Area of Concentration in Arts & Science
Award: Associate of Arts Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Associate Professor Michelle Lieberman, 443-412-2315, mlieberman@harford.edu or Admissions, 443-412-2109.

Program Description

The A.A. degree option in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate programs with majors in Criminal Justice. This option provides students an overview of various aspects of the Criminal Justice major and prepares students to complete the last two years at a four-year institution.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the A.A. degree criminal justice program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the Criminal Justice discipline, including knowledge of police, courts and corrections, and theories of crime and justice.
2. Differentiate between the various components of the criminal justice system, the purposes and objectives of these components, and their roles in the community.
3. Explain individuals’ motivation to commit crime in terms of various criminological theories.
4. Apply the rules of criminal law and criminal procedure to make appropriate decisions identifying criminal offenses, and arresting, searching, interrogating and identifying criminal suspects.

Transfer Information

Several Maryland colleges and universities offer majors in criminal justice. Graduates of this program may apply for transfer into many colleges or universities in Maryland or to public and private colleges nationwide

Employment Information

Students interested in criminal justice are employable in many areas of law enforcement. Some frequently chosen occupations are local, state and federal law enforcement officers, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, customs and immigration inspectors, fish and game wardens, park rangers, and correctional officers.

The growth rates for criminal justice careers vary depending upon the specific career chosen. The job growth rate for police officers is expected to increase 7% for 2010-2020. For probation officers and correctional treatment specialists the growth rate is expected to be 18% for 2010-2020. For correctional officers for 2010-2020, the job growth rate is expected to be 5%. Projections are from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Degree Requirements

Recommended Course Sequence

¹

Courses should be chosen based upon the requirements of the institution to which transfer is planned.

²

ENG 209 Technical Writing is recommended for some transfer programs. Consult an advisor for more information. 

³

Students interested in forensic science as a major should reference the chemistry program in this catalog.

⁴

Program electives should be chosen from those listed and based upon the requirements of the institution to which transfer is planned.

Program Electives

General Education Degree Requirements

Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:

Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)

Part-Time Progression Plan

The part-time progression plan for programs of study has been developed as a helpful example for students to guide their academic journey. This plan outlines a likely sequence of courses and milestones over three years to help students visualize their academic path. It is important to note that this progression plan is based solely on the core requirements outlined in the approved program of study and does not include any additional requirements. Each student’s experience may vary based on their specific interests, course availability, and academic history. Therefore, students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor.

Part-Time General Education Electives

To earn an Associate degree, students must complete at least 60 college-level credits, including a required number of General Education (Gen Ed) credits:

• AA, AS, and AAT degrees require 28–36 General Education credits as part of the 60 total. This includes a minimum of:
  • 6 credits of Arts/Humanities (GAH)
  • 6 credits of Behavioral/Social Sciences (GB)
  • 3 credits of English Composition (GE) - satisfied by ENG 101 English Composition (GE)
  • 4 credits of Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
  • 3 credits of Mathematics (GM)
  • 3 credits of Biological/Physical Science (GS)
• AAS degrees require at least 18 General Education credits, including one course from each of the following categories: GAH, GB, GE, GL, and GM.

General Education courses must be selected from the college’s approved list and may be further specified by individual degree programs. Unless a General Education course is specifically required by a program, the elective General Education courses listed in the recommended sequence are intended as suggestions, not mandatory selections.

Recommended Part-Time Sequence

Program Electives