Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Criminal Justice, A.A.S

Associate of Applied Science
Northern Virginia Community College

Purpose: The curriculum is designed to provide a broad foundation that will prepare students to enter any of the varied fields in criminal justice or to prepare for professional advancement. Job opportunities for students include local, state, and federal enforcement officers, police officers, private or government investigators, adult/juvenile correction officers, probation/parole officers and counselors, security directors (managers), loss prevention directors, classification managers, and personnel clearance administrators. Most of the ADJ courses in this curriculum are 'core courses' that provide a basic entry-level foundation in both criminal justice and security administration. These courses must be taken by ALL STUDENTS in this program. At several points in the curriculum, 'course options' are provided for selection by the students.

Special Curriculum Admission Requirements: Students are advised that many criminal justice and private/government security agencies require excellent moral character and a written record of conduct prior to consideration for employment.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Criminal Justice, A.A.S
64
Criminal Justice, AAS
64
4000 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 2025-26
64
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 48 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
English Requirements
3
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Social/Behavioral Sciences Requirements
6
Social/Behavioral Sciences Electives
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Humanities/Fine Arts Requirements
3
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
MTh Requirement
3
MTH 154
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ITE Requirement
3
ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HIS Elective Requirement
3
HIS Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
CST Studies Requirement
3
CST 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ADJ Requirements
39
ADJ 100
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 140
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 164
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 105
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 107
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 159
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 211
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 216
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 236
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 248
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 133
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 212
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 228
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript.
Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Northern Virginia Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Business ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in AccountingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Management - Small Business Management SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in AccountingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Business ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Project Management SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Digital Marketing SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in AccountingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in AccountingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Business ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Sciences in Business Administration AssociateAssociate of Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community CollegeAAS Degree in Business ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - AccountingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in AccountingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in ManagementAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Accounting DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Science AccountingBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Business Administration, Major in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Business Administration4-YearIn-Person
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Business AdministrationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearOnline, In-Person
University of LynchburgBA in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia State University B.S. in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in BusinessAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in AccountancyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityAccounting-BSBABachelorBS in Business Admin.4-YearIn-Person, Online
Marymount University Accounting (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeBusiness Administration Major - BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Regent UniversityB.S. in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearHybrid
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityAccounting, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityAccounting, Bachelor of Science (online)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearOnline
Averett UniversityBachelor of Arts in Business AdministrationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Science in Business AdministrationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
Emory & Henry UniversityAccounting (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBusiness - Finance (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBusiness - Management (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeAccounting (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeBusiness - Marketing (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBBA in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Business Administration4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Business Administration in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Business Administration4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management, Major in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, Major in AccountingBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science Degree with a Business Administration MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
13-2011.00Accountants and AuditorsExamine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2022.00Appraisers of Personal and Business PropertyAppraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2031.00Budget AnalystsExamine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
25-1011.00Business Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
13-2041.00Credit AnalystsAnalyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2061.00Financial ExaminersEnforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2054.00Financial Risk SpecialistsAnalyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2081.00Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsDetermine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2082.00Tax PreparersPrepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.Business and Financial Operations Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 64 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Criminal Justice, A.A.S at Northern Virginia Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $219 Per Credit $14,016 $0 $14,016
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.