Criminal Justice - Associate of Arts Degree (AA)*

AA - 2 Years (NB)
Explore MoreAbout This Program

Degree Quick Facts

  • Instructional SchoolSocial Sciences and Public Affairs
  • Department: Public Safety
  • Program Code: CRIJ.AA
  • Program Type: Academic Transfer
  • Available Fully Online: Yes
  • Eligible for Federal Financial Aid: Yes

NOTE: Courses required for this program may have an additional fee; more information can be found on the Special Course Fees web page.

Degree Requirements

Course Course Title Min Credits
General Education Requirements
CWI 101Connecting With Ideas3
CRIJ 280Victimology (Global Perspectives)3
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1)3
ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric II (GEM 1)3
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2)3
GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing course3
GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing course 14
GEM 4 - Scientific Ways of Knowing course 23
PHIL 103Introduction to Ethics (GEM 5) 33
GEM 5 - Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing course 23
Select one of the following (GEM 6):3
Introduction to Psychology
Human Relations for Career and Personal Success
Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems
GEM 6 - Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing course 23
Major Requirements
CRIJ 101Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRIJ 102Introduction to Policing3
CRIJ 103Introduction to Law and Justice3
CRIJ 104Introduction to Corrections3
CRIJ 190Writing for Criminal Justice3
or PSYC 190 Writing for the Social Sciences
CRIJ 270Criminology3
CRIJ 290Criminal Justice Capstone3
or CRIJ 293 Criminal Justice Internship
Select elective credits to bring the total credits earned to a minimum of 60, if needed2
Minimum Credit Hours Required60
1

Must include a lab component 

2

Course must come from a different discipline.

3

This course fulfills the Ethical Reasoning requirement for an associate degree from CWI.

 *All requirements for this degree or certificate may be completed fully online.

Degree Plan

The course sequence listed below is strongly recommended in order to complete your program requirements. Please register for each semester as shown using the Student Planning tool in myCWI. Plans may be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding additional semesters. Consult your advisor for any questions regarding this course sequence plan.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
COMM 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2) 3
CRIJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CWI 101 Connecting With Ideas 3
ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1) 3
MATH 123
Math in Modern Society (Recommended GEM 3) 1,2
or Precalculus I: Algebra
3
 Total Semester Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following options (Recommended GEM 4): 2 4
Option 1:  
Concepts of Biology  
Concepts of Biology Lab  
Option 2:  
Concepts of Chemistry  
Concepts of Chemistry Lab  
CRIJ 103 Introduction to Law and Justice 3
ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II (GEM 1) 3
HIST 103
Western Civilization I (Recommended GEM 5) 2
or Elementary Spanish I
3-4
Select one of the following (GEM 6): 3
Introduction to Psychology  
Human Relations for Career and Personal Success  
Introduction to Sociology  
Social Problems  
 Total Semester Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
CRIJ 102 Introduction to Policing 3
CRIJ 104 Introduction to Corrections 3
CRIJ 190
Writing for Criminal Justice
or Writing for the Social Sciences
3
CRIJ 270 Criminology 3
GEOG 100 Physical Geography (Recommended GEM 4) 2 3
GEOG 100L Physical Geography Lab (Recommended GEM 4) 2 1
 Total Semester Credit Hours16
Spring
CRIJ 280 Victimology (Global Perspectives) 3
CRIJ 290
Criminal Justice Capstone
or Criminal Justice Internship
1-3
PHIL 103 Introduction to Ethics (GEM 5) 3 3
POLS 101
American National Government (Recommended GEM 6) 2
or Fundamentals of Social Science Research
3-4
ElectivesSelect elective credits to bring the total credits earned to a minimum of 60, if needed 0-3
 Total Semester Credit Hours13
 Minimum Credit Hours Required60
1

Criminal Justice majors are encouraged to start taking math and science classes immediately rather than waiting, and to take the Math Diagnostic for math placement upon acceptance to CWI if they did not submit ACT or SAT scores for math placement. The Math Diagnostic will inform the student if a review course such as MATH 097, MATH 098, or MATH 099 is needed prior to enrolling in their chosen GEM 3 course. 

2

This general education (GE) course is recommended by the department as the most beneficial GE option for students in this program. Please note that students may fulfill their GE requirement by completing another course from the applicable general education category.

3

This course fulfills the Ethical Reasoning requirement for an associate degree from CWI.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate familiarity with major concepts and theories, empirical findings, and/or historical trends in criminal justice.
  • Explain case flow and appeal process in the criminal justice system, including Supreme Court cases.
  • Demonstrate an understanding or application of the criminal justice system via written communication and participation in discussions about criminal justice system issues.
  • Interact with professionals in the criminal justice field through guest speakers, personal interviews, field trips, court observations, ride alongs or job shadows.
  • Apply an understanding of criminal justice to real-world problems.