Criminal Justice (AACJ)

Associate in Arts

This associate degree program helps prepare students for jobs in the courts and in corrections (such as probation and parole), as well as state and federal law enforcement. Most, but not all, of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, and students can complete their first 3 years at WCC before transferring to a 4-year college or university such as EMU for their final year.

This is a high demand, high skill and high wage program as defined by the Michigan Community College Network.

Career Outlook in Michigan

51,767Median Earnings

1227Annual Job Openings

7% 10 Year Employment Growth

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34,469Median Earnings

1443Annual Job Openings

10% 10 Year Employment Growth

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73,105Median Earnings

2088Annual Job Openings

10% 10 Year Employment Growth

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73,237Median Earnings

208Annual Job Openings

6% 10 Year Employment Growth

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2024-2025 Academic Requirements

This program helps prepare students for jobs in the courts and in corrections (such as probation and parole) as well as state and federal law enforcement. Most, but not all, of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree and students can complete their first 3 years at WCC before transferring to other four-year schools such as EMU for their final year.

This is a high demand, high skill and high wage program, as defined by the Michigan Community College Network.

Central State University, BS degree;
Eastern Michigan University, BA degree and several BS degrees*;
Madonna University, BS degree.

*For those interested in pursuing a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from EMU, students may take additional credit hours at WCC and transfer a total of 94 credits to EMU towards a Bachelor's Degree (124 hours). The following additional classes are recommended: ANT 201, SOC 207, SOC 250, and PSY 257.

Copies can be obtained from the Counseling Office, a program advisor, or from the Curriculum and Assessment Office Web site: https://www.wccnet.edu/learn/transfer-wcc-credits/articulation-agreements.php .

Students must have an Academic Math Level of 3 to enroll in MTH 160. One year of high school algebra is recommended.

Division
Adv Tech/Public Serv Careers
Department
Public Services Careers Dept
Advisors
Kevin Lindsey
Haley Slade
Niki Lee
Janine Militello
First Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
CJT 100   Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJT 111 or   Police/Community Relations
CJT 156   Everyday Law 3-4
ENG 111   Composition I 4
MTH 160   Basic Statistics 4
Total 14
Second Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
CJT 120   Criminal Justice Ethics 3
CJT 160   Criminal Justice Constitutional Law 3
COM 102   Interpersonal Communication 3
ENG 226   Composition II 3
PSY 100   Introduction to Psychology 3
Total 15
Third Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
ANT 201   Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
CJT 208   Criminal Evidence and Procedure 3
CJT 209   Criminal Law 3
CJT 223   Juvenile Justice 3
Elective   Nat. Sci. Lab Elective(s) 3
Total 15
Fourth Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
CJT 144 or   Parole, Probation, and Community Corrections
CJT 170   Domestic and International Terrorism 3
CJT 224   Criminal Investigation 3
SOC 100   Principles of Sociology 3
Elective   Arts/Human. Elective(s) 2 Not COM 3
Elective   Nat. Sci. Elective(s) 3
Elective   Open elective(s) to reach a minimum of 60 total credits. 1
Total 16

Total Credits Required
60