Oct 07, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Criminal Justice, A.A.S.


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The A.A.S. degree in criminal justice offers a curriculum which provides a focused education, preparing the student to pursue a career after graduation from Casper College. In so doing, it also attempts to develop the qualities that are desirable for employment in the criminal justice fields: communication capabilities, intelligence, tolerance, self-discipline, and respect for constitutional values. It also develops professional qualities within those students currently employed with a criminal justice agency, and it provides a general knowledge about the successes and failures of America’s criminal justice system. The A.A.S degree is not designed for those students who anticipate pursuing a baccalaureate degree after graduation from Casper College. The A.A.S. degree requires fewer general education classes in the areas of math, English and science than does the A.A. degree.

NOTE: Criminal justice employment will almost always require the applicant to complete and pass a thorough background investigation. Students majoring in criminal justice should be aware that criminal history, substance abuse, mental illness, and significant financial problems may render them unemployable in a criminal justice agency. Likewise, students should make every effort to safeguard their reputations while attending college. Many criminal justice agencies also have physical fitness requirements that candidates for certain positions must be able to pass. In addicition, some agencies have maximum age standards for entry level positions.

Recommended Curriculum


General Education (Minimum 17 credits)


General education coursework can be completed from within or outside of the major field of study.

1. Exploration and Participation


(One course minimum)

2. Communication


(One course minimum)

3. Relationship with the World


(One course minimum)

4. General Education Electives


  • Must be chosen from areas 1, 2, or 3 above.

5. Physical Education (1CR)


Electives (20 credits)


Electives will be selected in consultation with the academic advisor from courses in the departments of criminal justice (CRMJ), psychology (PSYC), sociology (SOC), computer applications (CMAP) or addictionology (ADDN). In addition, any of the following courses may be selected as an elective:

Note:


The normal length of this program is two academic years at 15-17 credit hours per semester.

Graduation Requirements:


A minimum of 64 approved semester credits are required for graduation. For specific graduation requirements see “Academic Policies ” and “Degree Requirements .”

Only courses numbered 1000 or above can be used toward the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Business, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of Applied Science degrees.

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