Criminal Justice A.A.S. Degree

Program Description

Finish your Criminal Justice A.A.S. Degree in just two years with these challenging, hands-on courses. Students will get a first-hand look into the current industry technologies, methods and law enforcement practices. A fleet of new, state-of-the-art squad cars gives students a driver’s seat view into law enforcement. Because of a close partnership between area law enforcement and the college, students have a wide selection of choices for internships. With this A.A.S degree, you can pursue law enforcement careers in areas such as police officer, deputy, state patrol, conservation officer, or corrections officer.

Program Outcomes

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge of structure, process and relationships between law enforcement, the courts and correctional systems;
Apply tactical skills, weapon safety, defense and arrest tactics, vehicle operation, crisis management and force options;
Process crime scenes from preliminary stage through disposition;
Function in a multicultural society as a mature, adaptable citizen, while meeting the needs and challenges of clients and communities;
Interpret and apply theory, law, policy and practice as it relates to juvenile delinquency and deviant behavior;
Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of the legislative, judicial and executive branches and how they relate to criminal law;
Apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law and Minnesota traffic code;
Demonstrate strong and effective written and oral communication skills; and
Understand the importance of ethics and ethical behavior in law enforcement.

Career Opportunities

A criminal justice degree is part of the Professional Peace Officer Education Program requirement for Minnesota Peace Officer licensing standards. All course work is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and meets the Board’s learning objectives. The degree applies for those interested in other areas of the justice system.

Transfer Opportunities

Central Lakes College has an Articulation Agreement with St. Cloud State University for transfer of Criminal Justice courses. Other colleges and universities conduct a student-by-student evaluation regarding transfer of courses and degree.

Program Admission Requirements

Students must complete and pass a background check and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) with a psychologist approved by the Program Coordinator prior to being officially admitted into the program. The background check and MMPI will be completed during the first week of classes.
Students must have completed, or be concurrently enrolled in, an Associate in Arts, Bachelors, or Criminal Justice AAS Degree from a regionally accredited institution for admission into this program.

Please see the Criminal Justice Coordinator for further information.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

Students must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required in the program;
College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College;
Courses required for Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing must be completed within three (3) years of starting the certificate;
Students must have a valid Emergency Medical Responder certification (or higher) at the time of the Post Board Exam.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html

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Program Planning Form (pdf)

Program Course Requirements

CRJU 1101     Criminal Justice………………………………………… 3 cr
CRJU 1104     Juvenile Justice………………………………………… 3 cr
CRJU 2101*+ Criminal Law…………………………………………….. 3 cr
CRJU 2102* Criminal Procedures………………………………… 4 cr
CRJU 2108     Criminal Investigations…………………………….. 3 cr
CRJU 2114+ Traffic Law……………………………………………….. 3 cr
CRJU 2124     General Evidence and Identification Prep.. 4 cr
CRJU 2140     Law Enforcement and Behavioral Science.. 3 cr

Law Enforcement Pathway
Select a minimum of 30 credits from these courses:

CRJU 1106     Corrections & Probation………………………….. 3 cr
CRJU 1109     Report Writing…………………………………………. 3 cr
CRJU 1112     Police and the Community………………………. 3 cr
CRJU 2106+ Fitness for Law Enforcement…………………… 2 cr
CRJU 2116     Science of Fingerprints…………………………….. 4 cr
CRJU 2118     Criminal Justice Photography…………………… 4 cr
CRJU 2135     Internship……………………………………………… 4-8 cr
CRJU 2160     Use of Force…………………………………………….. 2 cr
CRJU 2162     Firearms…………………………………………………… 3 cr
CRJU 2164     Patrol Practicals……………………………………….. 5 cr
CRJU 2166     Tactical Communications/Relations………… 2 cr
CRJU 2311     Basic Firearms………………………………………….. 1 cr
CRJU 2315     Post Prep………………………………………………….. 1 cr

Criminal Justice Pathway
Select a minimum of 30 credits from these courses:

CRJU 1106     Corrections & Probation………………………….. 3 cr
CRJU 1108     Community Corrections…………………………… 3 cr
CRJU 1109     Report Writing…………………………………………. 3 cr
CRJU 1112     Police and the Community………………………. 3 cr
CRJU 1125     Personal Protection Awareness……………….. 2 cr
CRJU 2106+ Fitness for Law Enforcement…………………… 2 cr
CRJU 2112     Ballistic and Firearms Identification…………. 4 cr
CRJU 2116     Science of Fingerprints…………………………….. 4 cr
CRJU 2118     Criminal Justice Photography…………………… 4 cr
CRJU 2135     Internship……………………………………………… 4-8 cr
CRJU 2311     Basic Firearms………………………………………….. 1 cr

An A.A.S. degree requires a minimum of 15 credits selected from at least three of the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Students must include the following courses:

AMSL 2420   Deaf Culture (Goals 6,7) OR
SPAN 2420    Many Faces of Mexico (Goals 6,8)…………… 3 cr
COMM 2420 Intercultural Communication (Goals 1,7)… 3 cr
ENGL 1410    Composition I (Goal 1)……………………………… 4 cr
SOCL 2405    Criminology (Goal 5)………………………………… 3 cr
SOCL 2481    Race, Ethnicity and Oppression (Goals 5,7)……………. 3 cr

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 72 CREDITS

*Denotes Prerequisites

+ These courses must be completed prior to SKILLS.