Criminal Justice: AAS
Associate in Applied Science | 60 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Education, Public Service, and Social Sciences
Program Description:
The Criminal Justice Associate in Applied Science prepares students for entry-level employment in the criminal justice system and can assist those currently employed in entry-level jobs with career advancement. The program introduces students to the criminal justice system and its interrelated components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students will develop a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary realities of the American criminal justice system and the application of criminal law.
Locations. This program is offered at Florissant Valley, Forest Park, and Meramec by taking a mixture of face-to-face and online courses.
Related Programs. The Criminal Justice Department offers a certificate in the following area:
Criminal Justice, Certificate of Proficiency
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- identify the three major components of the criminal justice system and their functions.
- identify the constraints imposed by, and the rights guaranteed by, the U.S. Constitution as they apply to work in the criminal justice field.
- distinguish between the adult and juvenile systems including procedural differences and the distinct and overlapping roles of each.
- analyze the nature of crime and criminal behavior and its impact on policy directed at public safety.
- demonstrate effective questioning or interviewing practices with witnesses, those accused of crimes, or those under correctional control.
- produce clearly written documentation in the performance of duties as criminal justice professionals.
- articulate the influence of historical and contemporary social and legal contexts on the criminal justice system specific to diversity and inequality.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| PHL 104 | Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102) | 3 |
| MTH 161 | Quantitative Reasoning (MOTR MATH 120) | 3 |
| or MTH 161S | Quantitative Reasoning with Support (MOTR MATH 120) | |
| or MTH 180 | Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110) | |
| or MTH 180S | Introductory Statistics with Support (MOTR MATH 110) | |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101) | 3 |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| COM 201 | Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) | 3 |
| SOC 203 | Introduction to Criminology (MOTR CRIM 205) | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| PSY 208 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| or CHM 123 | Fundamentals of Forensic Chemistry (MOTR CHEM 100) | |
| CRJ 101 | American Correctional System | 3 |
| CRJ 111 | Rules of Criminal Evidence | 3 |
| CRJ 122 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 123 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 124 | Criminal Law and Procedures | 3 |
| CRJ 129 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CRJ 206 | Diversity and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 212 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CRJ 218 | Criminal Justice Policy | 3 |
| PRD 128 | Mental Health First Aid | 1 |
| HW 109 | First Aid | 2 |
| IS 116 | Computer Literacy | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Full-Time Academic Plan
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CRJ 122 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Join Criminal Justice Student Association. |
| CRJ 124 | Criminal Law and Procedures | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Attend Criminal Justice Career Fair. |
| MTH 161 or 180 | Quantitative Reasoning (MOTR MATH 120) or Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110) | 3 | Satisfactory score on placement test and Reading Proficiency | MTH 161S or MTH 180S will also fulfill this requirement, but only 3 credits will apply toward the degree. |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CRJ 101 | American Correctional System | 3 | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Attend Criminal Justice Career Fair. |
| CRJ 123 | Juvenile Justice | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| SOC 203 | Introduction to Criminology (MOTR CRIM 205) | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| IS 116 | Computer Literacy | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CRJ 111 | Rules of Criminal Evidence | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Attend Criminal Justice Career Fair. |
| CRJ 129 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| HW 109 | First Aid | 2 | ||
| PRD 128 | Mental Health First Aid | 1 | Reading Proficiency | |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| COM 201 | Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120) | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CRJ 218 | Criminal Justice Policy | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Apply for graduation. |
| CRJ 206 | Diversity and Criminal Justice | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Attend Criminal Justice Career Fair. |
| CRJ 212 | Criminal Investigation | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PHL 104 | Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| PSY 208 or CHM 123 | Abnormal Psychology or Fundamentals of Forensic Chemistry (MOTR CHEM 100) | 3 | PSY 200 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.