Criminal Justice (AAS)

This program provides students the opportunity to explore all areas of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, policing and investigations, corrections, parole and probation, prosecution and courts, juvenile justice, and rehabilitation options within the community. Students will receive valuable access and networking with experienced instructors who have studied and worked extensively in all areas of the criminal justice system. Students interested in pursuing a bachelor degree in criminal justice should choose the Associate of Arts degree and work closely with a counselor when choosing their classes.

Please see the Associate of Applied Science page for a list of all courses filling general education requirements.

The purpose of the criminal justice degree is to provide the academic knowledge and skills in the criminal justice field.

Students who complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice are expected to demonstrate they can:

  • Meet the general education requirements of WNC.
  • Maintain proper professional attitude for law enforcement.
  • Articulate the legal requirements of search and seizure.
  • Recognize and evaluate criminal law.
  • Process crime scenes.
  • Analyze theories for committing crimes.
  • Maintain vocabulary necessary for criminal justice.
  • Have an acute awareness of cultural diversity.
  • Maintain crime scenes.

Required Courses


Course Title Units
Total Requirements 60 Units
Program Requirements 36 Units
CRJ 104 Introduction to the Administration of Justice 3
CRJ 106* Introduction to Corrections 3
CRJ 155 Juvenile Justice System 3
CRJ 164 Principles Of Investigation 3
CRJ 211* Police in America 3
CRJ 222* Criminal Law and Procedure 3
CRJ 234* Introduction to the Courts and American Legal System 3
CRJ 225 Criminal Evidence 3
CRJ 270 Introduction to Criminology 3
Choose 9 units from the following program electives:
Any CRJ course 1-6
ART 135 Darkroom Photography I 3
ART 141 Introduction to Digital Photography I 3
BUS 107 Business Speech Communications 3
COM 101 Oral Communications 3
CPD 116 Substance Abuse-Fundamental Facts and Insights 3
CPD 117 Introduction to Counseling 3
CPD 129 Communication Techniques 1
STAT 152 Introduction to Statistics 3
SW 230 Crisis Intervention 3
Any IS, COT, or CIT course 1-6
Any Foreign Language 1-6
Any PSY or SOC 1-6
General Education Requirements 24 Units
English/Communications Requirement:
Recommend ENG 101 and 102
6
Humanities Requirement 3
Mathematics Requirement:
Recommend MATH 120 or higher
3
Science Requirement 3
U.S. and Nevada Constitution Requirement 3
General Electives 6
*Direct transfer to UNR for CRJ Major

Suggested Course Sequence


CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Associate of Applied Science
First Semester Units Third Semester Units
CRJ 104 3 CRJ 155 3
ENG 101 3 CRJ 211 3
General Elective 3 CRJ 225 3
Humanities 3 Program Elective 3
Mathematics 3 Science 3
Second Semester Units Fourth Semester Units
CRJ 106 3 CRJ 222 3
CRJ 164 3 CRJ 234 3
Program Elective 3 CRJ 270 3
General Elective 3 Program Elective 3
ENG 102 3 U.S./NV Constitution 3