Colorado Technical University

Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

Our Associate of Science in criminal justice (ASJC) degree program will give you the skills necessary to pursue high ranking criminal justice positions. The program exposes you to the fundamentals of the discipline, including investigation and law enforcement, law and courts, and corrections and parole. The program also has a focus on the juvenile justice system as well as juvenile delinquency.

The ASCJ fulfills the courses necessary for the first half of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice which is equal to two years.

What are the skills that I can expect to acquire after completing the ASCJ degree program?

Graduates should be able to:

• Use of theory and historical perspective of law enforcement, corrections, criminal law, and the courts.
• Describe the various theories of crime and the foundations of the criminal justice environment.
• Demonstrate general, foundational knowledge of human behavior.
• Demonstrate proficient math and communications skills.

Lets see what some possible career opportunities are

Entry-level positions in law enforcement, legal assisting, corrections, dispatching, court services, security, juvenile and victim advocacy, family court work, child and youth work, loss prevention, fraud investigation, court administration, homeland security, crisis work, customs, juvenile correction work, and court-appointed special advocacy will be available to you when you complete the ASCJ degree program.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The study of the dimensions and cases of crime and delinquency will be the focus of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree program. What better goal than to strive to provide you with a sophisticated understanding of the operation of our own society's system of the containment of crime? After successful completion of the BSCJ degree, you will have a solid foundation in law enforcement, the courts and corrections. The interpersonal skills and management skills that the program includes can better prepare you for positions of leadership and responsibility within the criminal justice and community related professions.

What are the skills that you can learn?

Students completing the BSCJ degree curriculum successfully will have the ability to:

• Communicate in written and verbal modes of communication
• Formulate and resolve complex problems independently and creatively
• Work in the criminology arena and identify causes of crime, typologies, offenders, and victims
• Operate within the juvenile justice process
• Apply knowledge of law adjudication, including criminal low, prosecution, defense, court procedures, and legal decision-making
• Work in the area of corrections and parole, including incarceration, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders

What career opportunities are possible for you in these fields?

With a BSJC degree you can be ready to work in a federal agency in careers such as customs agent, immigration and naturalization agent, probation and parole case manager, fish and wildlife agent, law enforcement, dispatcher, corrections officer, case manager, adult court services agent, juvenile court services agent, child abuse investigator, victim services advocate, legal assistant, evidence technician, court officer or records supervisor. A good foundation for law school is a degree focusing on criminal justice.

Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Criminal Justice

The Master of Science in management (MSM) with a concentration in criminal justice is designed to meet the emerging administrative and leadership needs of the criminal justice system. Not only are corrections, law enforcement, and law and the courts expanding, but diversionary and ancillary areas of the criminal justice system are expanding as well. This expansion will afford those with leadership, management skills, and expertise in program evaluation, budgeting, and policy making the opportunity to forge the future of the criminal justice system.

With this program, you will be prepared to manage people, money and programs, as well as lead the planning and decision-making process in the criminal justice system. Completion of this program will result in the student acquiring skills that apply to a wide range of jobs in both the public and non-profit sectors, working within the criminal justice system or in one of its ancillary agencies.

Both the balance needed for developing quality administrative skills, along with the information base necessary to enhance responsible policy-making were developed with the learned direction of leaders in the criminal justice industry for the MSM with concentration in Criminal Justice.

What are some of the things you will learn?

Upon successful completion of the MSM with focus in criminal justice, students should be able to:

• Discuss trends in the development of public policies and apply management principles and policy analysis techniques to current issues facing criminal justice and juvenile justice agencies
• Use research results to enhance administrative problem-solving and decision-making
• Explore proactive strategies that reflect responsible organizational values
• Examine how court rulings, public opinion, research finking, and legislative actions have influenced justice-related polices
• Analyze the realities of translating public policy into operational practice in law enforcement, correctional and juvenile justice agencies
• Evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of justice polices and organizational practices
• Identify innovative approaches for developing rational, fiscally responsible policy choices
• Apply management and leadership theories to the challenges faced by modern public safety agencies

What career opportunities are possible?

The criminal justice system's future is forged by professionals with advanced educational credentials. This program has been designed in content to support a students career objectives through a large range of employment options such as federal, state, and local law enforcement; family social services; court administration, and corrections.

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