Criminal Justice, AAS

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The Criminal Justice program prepares students for a career in such areas as law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security. All students must complete the basic Criminal Justice requirements, then select other Criminal Justice classes in areas of primary interest.

NOTE: Students who have a criminal background can take classes, but employment opportunities in the Criminal Justice field may be limited, depending on the circumstances and agency hiring standards. Additionally, an internship is required for the Criminal Justice AAS degree, and a criminal background may impact a student’s eligibility with certain agencies. Any questions or concerns should be addressed with the Criminal Justice Chair or Faculty.

For more information about the Criminal Justice program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/criminaljustice.

Program Details

Locations: Ankeny and Online

Students may start this program any semester

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
Attend any required information/registration session.

Program Graduation Requirements

To earn a Criminal Justice AAS degree, a student must complete all required coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1

SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1
CRJ 100 - Intro to Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRJ 107 - Survey Crim Justice Agencies Credits: 3
Any 3 credits AAS degree core Social and Behavioral Science/Humanities Credits: 3
Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Math or Science Credits: 3
Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Communications Credits: 3

Semester 2

CRJ 237 - Criminal & Constitutional Law Credits: 3
CRJ 200 - Criminology Credits: 3
Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Distributed Credits: 3
Select 6 credits from Option 1 Credits: 6

Semester 3

Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Distributed Credits: 3
Any 3 credits AAS Degree Core Social and Behavioral Science/Humanities Credits: 3
Select 12 credits from Option 1 Credits: 12

Semester 4

CRJ 294 - CJ Communication Strategies Credits: 3
CRJ 932 - Internship Credits: 3
Select 9 credits from Option 1 Credits: 9

Option 1 Courses

Students are strongly encouraged to speak with a full-time Criminal Justice Instructor about which option courses and AAS Core courses to take.

CRJ 109 - Theories of Interviewing Credits: 3
CRJ 111 - Police and Society Credits: 3
CRJ 120 - Introduction to Corrections Credits: 3
CRJ 128 - Victimology Credits: 3
CRJ 141 - Criminal Investigation Credits: 3
CRJ 178 - E-Crime Investigative Methods Credits: 3
CRJ 179 - White Collar Crime Credits: 1
CRJ 196 - Crime Scene Investigation 1 Credits: 2
CRJ 197 - Crime Scene Investigation 2 Credits: 2
CRJ 201 - Juvenile Delinquency Credits: 3
CRJ 220 - Community-Based Corrections Credits: 3
CRJ 222 - Correctional Treatment Method Credits: 3
CRJ 245 - Scientific Investigation Credits: 3
CRJ 292 - Police Phys Fitness and Cond Credits: 1
CRJ 293 - Crim Justice Report Writing Credits: 1
CRJ 297 - Death & Injury Investigations Credits: 1
CRJ 298 - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Credits: 1
CRJ 301 - Intro to Homeland Security Credits: 3
CRJ 302 - Transportation & Border Sec Credits: 3
CRJ 303 - Intel Analysis & Sec Mgmt Credits: 3
CRJ 305 - Introduction to Cyber Terrorism Credits: 3
CRJ 325 - Intro to Emergency Management Credits: 3
CRJ 326 - Emergency Planning Credits: 3
CRJ 327 - Exercise Design & Evaluation Credits: 3
CRJ 328 - Disaster Response & Recovery Credits: 3
CRJ 329 - Mitigation Credits: 3
CRJ 333 - CSI & Forensic Photography Credits: 2
CRJ 949 - Special Topics Credits: 3
POL 129 - Politics of Terrorism Credits: 3
SOC 200 - Minority Group Relations Credits: 3
NET 120 - Computer Hardware Basics OL Credits: 3
NET 179 - Digital Forensic Analysis I Credits: 3
NET 180 - Digital Forensic Analysis II Credits: 3
NET 373 - Forensic Prac Cybersecurity Credits: 4
NET 932 - Internship Credits: 3

Total Credits Required to Complete this Award - 64

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$170.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4
Books (approximate)	250	250	250	250

Approximate total cost for the program: 11,880**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Assist people in need
Participate in community relations activities
Patrol residential, business and rural areas
Investigate allegations of criminal activity
Process crime scenes and collect evidence
Document all investigative steps in written format
Participate in various court proceedings
Assist judges, attorneys, and victim advocates
Supervise arrested individuals
Monitor adjudicated juveniles and convicted offenders
Protect national security interests
Establish Loss Prevention programs

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
Perform well under stress
Reasoning and common sense
Curiosity and problem solving
Determination and accuracy
Detail orientated and meticulous nature

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

Individual character, good moral and ethical values, and integrity beyond reproach are critical attributes for the student aspiring to a career in criminal justice. Students who have a criminal background may take classes, but employment opportunities in the Criminal Justice field could be limited, depending on the circumstances and agency hiring standards.
An internship is required for this degree, and a criminal background may impact a student’s eligibility with certain agencies.
Depending on the criminal justice agency, there may be physical requirements and/or physical fitness requirements for specific positions.
It is in your best interest to research the position(s) and agency (or agencies) in which you are interested in seeking future employment with, as well as an internship opportunity, and become familiar with the required and desired qualifications.

Program Competencies

Evaluate ethical issues related to criminal justice.
Examine the core criminal justice areas of law enforcement, law and the courts, and corrections.
Produce effective communication, verbally and in writing, using appropriate references and technologies.
Apply critical thinking skills to criminal justice system issues.
Demonstrate the ability to work with others in a professional, respectful and constructive environment.

Nondiscrimination Statement

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu. Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).₍₂₀₁₈₎