer State & Local Govt (PSC 1025), Intro to Forensic Psychology (PSY 2770), Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2552), or Socio-Deviant Behavior (SOC 2031)** | 3 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| SOC 1001 | Intro to Sociology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| COM 1150 or COM 1250 | Public Speaking (COM 1150) or Interpersonal Communication (COM 1250) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 2
| CRJ 1010 | Intro to Criminal Justice: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| GT- MA1 | Any Mathematics (GT-MA1). Prefer: Intro to Statistics (MAT 1260) or Math for Liberal Arts (MAT 1240) or College Algebra (MAT 1340) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
Summer Semester 3
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 4
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
Spring Semester 5
| CRJ 1045 | Correctional Process | 3 |
| GT- HI1 | Any HIstory (GT-HI1). Prefer: US History Since Civil War (HIS 1220) or 20th Century World History (HIS 2015) or US History Since 1945 (HIS 2145) or African American History (HIS 2110) | 3 |
| GT-SC1 or GT-SC2 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) or Natural & Physical Non-Lab Science (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
Summer Semester 6
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 7
| GT- SS3 | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| CRJ 1027 or CRJ 1035 or CRJ 2005 or CRJ 2009 or CRJ 2030 or CRJ 2031 or CRJ 2035 or CRJ 2036 or CRJ 2057 or CRJ 2068 | Crime Scene Investigation (CRJ 1027), Judicial Function (CRJ 1035), Principles of Criminal Law (CRJ 2005), Criminal Investigation I (CRJ 2009), Criminology (CRJ 2030), Intro to Forensi Sci/Criminalist (CRJ 2031), Delinquent Behavior (CRJ 2035), CRJ Research Methods (CRJ 2036), Victimology (CRJ 2057), or Criminal Profiling (CRJ 2068)* | 3 |
| ANT 2315 or COM 2220 or COM 2250 or PSC 1011 or PSC 1025 or PSY 2770 or PSY 2107 or PSY 2221 or PSY 2552 or SOC 2031 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology w/Lab (ANT 2315), Group Communication (COM 2220), Org Communication (COM 2250), American Govt (PSC 1011), Amer State & Local Govt (PSC 1025), Intro to Forensic Psychology (PSY 2770), Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2552), or Socio-Deviant Behavior (SOC 2031)** | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 8
| CRJ 1027 or CRJ 1035 or CRJ 2005 or CRJ 2009 or CRJ 2030 or CRJ 2031 or CRJ 2035 or CRJ 2036 or CRJ 2057 or CRJ 2068 | Crime Scene Investigation (CRJ 1027), Judicial Function (CRJ 1035), Principles of Criminal Law (CRJ 2005), Criminal Investigation I (CRJ 2009), Criminology (CRJ 2030), Intro to Forensi Sci/Criminalist (CRJ 2031), Delinquent Behavior (CRJ 2035), CRJ Research Methods (CRJ 2036), Victimology (CRJ 2057), or Criminal Profiling (CRJ 2068)* | 3 |
| ANT 2315 or COM 2220 or COM 2250 or PSC 1011 or PSC 1025 or PSY 2770 or PSY 2107 or PSY 2221 or PSY 2552 or SOC 2031 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology w/Lab (ANT 2315), Group Communication (COM 2220), Org Communication (COM 2250), American Govt (PSC 1011), Amer State & Local Govt (PSC 1025), Intro to Forensic Psychology (PSY 2770), Human Sexuality (PSY 2107), Social Psychology (PSY 2221), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2552), or Socio-Deviant Behavior (SOC 2031)** | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Science than are listed, it will reduce the 2 elective credits needed.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) and ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) and gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement, you must choose two gtPathway Arts & Humanities courses from two different categories (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, or GT-AH4).
*Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you must select two additional required CRJ courses to complete the Associate of Arts (AA) degree. The additional required CRJ courses are: CRJ 1027, CRJ 1035, CRJ 2005, CRJ 2009, CRJ 2030, CRJ 2031, CRJ 2035, CRJ 2036, CRJ 2057, or CRJ 2068.
**Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you must select threeadditional requiredANT, COM, POS, PSY, or SOC courses to complete the Associate of Arts (AA) degree. The additional required ANT, COM, POS, PSY, or SOC courses are: COM 2220, COM 2250, POS 1011, POS 1025, PSY 2770, PSY 2107, PSY 2221, PSY 2552, or SOC 2031. CNG 2058 (Digital Forensics) can apply to this degree. However, CNG 1032 (Network Security Fundamentals, 3 credits) must be taken prior CNG 2058. CNG 1032 (Network Security Fundamentals) requires CNG 1024 (Networking I: Networking +, 3 credits), to be taken prior to or at the same time as CNG 1032. Taking CNG 1032 and CNG 1024 will increase the total credits to 66 to complete this degree.
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you must take two gtPathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT -SC1, GT-SC2). One of these courses must have the required laboratory (GT-SC1).
If you take more credits in Mathematics and Natural & Physical Sciences than are listed, it will reduce the 2 credits of electives needed.
You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your Academic Advisor to monitor your completion progress.