Criminal Justice Technology AAS
Program Description
The Associate in Applied Science degree program in Criminal Justice Technology is designed to provide knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations. Study will focus on local, state, and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections, and security services. The criminal justice system’s role within society will be explored.
The 64 SHC program emphasizes criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics, and community relations. In addition to general education classes in mathematics, English, and sociology, students may also study issues and concepts of government, counseling, communications, computers, and technology.
The program is available completely online as well as in the traditional face-to-face seated environment. Courses are offered in the two formats in alternate semesters to encourage student completion.
Admission Criteria
Admission to this program requires that students be high school graduates or have a recognized equivalency. Upon successful completion of CJC 110, a student enrolling in the Associate in Applied Science Degree program in Criminal Justice Technology will be given credit for CJC 120, CJC 131, CJC 132, CJC 221, and CJC 231. Students should contact Student Services for details.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the criminal justice system and its components (law enforcement, the courts, parole, juvenile justice and corrections)
- Select appropriate techniques and practices for various types of criminal investigations
- Apply knowledge of criminal and constitutional law to criminal scenarios.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities exist in a variety of local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and security fields. Examples of employment include:
- police officer
- deputy sheriff
- county detention officer
- state trooper
- intensive probation/parole surveillance officer
- correctional officer
- loss prevention specialist
Contact Information
CJC Program Coordinator
252-638-7251
Admissions Office
252-638-7430
Degree Requirements
The following suggested schedule is based on full-time enrollment. Part-Time Students begin with ACA-111, CJC-111, CJC-121. Continue with sequence of required courses. General education courses may be taken at any time. For information about prerequisites and corequisites, please refer to the catalog.
Courses in this program
First Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 13
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| ACA-111 | 1 | ||
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This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.
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| CJC-111 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the components and processes of the criminal justice system. Topics include history, structure, functions, and philosophy of the criminal justice system and their relationship to life in our society. Upon completion, students should be able to define and describe the major system components and their interrelationships and evaluate career options.
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| CJC-121 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces fundamental law enforcement operations. Topics include the contemporary evolution of law enforcement operations and related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to explain theories, practices, and issues related to law enforcement operations.
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| CJC-160 | 3 | ||
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This course identifies the fundamental reasons why America is a target for terrorists, covering various domestic/international terrorist groups and ideologies from a historical aspect. Emphasis is placed upon recognition of terrorist crime scene; weapons of mass destruction; chemical, biological, and nuclear terrorism; and planning considerations involving threat assessments. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss the methods used in terrorists' activities and complete a threat assessment for terrorists' incidents.
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| CJC-231 | 3 | ||
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The course covers the impact of the Constitution of the United States and its amendments on the criminal justice system. Topics include the structure of the Constitution and its amendments, court decisions pertinent to contemporary criminal justice issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss the basic structure of the United States Constitution and the rights/procedures as interpreted by the courts.
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Second Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 15
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-112 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces deviant behavior as it relates to criminal activity. Topics include theories of crime causation; statistical analysis of criminal behavior; past, present, and future, social control initiatives; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain and discuss various theories of crime causation and societal response.
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| CJC-113 | 3 | ||
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This course covers the juvenile justice system and related juvenile issues. Topics include an overview of the juvenile justice system, treatment, and prevention programs, special areas and laws unique to juveniles, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss juvenile court, structure/procedures, function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies, processing/detention of juveniles, and case disposition.
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| CJC-141 | 3 | ||
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This course covers the history, major philosophies, components, and current practices and problems of the field of corrections. Topics include historical evolution, functions of the various components, alternatives to incarceration, treatment programs, inmate control, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the various components, processes, and functions of the correctional system.
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| CJC-212 | 3 | ||
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This course covers ethical considerations and accepted standards applicable to criminal justice organizations and professionals. Topics include ethical systems; social change, values, and norms; cultural diversity; citizen involvement in criminal justice issues; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to apply ethical considerations to the decision-making process in identifiable criminal justice situations.
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| ENG-111 | 3 | ||
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This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.
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Third Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 9
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS-110 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces computer concepts including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.
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| ELE-002 | |||
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ELE-002 is a category of electives and not a specific course. Students must select from the approved Social/Behavioral Electives for General Education courses for AAS Programs listed below as indicated under degree requirements. Lecture, Lab, Clinical, and Credit Hours are determined by the course selected.
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| ENG-112 | 3 | ||
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This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation, styles, and writing strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing information and ideas and incorporating research findings into documented writing and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using documentation appropriate to various disciplines.
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Fourth Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 12
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-131 | 3 | ||
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This course covers the history/evolution/principles and contemporary applications of criminal law. Topics include sources of substantive law, classification of crimes, parties to crime, elements of crimes, matters of criminal responsibility, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss the sources of law and identify, interpret, and apply the appropriate statutes/elements.
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| CJC-214 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the study of victims. Emphasis is placed on roles/characteristics of victims, victim interaction with the criminal justice system and society, current victim assistance programs, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss and identify victims, the uniqueness of victims' roles, and current victim assistance programs.
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| MAJ-001 | |||
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MAJ-001 is a category of major electives and not a specific course name. To select the appropriate credit hours for this individual program, select Major Electives to view available class options.
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| MAT-143 | 3 | ||
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This course is designed to engage students in complex and realistic situations involving the mathematical phenomena of quantity, change and relationship, and uncertainty through project- and activity-based assessment.
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| ELE-001 | |||
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ELE-001 is a category of electives and not a specific course. Students must select from the approved Humanities/Fine Arts Electives for General Education courses for AAS Programs listed below as indicated under degree requirements. Lecture, Lab, Clinical, and Credit Hours are determined by the course selected. ART-111, ART-114, ART-115, ENG-231, ENG-232, ENG-241, ENG-242, HUM-110, HUM-115, HUM-211, HUM-212, MUS-110, MUS-112, MUS-113, PHI-215, PHI-240, REL-110
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Fifth Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 13
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJC-132 | 3 | ||
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This course covers judicial structure/process/procedure from incident to disposition, kinds and degrees of evidence, and the rules governing admissibility of evidence in court. Topics include consideration of state and federal courts, arrest, search and seizure laws, exclusionary and statutory rules of evidence, and other related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish a lawful arrest/search, proper judicial procedures, and the admissibility of evidence.
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| CJC-161 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the historical organizational and practical aspects of Homeland Security. Topics include a historic overview, definitions and concepts, organizational structure, communications, technology, mitigation prevention and preparedness, response and recovery, and the future of Homeland Security. Upon completion, students should be able to explain essential characteristics of terrorism and Homeland Security, and define roles, functions and interdependency between agencies.
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| CJC-151 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the concepts and methods related to commercial and private security systems. Topics include the historical, philosophical, and legal basis of security, with emphasis on security surveys, risk analysis, and associated functions. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate and understand security systems, risk management, and the laws relative to loss prevention.
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| CJC-221 | 4 | ||
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This course introduces the theories and fundamentals of the investigative process. Topics include crime scene/incident processing, information gathering techniques, collection/preservation of evidence, preparation of appropriate reports, court presentations, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify, explain, and demonstrate the techniques of the investigative process, report preparation, and courtroom presentation.
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Major Elective
Students must select three credits from the following options. Contact an advisor for information on work based learning courses.
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| CJC-120 | 2 | ||
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This course covers basic and special techniques employed in criminal justice interviews and interrogations. Emphasis is placed on the interview/interrogation process, including interpretation of verbal and physical behavior and legal perspectives. Upon completion, students should be able to conduct interviews/interrogations in a legal, efficient, and professional manner and obtain the truth from suspects, witnesses, and victims.
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| CJC-222 | 3 | ||
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This course covers the functions of the forensic laboratory and its relationship to successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. Topics include advanced crime scene processing, investigative techniques, current forensic technologies, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and collect relevant evidence at simulated crime scenes and request appropriate laboratory analysis of submitted evidence.
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| CJC-232 | 3 | ||
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This course covers liability issues for the criminal justice professional. Topics include civil rights violations, tort liability, employment issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain civil trial procedures and discuss contemporary liability issues.
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| WBL-111 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-121 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-131 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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