Criminal Justice, Associate of Science

Criminal Justice

Program Overview

If you want a career which lets you blend your interest in crime, security, surveillance, law enforcement, and technology, then check out our Criminal Justice program. It's designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in criminal justice in the areas of:

• Homeland Security
• Public and Private Security including Workplace Security and Surveillance
• Law Enforcement Agencies
• Corrections
• Courts and Law Offices
• Juvenile Justice
• Community Corrections

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are able to:

• Interpret the need for corrective action when sensitive data is compromised based on legal principles.
• Examine the quality and sufficiency of evidence to support a criminal justice argument (case or proposal).
• Apply scientific processes to the analysis of criminal justice issues.
• Explain the role that human behavior plays on crime.
• Examine the ethical standards applied to groups within the criminal justice field.

For additional information about the program outcomes, please see the Student Consumer Information (link to: http://www.ecpi.edu/business/program/criminal-justice-associate-degree/ ) which provides additional information on the future careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see Information About the University on the ECPI website (link to: http://www.ecpi.edu/services/about-ecpi-university/ )

In 1.5 years, through our year-round instruction, you can earn an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice.

About Criminal Justice

The A.S. degree in Criminal Justice leads to interesting careers as law enforcement officers, airport screeners, private investigators, court clerks, and park rangers. Graduates may also have opportunities to work as dispatchers or evidence technicians. In their careers, graduates have the ability to work with the latest investigative technologies that are used to maintain and analyze evidence.

Applicants for employment in criminal justice must be capable of completing an employment process which may include the following: 

• Criminal History Check
• Drug Screening, Psychological Screening, Mental Health History, Behavioral Assessment
• Driving Record
• Polygraph Examination
• Security Clearance
• Physical Agility
• Military Disciplinary History
• Domestic Violence Investigations
• Credit History
• Social Networking Background Investigation
• Background Investigation
• Panel Interviews
• Possession of a Valid Driver's License
• Compliance with policies regarding body art/ tattoos and piercings

Graduates of the A.S. degree program in Criminal Justice obtain jobs in several different law enforcement fields. They may find employment in state or local law enforcement agencies, private security firms, the transportation security industry, or for the court system.

Certifications

Certifications are not required for completion of this program; however, ECPI encourages student to obtain all appropriate certifications to increase potential job opportunities. ECPI provides students in this program with vouchers which allow the student to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. Available certifications for this program include CERT, CPR, FEMA (various certifications available), AED, Red Cross Mass Casualty, CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention), and DNA. Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

Program Outline

To receive the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, the student must earn 76 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 5 semesters or 18 months of instruction.

The Program requirements are as follows:

Program Requirements

Core Curriculum

36 semester credit hours

Arts and Sciences

22 semester credit hours

Self Integration and Computer Literacy

9 semester credit hours

Electives

Electives

9 semester credits