Description and Outcomes

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology program provides a foundation in criminological, sociological, and psychological theories. Applied knowledge, technical skills, and communication abilities gained within this program offers you the ability to pursue or advance your career in a wide range of positions in the field of criminal justice, including law enforcement, criminological research, crime analysis, the courts, adult and juvenile justice, and public safety.

If you seek a practice-based program, the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology is designed to enhance your qualifications to help you pursue more challenging responsibilities in criminal justice agencies and corporations. Upon graduation, you may seek 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. It should be noted that some positions may require additional academy training and experience.

Program Length

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology 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. Research Methods: Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and social research designs used in criminological research.
3. Policy and Procedure: Examine the interdisciplinary (psychological, sociological, and biological) foundations of criminological theory as applied to criminal justice practice, policy, and procedure.
4. Law: Apply principles of criminal law to criminal justice practice and understand the civil liabilities of criminal justice agencies and practitioners.

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 undergraduate School of General Education 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

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or nongovernmental certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. If certain licensed occupations, vocations, or professions are not explicitly listed, Purdue Global has not made a determination with respect to the licensure or certification requirements of those occupations, vocations, or professions. 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, meeting other certification requirements, or the program or the University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure.

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Program Requirements