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.

Criminal Investigator – est. salary $82,174
Police Patrol Officer – est. salary $77,196
Police Detective  – est. salary $82,174
Police Identification and Records Officer – est. salary $82,174
Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff – est. salary $77,196*

**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
map animation where the the Community College of Philadelphia is centered, the map zooms out to show the surrounding counties highlighted representing the areas of job and career growth.
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Criminal Justice students in a CCP class.
Students learning about criminal justice at CCP.
CCP students studying criminal justice.
Criminal justice students at CCP.

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 Course Type
FYE 101 – First Year Experience 3 credits   Major Course
ENGL 101 – English Composition I 3 credits   ENGL 101
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. Major Course
SOC 101 – Intro. To Sociology 3 credits   Social Science Writing Intensive, Interpretive Studies, AM/Global Diversity
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. Major Course, Technological Competency
  • 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 3 credits   ENGL 102 – Info Literacy
PSYC 101 - Intro. To Psychology 3 credits   Major Course
JUS 241 - Criminal Law 3 credits   Major Course
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra (or higher) 3 credits   Mathematics
JUS 171 - Juvenile Justice 3 credits   Major Course

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
Criminal Justice Elective (choose three):
any Criminal Justice course (JUS) and/or
DF 101- Introduction to Digital Forensics		 9 credits Prerequisite for JUS courses: JUS 101

Prerequisite for DF 101: JUS 101 or PLS 101
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.

 Criminal Justice Elective
BIO 104 - Forensic Biology or 
EASC 111 - Environmental Conservation		 3 credits   Natural Sciences
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication or
World Language		 3 credits   Humanities

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
BHHS 121 - Addiction Studies
World Language or
DF 201 - Digital Forensics II		 3 credits Prerequisite for DF 201: DF 101 
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.		  
Criminal Justice Elective (choose two):
any Criminal Justice course (JUS) and/or
DF 101 - Introduction to Digital Forensics		 6 credits Prerequisite for JUS courses: JUS 101
Prerequisite for DF 101: JUS 101 or PLS 101		 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.

View the College Catalog for More Information

Featured Career

Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff

Enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury, or escort defendants.  

Median Salary
$77,196 

Number of Jobs
6,273
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
6%

Typical Tasks

  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
  • Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
  • Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
  • Take control of accident scenes to maintain traffic flow, to assist accident victims, and to investigate causes.
  • Execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody.

How well does it pay?

New workers generally start around $50,267. Normal pay for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs is $77,196 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $88,125.

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Program Information

Criminal Justice

Degree Type:

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

60

Online Learning Availability:

80% or Greater

Related Programs:

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