fbpx
Distance learning provides flexibility that working adults need. Learn why our students recommend Amridge University. Now is the time to enroll!
Amridge-University-Student-A2022630h

The Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice program provides students with opportunities to complete an initial college degree while establishing a solid academic foundation for a bachelor degree in the field of criminal justice. Upon completing the associate degree, a student may have completed one-half of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. This associate degree requires 20 credit hours of general education, 20 credit hours of prescribed core courses, and 24 credit hours of elective courses. The Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully work in a wide variety of organizations that provide public safety and law enforcement services. In addition to examining criminal behavior, students will study the investigative process and legal aspects of the criminal justice system in order to achieve the knowledge necessary to be upwardly mobile within the organizational structures of public safety agencies, community non-profit organizations, and church organizations.

Upon completion of the Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice Program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Recall basic component agencies, key term, procedures, and prominent theories that influence the formal criminal justice stem of the United States.
  2. Understand the legal role of evidence within the judicial processing of criminal offenders.
  3. Overview of the corrections and penal system in the United States.

Degree Completion

Students desiring to enroll in the Associate of Arts (AA) in Criminal Justice degree program should make application for admission online.  Continuous participation in the program until all requirements of the AA are met is mandatory for graduation.  If a student decides to discontinue work on the AA he or she may do so by submitting a change of degree application.  Application fees and change of degree fees are itemized on the Amridge University Tuition and Fees Schedule.

A degree completion fee is charged to all students who petition the University for graduation.  Application must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the semester prior to the semester the student plans to graduate.  A credit of this fee will be applied to the student’s account if he or she goes into the bachelors program after completing the Associate of Arts degree.

Only one degree will be awarded in a given semester.  An associate degree and a bachelor degree will not be awarded simultaneously.

Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

Before being graduated with the Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Complete at least 64 semester hours of which at least 20 semester hours must be taken with Amridge University;
  2. Complete all required coursework for the respective degree;
  3. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
  4. Complete an Amridge University Degree Completion Application.  The properly completed and signed application must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the semester prior to the semester the student plans to graduate.  Following this schedule permits the University to conduct a full audit of the respective student’s records to make sure that all courses, programs, and respective graduation requirements have been met.  Students having any questions regarding the Degree Completion Application should contact the Registrar’s Office.

The Course Requirements of 64 semester credit hours for the degree program Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice includes general education courses (20 semester hours), program specific courses (16 semester hours), a foundation course (4 semester hours), and elective courses (24 semester hours).

Core General Education Courses
Communication
EH 1401 English Composition I
4
Mathematics
MH 1403 College Algebra
-OR-
MH 1404 Finite Math
4
Social/Behavioral Sciences
PG 2401 General Psychology
4
Humanities/Fine Arts
HM 2410 Introduction to Ethics
4
Natural Science
BY 2401 Biology I
-OR-
HE 1401 Health
-OR-
HE 1405 Human Nutrition
-OR-
SC 1410 Introduction to Life Sciences
4
Total Core General Education Course Hours 20
Concentration Courses
HS 2403 Introduction to Public Safety and Security
-OR-
HS 2420 Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes
4
LJ 2401 Corrections and Penal Systems in the U.S.
LJ 2409 Criminal Investigation
LJ 2445 Criminology
4
4
4
Total Concentration Course Hours 16
Foundational Course
FD 1412 Management Intervention (required at the beginning of the student’s program) 4
Total Foundational Hours 4
Elective Course Hours (select from 1000-2000 level courses) 24
Total Hours for Associate Degree  64

Common Titles:

  • Administration
  • Casework
  • Corrections
  • Juvenile justice
  • Probation and parole
  • Social services
  • Victim advocacy
  • Private/corporate security
  • State and local police and sheriff
  • Homeland defense

Job Listings:

 Professional Organizations:

Salary Information: