Criminal Justice, Associate of Science

The Associate of Science degree program in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for transfer by introducing them to methods for dealing with unlawful behavior. Students seeking careers may be qualified for an entry-level position in the criminal justice field. Graduates have transferred to four-year degree programs in either criminal justice or a related field at such colleges as Rutgers, Rowan, College of NJ, New Jersey City University or John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Graduates of the program have secured positions in parole and probation; private security; corrections; and federal, state and local police agencies. Students have access to computer laboratories and develop their skills in law enforcement computer programs. The cooperative education component allows students to participate in a work experience at any agency of the criminal justice system. This experience gives students a means of making realistic applications of theories learned in the classroom, so they can be better equipped to select their career choices after graduation.

Graduates are able to:

• explain the functions, duties and roles of law enforcement at various levels in the criminal justice system
• apply current theories or models to explain the origin of criminal behavior
• discuss the nature of crimes and offenses based on major theories and current issues
• compare and contrast contemporary perspectives on the legal principles, theories and challenges inherent in the criminal justice system

This degree is offered through the Business and Public Service Department, whose mission is to provide challenging, career-oriented undergraduate programs to business and public service students, educating them to the level of competency needed for successful transfer to four-year institutions or immediate career path entry into the global market.

Raritan Valley Community College Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs are designed to comply with the New Jersey Community Colleges General Education Foundation which supports transfer of courses to NJ Public four-year colleges and universities.  Students who intend to transfer to a NJ college or university can further improve the transfer of courses by using the Recommended Transfer Program (RTP) feature in NJTransfer.org.