Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Description and Outcomes

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare you with applied knowledge, technical skills, communication abilities, and general knowledge to pursue a wide range of entry-level positions in the field of criminal justice. Upon graduation, you may pursue employment opportunities in various criminal justice environments such as law enforcement, courts, adult and juvenile corrections, corporate security, public safety, loss prevention, private protective services or investigations, or community-based programs and services. Some positions may require additional academy training and experience.

Program Length

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program consists of a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded an associate of applied science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

  1. Criminological Theory: Demonstrate an understanding of biological, sociological, and psychological theories of crime causation and discipline-specific evaluations of human behavior.
  2. Law: Demonstrate the ability to apply principles of criminal law to criminal justice practice and understand the civil liabilities of criminal justice agencies and practitioners.
  3. Program-Specific Competencies: Demonstrate the ability to apply program-specific competencies to entry-level criminal justice practice.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Please refer to school-specific policies and the Policy Information section for general Purdue Global policies.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice does not lead to employment as a corrections officer in the state of Minnesota. If you are interested in becoming a licensed peace officer, additional training is required in the state of Minnesota.