Criminal Justice

Serving and Protecting

Analyzing evidence, investigating crimes, working with at-risk youth and working with criminal offenders are some of the duties of individuals employed in the criminal justice field. The Justice program provides you with the knowledge and skills used to protect the public, and work within the court and corrections systems. Taught by experienced faculty, your courses will focus on the needs, operations and administration of the criminal justice system.

The Justice program, designed in conjunction with justice leaders from the Philadelphia area, provides essential knowledge and skills for people new to or already working in the justice field. In addition, employees and their family members of the Philadelphia Police Department and the Department of Corrections may enjoy the following benefits offered by the Justice program:

➢ 15 credits toward a Justice degree for Philadelphia Police Academy graduates
➢ 6 credits toward a Justice degree for Philadelphia Prison Training graduates

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Detectives and Criminal Investigator – est. salary $97,046
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer
– est. salary $85,239
Police Identification and Records Officer – est. salary $97,046

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Transfer Opportunities

Videos & Multimedia

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Criminal Justice degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Gen Ed Req.
FYE 101 - First Year Experience 3 credits   Major Course
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)
3 credits   Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
JUS 101 - Survey of Criminal Justice 3 credits JUS 101 and JUS 131, along with DF 101, DF 201, JUS 221, and JUS 261 will enable students to also earn the Digital Investigations Proficiency Certificate. Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
Major Course
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) 
3 credits    
JUS 131: Technology in Criminal Justice 3 credits JUS 101 and JUS 131, along with DF 101, DF 201, JUS 221, and JUS 261 will enable students to also earn the Digital Investigations Proficiency Certificate. Technological Competency
Major Course
  • This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)
3 credits   Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or
PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors) or
PSYC 222 - Forensic Psychology
3 credits Prerequisite for PSYC 222: JUS 101 or PSYC 101 and ENGL 101  Major Course
JUS 122 - Race and Justice 3 credits Prerequisite: JUS 101 or PLS 101 Major Course
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis* or
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra
3 credits   Quantitative Reasoning
JUS 171 - Juvenile Justice 3 credits    

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
JUS 241 - Criminal Law 3 credits   Major Course
JUS 191 - Victimology and Trauma 3 credits   Major Course
Criminal Justice Elective (choose one): 
any Criminal Justice course (JUS) and/or
DF 101 - Introduction to Digital Forensics
3 credits Students enrolled in the Digital Investigation Proficiency Certificate should select DF 101, DF 201, JUS 261 and JUS 221 as their electives.  Criminal Justice Elective
BIOL 104 - Forensic Biology or 
EASC 111 - Environmental Conservation or
EASC 111H - Environmental Conservation (Honors)
3 or 4 credits   Scientific Reasoning
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication 
3 credits   Oral Communication/Creative Expression

 

Semester 4

 

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
JUS 291 - Contemporary Issues in Justice 3 credits Prerequisites: JUS 101, JUS 171, JUS 241 Major Course
POLS 111 - American Government or
POLS 111H - American Government (Honors) or
BHHS 121 - Addiction Studies or
DF 201 - Digital Forensics II*** or
BLAS 101 - Introduction to Black Studies or
World Language
3 credits Students enrolled in the Digital Investigation Proficiency Certificate should select DF 201.
Students enrolled in the Digital Investigation Proficiency Certificate should select DF 101, DF 201, JUS 261 and JUS 221 as their electives.
 
Criminal Justice Elective (choose two): 
JUS 298 - Criminal Justice Internship or
any Criminal Justice course (JUS) and/or
DF 101 - Introduction to Digital Forensics**
6 credits Students enrolled in the Digital Investigation Proficiency Certificate should select DF 101, DF 201, JUS 261 and JUS 221 as their electives. Criminal Justice Elective
SOC 215 - Criminology   3 credits   Major Course
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

Featured Career

Program Information