Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice

Associate of Applied Science
Mountain Empire Community College

The Criminal Justice degree aims to prepare individuals for careers in criminal justice and related occupations. It is not designed to train for any specialty, but rather to provide a broad foundation. Through a combination of didactic and hands-on experiences, this program equips students with the knowledge and skills to enter any of the many criminal justice fields.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate proficiency in discussing current Criminal Justice Issues.
2. Perform job within the legal/constitutional framework.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in proper procedures of Criminal Investigation techniques.
4. Identify, exhibit and apply ethical behavior on the job.
5. Demonstrate appropriate workplace behavior and exhibit appropriate interpersonal communication skills.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.
Each applicant must meet with the College’s Protective Services faculty for a personal interview. Applicants not already employed in criminal justice are cautioned as to the qualifications usually required for criminal justice agency employment: 1) Excellent moral character, no felony convictions or any crime involving moral turpitude, nor an excessive number of traffic citations. 2) A background investigation is normally conducted by the employing agency to confirm these conditions.
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 Mountain Empire Community College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Job openings are available in the law enforcement and the protective services fields with positions open in public law enforcement agencies, private security firms, as well as state and federal agencies.
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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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 The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Credit for Prior Learning VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1
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: Mountain Empire Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
First Year Student Catalog Year The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
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
Northern Virginia Community CollegeCriminal Justice: Homeland Security Specialization, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Central Virginia Community CollegeAAS in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science 2-YearIn-Person, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Northern Virginia Community CollegeCriminal Justice, A.A.SAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community CollegeCriminology and Criminal Justice, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections ScienceAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police ScienceAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of JusticeAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Marymount University Criminal Justice (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Science Criminal Justice and CriminologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Regent UniversityA.S. in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Science4-YearHybrid
Regent UniversityB.S. in Criminal JusticeBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearHybrid
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityCriminal Justice, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityCriminal Justice with concentration in Forensic Crime Scene Investigation, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal JusticeBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal JusticeBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Criminal JusticeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science Degree with an Elementary Education (PreK-6) MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
11-9199.11Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site ManagersPlan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.Management Occupations
11-9199.02Compliance ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.Management Occupations
25-1111.00Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
33-1012.00First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesDirectly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.Protective Service Occupations
11-9199.08Loss Prevention ManagersPlan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.Management Occupations
11-9199.00Managers, All OtherAll managers not listed separately.Management Occupations
11-9199.01Regulatory Affairs ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.Management Occupations
11-9199.10Wind Energy Development ManagersLead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.Management Occupations
11-9199.09Wind Energy Operations ManagersManage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
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