Criminal Justice, Area of Concentration in Arts & Sciences (AA)
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:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Criminal Justice discipline, including knowledge of police, courts and corrections, and theories of crime and justice.
- Differentiate between the various components of the criminal justice system, the purposes and objectives of these components, and their roles in the community.
- Explain individuals’ motivation to commit crime in terms of various criminological theories.
- 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
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GB) (D) | 3 |
| CJ 111 or CJ 104 | Principles of Criminal Law 1 or Procedural Law and Evidence | 3 |
| PS 101 or PS 102 | American National Government (GB) or State and Local Government (GB) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| CJ 201 or CJ 103 | Police-Community Relations 1 or Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| MATH 216 | Introduction to Statistics (GM) | 4 |
| Select from: | 3 | |
| English Composition: Research Writing | ||
ENG Elective 2 | ||
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| CMST 101 or CMST 105 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) or Interpersonal Communication (GI) (D) | 3 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems (GB) (D) | 3 |
| Select from: | 3 | |
| Ethics (GAH) | ||
| Elementary Spanish I (GAH) | ||
| Elementary Spanish II (GAH) | ||
| Select from: | 4 | |
| Basic Forensic Science (GS) and Basic Forensic Science Laboratory (GL) 1, 3 | ||
Biological/Physical Lab Science (GL) | ||
| Program Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| CJ 213 | Criminology (same course as SOC 213) | 3 |
| PSY 208 or PSY 204 | Alcohol/Drugs: Impact on Behavior or Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS) 3 | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| Program Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 104 | Procedural Law and Evidence | 3 |
| CJ 111 | Principles of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 103 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Police-Community Relations | 3 |
| PSY 204 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 208 | Alcohol/Drugs: Impact on Behavior | 3 |
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)