Criminal Justice, AAS

G3 Eligible Program– Qualifying students may have ZERO costs for tuition, fees, and textbooks. 
Learn more at https://brightpoint.edu/training-workforce/g3.

PURPOSE: This two-year program prepares students for jobs in criminal justice and law enforcement. Jobs include correction officers, security officers, and investigators. All career-technical degrees are guided by advisory committees comprised of local business leaders.

CREDENTIALS:  An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a major in a career-technical area that takes two years for full-time students to complete.  Although the purpose of an AAS degree is to gain skills for employment, some transfer institutions may accept some or all of the courses from an AAS major. Students can complete the Career Studies Certificate (CSC) in Criminal Justice during their program.    Students who are Certified Virginia Law Enforcement Officers may receive up to 20 credits toward this program.

TRANSFER: Though this program is not designed for transfer, this degree may be transferable to some four-year colleges. Students desiring to transfer should consult their faculty advisor and their intended transfer institution for specific direction in program and course selection. More information can also be found at www.brightpoint.edu/academics/transfer/

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Students must meet Brightpoint admission requirements. New students should work with their New Student Navigator to get ready for their first semester. They can also email getstarted@brightpoint.edu for assistance. Continuing students should work with their faculty advisor on academic planning and graduation requirements. Persons entering the public or private sectors of criminal justice employment will be subjected to intensive physical agility tests, background investigations, psychological testing, personal interviews, physical examinations and polygraph examinations.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:  By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an introductory level of competency in the following skills:

1. Model appropriate and ethical behavior during criminal justice simulations.
2. Identify and describe each component of the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections), giving at least 2 examples of each part of the system.
3. Explain the purpose of the juvenile justice system, including its history, rights of juveniles, and dispositional alternatives.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different theories for causation of crime.
5. Analyze interactive approaches of law enforcement agencies and the citizenry they serve.