Associate of Arts: Criminal Justice

Home > Programs of Study > Undergraduate Degrees > Associate of Arts: Criminal Justice

Undergraduate Program for Criminal Justice Professionals

The Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice provides students with a foundational understanding of the American criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students explore contemporary issues and challenges in criminal justice while developing essential skills in critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making. The program emphasizes professional responsibility, cultural awareness, and the importance of community relationships in the administration of justice. Graduates are prepared to pursue further education in criminal justice or related fields and to apply their knowledge in entry-level positions within criminal justice and public service settings.

Cost per hour:$475.00
Credit Hours:60 Credit Hours

Request Contact

Apply now

Asynchronous = Accessible

Log in when you’re available, whether that’s at work or at home. Your reading, lectures, and assignments can be completed on your schedule, but maintain a routine thanks to our structured seminars.

Fast track to your degree

Finish in as few as 24 months or sooner depending on transfer credit.

Explore the AACJ Program:

Learning Outcomes:

ACJ-1 Describe the structure, components, and functions of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
ACJ-2 Communicate effectively in writing and speech using basic academic and professional conventions relevant to criminal justice.
ACJ-3 Identify and explain basic issues, trends, and challenges within the criminal justice system using analytical skills.
ACJ-4 Recognize ethical issues and professional responsibilities in criminal justice settings and describe appropriate responses.
ACJ-5 Describe how diversity, culture, and community relationships influence the criminal justice system.

Program Entry Requirements

Application: Students must demonstrate they meet the general admissions requirements
by completing an application.
Student Age: Student identity and age is verified as students are required to submit a copy
of a government issued photo-ID as a part of their admissions process. DSU does not accept
students under the age of 18.
Previous Education: Applicants who present a copy of their high school transcript or GED
are unconditional applications. Applicants who self-certify on their application their
graduation from a high school program are accepted on a conditional basis. Conditional
acceptance requires the successful completion of at least 12 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or
higher to continue in the program. Students who have been enrolled at other higher
education institutions should submit official transcripts for review.
International Students: International students must demonstrate the foreign equivalency of
a high school diploma has been completed. Please see the section on English language
proficiency and the section on Foreign Transcript Evaluation.
Enrollment Agreements: Students must complete an enrollment agreement for each
course in which they enroll. Enrollment takes place by the course and students are charged for
each course individually.

Program Overview

Criminal Justice Core: 18 credit hours

CJ-150 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ-201 Criminology
CJ-202 Criminal Justice Communication
CJ-302 Policing
CJ-305 Corrections
CJ-303 Ethics in Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Electives: 6 credit hours

General Education Requirements: 36 credit hours

3 credit hours communication
3 credit hours composition
3 credit hours mathematics
6 credit hours social science
6 credit hours arts and humanities
6 credit hours science
3 credit hours technology
6 credit hours electives

Estimated Time to Completion

A full-time student completes 24 credit hours per year (eight 3-credit-hour courses), organized
into three terms (Fall (3 courses), Spring (3 courses) and Summer (2 courses)). A full-time student with no transfer credit or credit for prior learning credit would take approximately two-and-one-half years to complete their associate degree. Depending on student goals, outside commitments, transfer credit accepted and the student’s level of academic achievement, it is reasonable to assume that a student could complete the program in a shorter time frame. Students will develop a schedule to completion with their academic counselor.

Program Cost

Total credit hours per program: 60 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $475.00

Total cost with fees: $30,650*

*Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Exact fees may vary by program. Please consult an Enrollment Advisor for the final program cost.

Accreditation

Dunlap-Stone University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. DEAC is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Read More Here.