Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Option

Associate in Science

Bedford Campus and Lowell Campus - Day and Online

Program Description:

The Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Option Associate in Science degree program is designed for students interested in working as police officers and in other law-enforcement careers. This option provides students with a strong foundation in criminal justice and the opportunity to focus their studies in the area of law enforcement and policing.

The curriculum emphasizes both an academic and practical approach to the three major areas of criminal justice - the police, courts and corrections - providing students with basic knowledge of legal issues facing practitioners in these fields. Emphasis is placed on oral and written communications, as well as interpersonal skill-building and understanding of the multicultural issues necessary for working with diverse populations.

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Students are prepared for career employment and for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs. Graduates have secured employment with local, federal and international law-enforcement agencies, as well as other criminal-justice professions.

Helpful Hints:

No academic credit is awarded for life experience, or for military, police academy or other training.

Service-Learning: Students are encouraged to gain experience in community organizations by participating in Service-Learning opportunities offered in courses throughout the degree program

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Option program are prepared to:

Describe the functions and interrelationships of the major components of the criminal justice system and apply this knowledge to problem solving
Identify and use valid research sources and technology to gather, interpret, and analyze data and present conclusions in both written and oral presentation formats
Articulate the role of due process and diversity in a social and ethical context and apply to the analysis of current issues in criminal justice
Demonstrate knowledge of career options in criminal justice and interpersonal skills that support and facilitate professional development and lifelong learning

Required Courses

CRJ 111 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 112 - Criminal Law 3
CRJ 121 - Contemporary Policing 3
CRJ 151 - Interpersonal Communications In Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 152 - Criminal Evidence And Court Procedure 3
CRJ 241 - Criminal Investigation 3
ENG 101 - English Composition I 3 ♦
ENG 102 - English Composition II 3 ♦
GOV 120 - American Government 3
MAT 177 - Statistics 3 ♦
PSY 101 - Introduction To Psychology 3 ♦
SCI 130 - Forensic Science 4 ♦
SOC 101 - Introduction To Sociology 3 ♦
SOC 154 - Criminology 3
Humanities Elective 3 ♦
Humanities Elective 3
Humanities Elective 3
Elective** 3
Elective** 3
IDS 101 - General Education Seminar: First-Year Experience 1
Two Additional IDS Elective 2

Total Credits: 61

** If math, preparation for College Math will NOT satisfy this requirement, unless Modules 1-12 have been completed.
♦ Fulfills the Core Curriculum

Note: In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check.

Note: Additional coursework may be required based on college placement testing. Students are urged to meet with their academic advisor for proper course sequencing.