Criminal Justice
Associate Degree
Criminal Justice Program Outline
$300
The Criminal Justice program includes online criminal justice courses that introduce you to important legal, procedural and investigation concepts. Each course is designed with the input of criminal justice industry professionals, ensuring that you receive an education with practical career applications and a high standard of quality. After successfully completing your online criminal justice program, you will be prepared to apply what you’ve learned in a variety of settings.
Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice program outline:
Semester 1
EN110 - Achieving Academic ExcellenceThis course teaches the students fundamental principles while emphasizing skills development in the practice of public speaking. It covers purposes, methods and steps in preparing speeches, develops communication skills in listening, speech criticism, audience analysis and writing, and provides effective delivery techniques to present a variety of speeches.
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers an introduction to basic writing skills that is especially relevant to academic assignments. It focuses on paragraph development and organization in conjunction with a review of basic grammar and mechanics. The course also covers the construction of multi-paragraph essays, the development of writing style and tone, and techniques for critically editing and revising one',s work.
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to assure a basic level of computer applications literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and the Internet. The course also covers various types of computer hardware and networking methods. (This course has been designed so that access to a computer is helpful, but not required.)
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the criminal justice process, including an overview of crime in America, criminal law, policing, the courts, corrections, and juvenile justice.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 2
EN130 - English Composition IIThis course offers an introduction to written composition especially relevant to academic assignments. It begins with an emphasis on composing stronger expressions at the sentence level and then covers development of multi-paragraph essays, development of writing style and tone, and how to revise and edit one',s work critically. An introduction to academic research is included.
Prerequisite for C02
Credit Hours: 3
View General Education Elective (Science 100-200 Level) offerings.
This course discusses why we have criminal laws and begins to define the proof that is necessary to convict someone of a crime. Social issues that affect how and why laws are made are examined, as well as the behavior that is the subject of criminal law. Topics include criminal liability, criminal defenses and jurisdiction, crimes against persons and property, sex crimes, and other criminal conduct.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the procedures used to lawfully investigate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals suspected of and accused of violating criminal laws. It also explores the many facets of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution and how the Constitution protects us from an oppressive government while at the same time providing the means to catch and bring wrongdoers to justice.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a thorough examination of the investigation process and of situations in which police officers apply specific investigative and information-gathering techniques to meet the evidentiary requirements of specific crimes. Topics include how law enforcement deals with violent crime, criminal investigative procedures for kidnapping, extortion, and homicide, and the investigative techniques used to solve complex criminal cases, such as organized crime, white-collar crime, arson, and bombings.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 3
General Education Elective (Behavioral/Social Science 100-200 Level) General Education Elective (Humanities/Fine Arts 100-200 Level)View General Education Elective (Humanities/Fine Arts 100-200 Level) offerings.
This course bridges the gap between the ideals of justice and the ethical behavior that criminal justice professionals should exhibit in the furtherance of justice. It also presents information that criminal justice professionals need to resolve many of the ethical dilemmas they may face, and to understand the dilemmas faced by others within the justice system.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to the responsibilities of police officers, providing examples and applications of theory, including topics such as patrol techniques, use of discretion, and describing how police departments are organized and managed, and how they are responding to modern challenges.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a broad-based, foundational approach to understanding the many elements of America’s correctional system from the perspective of both the corrections worker and the criminal offender. Particular attention is paid to issues including alternative sanctions, incarceration of women and juveniles, and the effects of incarceration upon release.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 4
C17 - College Mathematics or MA240 - College Algebra*C17: This is a comprehensive review of mathematical skills and concepts commonly used in academic and vocational applications. Topics include whole numbers, fractions, decimal notation, ratios and proportions, percents, statistics and measurement, geometry, real numbers, and algebra.
Credit Hours: 3
MA240: This course introduces the major concepts of college-level algebra. The course begins with basic concepts such as sets and numbers but quickly moves into intermediate algebra topics, emphasizing concepts most often used in computer science. The student will gain extensive experience in evaluating and manipulating expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions.
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the broad implications of technological innovation on social organization in terms of personal, political, economic, and environmental issues. Topics covered include technological progress within society, issues of energy use and creation, positive and negative environmental impacts of technology, the use of technology in war and politics, social responsibility, personal health, and economic development.
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the facts behind juvenile delinquency, the processes in the justice system affecting juvenile offenders, the roles of probation, institutionalization, parole, and delinquency prevention. The course also closely examines the robber, gang member, rapist, status offender, and the deprived child.
Credit Hours: 3
View Elective offerings.
View Elective offerings.
*If students expect to complete a bachelor's degree, MA240 is required.
Alternative Associate Degree Option
Needing your degree for your current career? Not planning to continue on to a bachelor’s degree? Don’t have many transfer credits or want a structured curriculum? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might consider an Ashworth Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Call 1-800-957-5412 to enroll in this alternative associate degree option.
View the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice program outline.
Semester 1
C01 - Introduction to BusinessThis course offers a broad overview of the business world for both business and non-business majors. It is an introduction to the business environment, business ownership, management, marketing, technology and information, and finance.
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the criminal justice process, including an overview of crime in America, criminal law, policing, the courts, corrections, and juvenile justice.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the structure and operations of the federal government, including constitutional principles, rights and liberties, the political process, and the relationships among the three branches of the federal government.
Credit Hours: 3
This course discusses why we have criminal laws and begins to define the proof that is necessary to convict someone of a crime. Social issues that affect how and why laws are made are examined, as well as the behavior that is the subject of criminal law. Topics include criminal liability, criminal defenses and jurisdiction, crimes against persons and property, sex crimes, and other criminal conduct.
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the basic principles of communication that are particularly applicable in business and industry, providing a foundation for more effective communication skills. It focuses on the proper use of English grammar in business settings.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: EN130
Semester 2
J03 - Criminal ProcedureThis course provides an overview of the procedures used to lawfully investigate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals suspected of and accused of violating criminal laws. It also explores the many facets of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution and how the Constitution protects us from an oppressive government while at the same time providing the means to catch and bring wrongdoers to justice.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a consumer-oriented overview of the practical application of economic concepts. The course emphasizes decision making about budgeting, savings, consumer strategies, insurance, investing, retirement planning, and estate planning.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to the responsibilities of police officers, providing examples and applications of theory, including topics such as patrol techniques, use of discretion, and describing how police departments are organized and managed, and how they are responding to modern challenges.
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the basic principles of business law as applied to contracts, personal property, sales, negotiable instruments, agency and employment, business organization, insurance and bankruptcy, and real property.
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the basics of written communication in business. It also explores differences in approach and format for various business documents, and covers techniques for planning, researching, organizing, and writing reports.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 3
C04 - Introduction to PsychologyThis is a survey of the field of psychology, including the development of behavior, physiological mechanisms of behavior, perception, motivation and emotion, consciousness, learning, memory, personality, and mental health.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a broad-based, foundational approach to understanding the many elements of America’s correctional system from the perspective of both the corrections worker and the criminal offender. Particular attention is paid to issues including alternative sanctions, incarceration of women and juveniles, and the effects of incarceration upon release.
Credit Hours: 3
This course bridges the gap between the ideals of justice and the ethical behavior that criminal justice professionals should exhibit in the furtherance of justice. It also presents information that criminal justice professionals need to resolve many of the ethical dilemmas they may face, and to understand the dilemmas faced by others within the justice system.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a comprehensive review of mathematical skills and concepts commonly used in academic and vocational applications. Topics include whole numbers, fractions, decimal notation, ratios and proportions, percents, statistics and measurement, geometry, real numbers, and algebra.
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introduction to the situations encountered and the security techniques commonly used by private security officers. Topics covered include loss prevention, physical security, community policing, business security, terrorism, computer and network security, and ethical issues in private security.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 4
C10 - Introduction to ComputersThis course is designed to assure a basic level of computer applications literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and the Internet. The course also covers various types of computer hardware and networking methods. (This course has been designed so that access to a computer is helpful, but not required.)
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents a careful examination of crimes committed by a family member against another family member, offering practical applications of theory and dispelling myths about victims and offenders. Topics covered include global violence against women, child abuse, stalking, and homicide.
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the facts behind juvenile delinquency, the processes in the justice system affecting juvenile offenders, the roles of probation, institutionalization, parole, and delinquency prevention. The course also closely examines the robber, gang member, rapist, status offender, and the deprived child.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a thorough examination of the investigation process and of situations in which police officers apply specific investigative and information-gathering techniques to meet the evidentiary requirements of specific crimes. Topics include how law enforcement deals with violent crime, criminal investigative procedures for kidnapping, extortion, and homicide, and the investigative techniques used to solve complex criminal cases, such as organized crime, white-collar crime, arson, and bombings.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a hands-on course that examines various reports used by police officers and develops the writing skills needed for note taking, police reports, and warrants.
Credit Hours: 3
Ready to get started on your Criminal Justice degree? Enroll online or call 1-800-957-5412 to speak with an Admissions Advisor.