Liberal Arts - Criminal Justice

Catalog 2023-2024

Associate in Arts Degree

Criminal Justice Transfer is a program specifically designed for students applying to 4-year academic institutions offering bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice or a related field.

Criminal Justice is the study of the rule of law within a democratic society. The classroom learning experience focuses on law enforcement agencies like local and state police, as well as the FBI. Students also learn about the court system, including the role of the prosecutor and defense counsel. The correctional system plays a vital, yet sometimes ignored, role in society so students will study the culture of jails and prisons, the role of correction’s officers, along with treatment methods regarding offenders.

A strong general education core is combined with essential courses in Police Administration and Operations, Criminology, Forensics, Research and Statistics, and Law and Ethics.

Our Criminal Justice Transfer Program provides a solid foundation and a seamless transition to colleges and universities. We have a proven track record of success with our program transfers.
Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Program will be able to:

  • Articulate their place in human culture and the global society from a multi-disciplinary perspective acquired through the study of the social sciences, humanities, history, natural sciences, mathematics, arts, and languages.
  • Explain the functions and responsibilities of law enforcement and corrections at various levels in the criminal justice system.
  • Evaluate the causal factors of crime.
  • Discuss the nature of crimes and offenses based on major theories and current issues.
  • Critique perspectives on legal principles and challenges inherent in the criminal justice system.
  • Use appropriate tools of research and analysis to produce effective written communication.

Recommended Course Sequence

Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion.  Courses may have prerequistie or corequistie requirements.  Check course descriptions for details.

Semester I

ENG-121

English Composition I
3

CJU-123

Introduction to Criminal Justice
3

__ __

GE Mathematics Elective
3

MAT-123 is recommended.

PSY-123

Introduction to Psychology
3

SOC-121

Introduction to Sociology
3

Semester 2

ENG-122

English Composition II
3

SOC-140

Introduction to Criminology
3

__ __

GE Laboratory Science Elective
3

SCI-206 is recommended.  Choose one 3-credit GE Lab Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).  Students may elect to take a 4-credit GE Lab Science Elective in consultation with an academic advisor.

SPE-121

Fundamentals of Public Speaking
3

POS-201

United States State and Local Government
3

OR

POS-220

United States National Government
3

Semester 3

__ __

History Elective
3

Select one of the following History sequences:

HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222

COR-201

Introduction to Correction Administration
3

__ __

GE Humanities - Language Elective
3

Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).

__ __

GE Mathematics or Science Elective
3

Choose one 3-credit Mathematics or Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).  Students may elect to take a 4-credit GE Mathematics or Science Elective in consultation with an academic advisor.

POS-231

Constitutional Law
3

Semester 4

__ __

History Elective
3

Select one of the following History sequences:

HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222

PHI-123

Ethics
3

POL-204

Law Enforcement and the Community
3

__ __

GE Technology Elective
3

Take CSC-105 or CSC-106.

__ __

GE Humanities - Language Elective
3

Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).

Total Credits 60

Contact Information
History and Social Sciences

Contact Name: Timothy Hack, department chair 
Contact Phone: 732.906.2590
Contact Email: HSS@middlesexcc.edu 
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/history-social-science/


Frequently Asked Questions