Criminal Justice: AAS

Criminal Justice: AAS

Associate in Applied Science | 60 credit hours minimum

Area of Interest: Education, Public Service, and Social Sciences

Program Website

Academic Advising

Program Description:

Florissant Valley, Forest Park, and Meramec

(mixture of face-to-face and distance learning course offerings)

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:

  1. identify the three major components of the criminal justice system and their functions.\\n
  2. identify the constraints imposed by, and the rights guaranteed by, the U.S. Constitution as they apply to work in the criminal justice field.
  3. distinguish between the adult and juvenile systems including procedural differences and the distinct and overlapping roles of each.
  4. analyze the nature of crime and criminal behavior and its impact on policy directed at public safety.
  5. demonstrate effective questioning or interviewing practices with witnesses, those accused of crimes, or those under correctional control.
  6. produce clearly written documentation in the performance of duties as criminal justice professionals.
  7. 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

General Education
ENG 101College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3
PHL 104Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102)3
MTH 161Quantitative 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 200General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101)3
XXX xxx Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3
COM 201Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120)3
SOC 203Introduction to Criminology (MOTR CRIM 205)3
Program Requirements
PSY 208Abnormal Psychology3
or CHM 123 Fundamentals of Forensic Chemistry (MOTR CHEM 100)
CRJ 101American Correctional System3
CRJ 111Rules of Criminal Evidence3
CRJ 122Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 123Juvenile Justice3
CRJ 124Criminal Law and Procedures3
CRJ 129Introduction to Law Enforcement3
CRJ 206Diversity and Criminal Justice3
CRJ 212Criminal Investigation3
CRJ 218Criminal Justice Policy3
PRD 128Mental Health First Aid1
HW 109First Aid2
IS 116Computer Literacy3
Total Credit Hours60

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.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
CRJ 122 Introduction to Criminal Justice3Reading ProficiencyJoin Criminal Justice Student Association.
CRJ 124 Criminal Law and Procedures3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyAttend Criminal Justice Career Fair.
MTH 161 Quantitative Reasoning (MOTR MATH 120)
or Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110)
3Satisfactory score on placement test and Reading ProficiencyMTH 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)3Placement 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 xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3  
Credit Hours15
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
CRJ 101 American Correctional System3Prior or concurrent enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyAttend Criminal Justice Career Fai.r
CRJ 123 Juvenile Justice3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
SOC 203 Introduction to Criminology (MOTR CRIM 205)3Reading Proficiency
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (MOTR SOCI 101)3Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
IS 116 Computer Literacy3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours15
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
CRJ 111 Rules of Criminal Evidence3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyAttend Criminal Justice Career Fair.
CRJ 129 Introduction to Law Enforcement3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
HW 109 First Aid2
PRD 128 Mental Health First Aid1Reading Proficiency
PSY 200 General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)3Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
COM 201 Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120)3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours15
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
CRJ 218 Criminal Justice Policy3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyApply for graduation.
CRJ 206 Diversity and Criminal Justice3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyAttend Criminal Justice Career Fair.
CRJ 212 Criminal Investigation3Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
PHL 104 Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102)3Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
PSY 208 Abnormal Psychology
or Fundamentals of Forensic Chemistry (MOTR CHEM 100)
3PSY 200 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours15
Total Credit Hours60

*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.