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Criminal Justice AAS - Academic Plan

2024-2025

Total Credits = 60

The Criminal Justice AAS Degree is designed for students seeking a career in Criminal Justice. Whether you want to become an emergency dispatcher, a victim / witness assistant, lawyer, probation / parole officer or a law enforcement officer, this program is a great place to start. The curriculum is strong, diverse and provides an excellent opportunity to see the criminal justice system as it actually functions, not how televisions portrays it. Students transferring to a 4-year College or university should select their elective courses only after consulting with the program Advisor to facilitate the transferability of coursework. For more information, please contact the Criminal Justice Department at 303.797.5980.

Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate leadership skills.
  • Apply critical thinking skills.
  • Display appropriate oral and written communication.
  • Discuss how the criminal justice system operates.
  • Explain individual rights, constitutional rights, and the due process procedures.

Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Recommendations

Where requirements are listed as course categories (e.g. Electives, Arts/Humanities) rather than as specific courses, please note that depending upon course choice, prerequisites may be required.

*Grade C or better required

Required Course Prerequisite, Corequisite, or Recommendation
ENG 1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1 Prerequisite: College Readiness in English
ENG 1022 - English Composition II: GT-CO2 Prerequisite: ENG 1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1 or ENG 1031 - Technical Writing I: GT-CO1
PSY 1001 - General Psychology I: GT-SS3 OR
PSY 1002 - General Psychology II: GT-SS3
Prerequisite: College Readiness in English

Recommended Course Sequence (Full-Time Track)

Year 1: Fall
Communication Course (3 credits)

~Choose One Communication Course~

~Recommended Communication Course~

Recommended Course Sequence (Part-Time Track)

Year 1: Fall
Communication Course (3 credits)

~Choose One Course~

~Recommended Communication Course~

Year 1: Summer
Psychology Course

~Choose One Course~

~Recommended Psychology Course)

Year 3: Spring

Notes

  • *This course requires college level readiness as measured by Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT scores; approved high school course work that is less than five years old; or successful completion of appropriate college-readiness course.
  • AAA 1001 – College 101: Student Experience is required for all new college students seeking degrees or transfer.
  • Course availability is subject to change.
  • Electives: Recommend COM 1250, PSY 1002, SOC 1001, SOC 1002, SPA 1011, SPA 1012, or any other Foreign Language course numbered 1011, 1012, 2011, or 2012.
  • In order to meet program requirements, students registered for ENG 1021 or ENG 1031 must also register for ENG 0094 unless they can demonstrate otherwise meeting the ENG 0094 standard through assessment testing, prior college coursework, or recent High School coursework. See an Advisor for details.
  • Recommended courses are listed above for certain electives; consult with the Academic Advising Office (advising [at] arapahoe [dot] edu or 303.797.5664) or the Criminal Justice Department for additional elective recommendations.
  • Refer to 2024/2025 catalog for specific requirements and important information about this degree. Restricted electives: Select six (6) courses from the following prefixes of: ACC, CIS, CRJ, CSC, EMS, LEA, PAR, PSY, SOC, SPA or any other General Education Guaranteed Transfer GT course.
  • The Restricted Electives may be fulfilled by those students who completed the ACC or HRPSTI Law Enforcement Academy within the last three calendar years and are currently P.O.S.T. certified. Consult department for more info.