Criminal Justice AS Degree (AJ13)
The Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice provides a solid foundation in general education and criminal justice that prepares students for entry-level employment in a variety of law enforcement fields or for continued education toward a baccalaureate degree. The sequence of courses in the areas of criminal investigation and procedure, criminology, juvenile delinquency, and law enforcement allows students to gain a deeper understanding of criminal behavior and the law enforcement system. Graduates may pursue additional educational opportunities at senior institutions or pursue entry level positions in fields related to law enforcement, security (private or public), loss prevention, court administration, social services, or in a variety of fields that require a dedication to duty and a commitment to public safety.
NOTE: This degree will transfer to specific institutions within the University System of Georgia with which WGTC has articulation agreements. For further information about the terms of these agreements, as well as transferability of general education courses and occupational programs to other Georgia colleges and universities, please refer to the WGTC web page, Articulation Agreements, http://www.westgatech.edu/registration/articulation.htm. Please consult an academic advisor for requirements specific to each institution.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may pursue additional education opportunities at senior institutions or pursue entry level positions in fields related to law enforcement, security (private or public), loss prevention, court administration, social services, or in a variety of fields that require a dedication to duty and a commitment to public safety.
Credit Required for Graduation: Minimum of 65 credit hours
Curriculum
The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice degree requires a minimum of 47 credit hours of general education courses as specified below (all course prerequisites must be met).
General Core Courses
Area I Language Arts/Communication Requirement (minimum 12 hours)
Area II Social/Behavioral Sciences Requirement (minimum 15 hours)
Area III Natural Sciences/Mathematics Requirement (minimum 14 hours)
and
one of the three lab science sequences below (4 courses, 8 credits, total):
OR
OR
| CHEM 1151 | Survey of Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1151L | Survey of Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 1152 | Survey of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1152L | Survey of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement (minimum 6 hours)
and
Occupational Courses (minimum 18-21 credits, dependent upon accepting institution)
COLL 1090: Effective January 2018,
COLL 1090 is required for graduation from this program if the admissions eligibility requirement is met (see Office of Admissions for exclusions). If
COLL 1090 is not required due to a student's ineligibility, any occupational or occupationally related elective approved by the program advisor should be substituted to meet the minimum program credit hour requirement for graduation (see advisor for approval).