Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program and Career Description

The Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice is a two-year degree program. Students who successfully complete the AAS usually seek employment in law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, court officers, investigation, and counseling-oriented professions. Below are a few examples of career salaries.

Career	Median Salary with BS degree	Experienced Salary Median
Municipal Police Officer	$41,910	$60,000
Correction Officer	$25,920	$32,000
Court Officers	$26,010	$30,700
Investigators	$39,670	$91,390
Probation/Parole	$37,590	$65,330
Counseling - Positions	$37,590	$65,330

Career and salary information taken from www.bls.gov. Check out this web site for additional information about education requirements and preferred work styles and abilities for these careers. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Transfer Options

This degree program is in compliance with the Common Course Curriculum Library for the A.A.S. in Criminal Justice program as delivered by Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges.

This degree program is not designed for transfer to a four year college or university. However, some agreements are in place that will allow credit to be given for a portion or the entirety of this degree path. Please check with the transfer institution or your advisor for specific details.

Articulation agreements exist between other private and non-TN public institutions. These agreements are available at www.columbiastate.edu/admissions/transfer-information.

Program Requirements

Students may be required to take additional Learning Support courses

Communications Requirement

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credit(s): 3
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication Credit(s): 3
or
COMM 2055 - Argumentation and Debate Credit(s): 3

Humanities/Fine Arts

Take one course

ART 1035 - Introduction to Art Credit(s): 3
ART 2000 - Art History Survey I Credit(s): 3
ART 2020 - Art History Survey II Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2055 - African-American Literature Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2130 - Topics in American Literature Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2160 - Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2235 - Topics in British Literature Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2310 - Early World Literature Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2320 - Modern World Literature Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2860 - Introduction to Film Credit(s): 3
HUM 1010 - Early Humanities Credit(s): 3
HUM 1020 - Modern Humanities Credit(s): 3
MUS 1030 - Introduction to Music Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1030 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1040 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2200 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
THEA 1030 - Introduction to Theatre Credit(s): 3

Natural Science/Mathematics Requirement

Take one course

ASTR 1030 - Survey of Astronomy Credit(s): 4
BIOL 1080 - Concepts of Biology Credit(s): 4
BIOL 1110 - General Biology I Credit(s): 4
BIOL 1120 - General Biology II Credit(s): 4
BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 4
BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit(s): 4
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 4
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 4
ESCI 1010 - Weather and Climate Credit(s): 4
ESCI 1020 - Landforms Credit(s): 4
MATH 1010 - Math for General Studies Credit(s): 3
MATH 1130 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1630 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1710 - Precalculus Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1720 - Precalculus Trigonometry Credit(s): 3
MATH 1730 - Precalculus Credit(s): 4
MATH 1830 - Applied Calculus Credit(s): 3
MATH 1910 - Calculus I Credit(s): 4
PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus Physics I Credit(s): 4
PHYS 2020 - Non-Calculus Physics II Credit(s): 4
PHYS 2110 - Calculus-Based Physics I Credit(s): 4
PHYS 2120 - Calculus-Based Physics II Credit(s): 4
PSCI 1030 - Survey of Physical Science Credit(s): 4

Social/Behavioral Sciences

Take one course

POLS 1030 - American Government Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

Major Required Courses

COLS 101 - Columbia State College Success Credit(s): 1
CRMJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1020 - Introduction to the Legal Process Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1340 - Criminal Investigation Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2010 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2020 - Introduction to Corrections Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1325 - Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1330 - Criminal Evidence and Procedures Credit(s): 3

Program Electives

Take 23-24 hours from the following: (Do not duplicate courses)

ACCT 1010 - Principles of Accounting I Credit(s): 3
BUSN 1305 - Introduction to Business Credit(s): 3
BUSN 1310 - Business Communications Credit(s): 3
CITC 2326 - Network Security Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1301 - Correctional Counseling Credit(s): 3*
CRMJ 1311 - Criminal Law Credit(s): 3*
CRMJ 1322 - Police Administration and Organization Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1355 - Understanding Terrorism Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1360 - Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2301 - Computer Forensics Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2311 - Juvenile Justice Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2312 - Criminology Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2332 Drug ID and Effects Credit(s): 3*
CRMJ 2340 - Investigative Report Writing Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2381 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2390 - Probation and Parole Credit(s): 3*
CRMJ 2391 - Criminal Justice Practicum Credit(s): 3
INFS 1010 - Computer Applications Credit(s): 3
POLS 1010 - Intro to Political Science Credit(s): 3
POLS 1030 - American Government Credit(s): 3
PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2120 - Social Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2130 - Life Span Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1040 - Social Problems Credit(s): 3
SOCI 2010 - Marriage and Family Credit(s): 3
*TN eCampus Course

Requirements for Graduation Include:

earning 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State.
earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in program courses.
earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
taking the Exit Exam.

If you have completed TN eCampus courses, run a degree audit from the student tab in myChargerNet to determine how these courses apply to this program.

Criminal Justice, A.A.S. Sample Academic Plan - Total Credit Hours: 61

First Year - Fall Semester - Total Credit Hours: 16

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
Humanities/Fine Art Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
COLS 101 - Columbia State College Success Credit(s): 1

First Year - Spring Semester - Total Credit Hours: 15-16

CRMJ 1020 - Introduction to the Legal Process Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 2010 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Credit(s): 3
Natural Science/Math Requirement Credit(s): 3-4
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication Credit(s): 3
or
COMM 2055 - Argumentation and Debate Credit(s): 3

Second Year - Fall Semester - Total Credit Hours: 15

CRMJ 2020 - Introduction to Corrections Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1330 - Criminal Evidence and Procedures Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
POLS 1030 - American Government Credit(s): 3
or
SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

Second Year - Spring Semester - Total Credit Hours: 15

CRMJ 1325 - Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice Credit(s): 3
CRMJ 1340 - Criminal Investigation Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3
Program Elective Credit(s): 3

Note(s):

For more information contact:
Frank Miceli at
fmiceli@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2758 or
Text 606-627-2991
or
Science, Technology and Math Division office
at 931.540.2710

Columbia State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educational institution.
CoSCC- CJT-AAS-02-14-18