Criminal Justice AS Degree (AJ13)

The Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice provides a solid foundation in general education and criminal justice that prepares students for entry-level employment in a variety of law enforcement fields or for continued education toward a baccalaureate degree. The sequence of courses in the areas of criminal investigation and procedure, criminology, juvenile delinquency, and law enforcement allows students to gain a deeper understanding of criminal behavior and the law enforcement system. Graduates may pursue additional educational opportunities at senior institutions or pursue entry level positions in fields related to law enforcement, security (private or public), loss prevention, court administration, social services, or in a variety of fields that require a dedication to duty and a commitment to public safety.

NOTE: This degree will transfer to specific institutions within the University System of Georgia with which WGTC has articulation agreements. For further information about the terms of these agreements, as well as transferability of general education courses and occupational programs to other Georgia colleges and universities, please refer to the WGTC web page, Articulation Agreements, https://www.westgatech.edu/admissions/registrars-office/articulation-agreements/. Please consult an academic advisor for requirements specific to each institution.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue additional education opportunities at senior institutions or pursue entry level positions in fields related to law enforcement, security (private or public), loss prevention, court administration, social services, or in a variety of fields that require a dedication to duty and a commitment to public safety.

Credit Required for Graduation: Minimum of 62 credit hours

Curriculum

The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice degree requires a minimum of 47 credit hours of general education courses as specified below (all course prerequisites must be met).

General Core Courses

Area I Language Arts/Communication Requirement (minimum 12 hours)

ENGL 1101	Composition and Rhetoric	3
ENGL 1102	Literature and Composition	3
SPCH 1101	Public Speaking	3
SPAN 1101	Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture I	3
	-or-
SPAN 1102	Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture II	3

Area II Social/Behavioral Sciences Requirement (minimum 15 hours)

HIST 1111	World History I	3
	-or-
HIST 1112	World History II	3
HIST 2111	U.S. History I	3
	-or-
HIST 2112	U.S. History II	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
PSYC 1101	Introductory Psychology	3
SOCI 1101	Introduction to Sociology	3

Area III Natural Sciences/Mathematics Requirement (minimum 14 hours)

MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
MATH 1127	Introduction to Statistics	3

and

one of the three lab science sequences below (4 courses, 8 credits, total):

BIOL 1111	Biology I	3
BIOL 1111L	Biology Lab I	1
BIOL 1112	Biology II	3
BIOL 1112L	Biology Lab II	1

OR

PHYS 1111	Introductory Physics I	3
PHYS 1111L	Introductory Physics Lab I	1
PHYS 1112	Introductory Physics II	3
PHYS 1112L	Introductory Physics Lab II	1

OR

CHEM 1151	Survey of Inorganic Chemistry	3
CHEM 1151L	Survey of Inorganic Chemistry Lab	1
CHEM 1152	Survey of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry	3
CHEM 1152L	Survey of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Lab	1

Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement (minimum 6 hours)

ENGL 2130	American Literature	3
	-or-
HUMN 1101	Introduction to Humanities	3

and

ARTS 1101	Art Appreciation	3
	-or-
MUSC 1101	Music Appreciation	3
	-or-
THEA 1101	Theater Appreciation	3

Occupational Courses (minimum 15-21 credits, dependent upon accepting institution)

CRJU 1010	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CRJU 1040	Principles of Law Enforcement	3
CRJU 2050	Criminal Procedure	3
CRJU 2060	Criminology	3
CRJU 2070	Juvenile Justice	3
	-or-
CRJU 1030	Corrections	3
	-or-
CRJU 1068	Criminal Law for Criminal Justice	3

CRJU 2070: (required for UWG transfer only)

CRJU 1030: (required for CSU transfer only)

CRJU 1068: (required for CSU transfer only)