Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice

Associate of Applied Science

Virginia Western Community College

The Criminal Justice program prepares students for jobs as a Police Officer, Sheriff's Deputy, Jailor, Probation Officer, School Resource Officer, Private Security Officer, Retail Security Specialist, and other criminal justice careers.

Program Credit Requirements

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	Do you want to help make your community safer? Do you have the desire to serve your community by working with suspects and/or victims of crime? Do you have the integrity needed to enforce the law fairly? Do you want to help offenders learn how to live in a free society so they won't return to prison?
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Students who have satisfactorily documented successful completion of the VA State Police Academy or a Regional and Independent Certified Training Academy will be awarded credit for courses in this program. Appropriate documentation is required and must be submitted to the Criminal Justice Department Head or to the Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Western Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	The Associate of Applied Science degree does not take the place of attendance at a basic academy which most police, corrections, or security agencies require to be employed by that agency. However, the Criminal Justice curriculum will help prepare one academically for successful completion of an agency or regional academy.
Doing More With Your Degree	AAS degrees prepare students for direct employment upon completion of the degree. However, many programs may also transfer to four-year institutions. Students interested in transferring should verify program requirements with specific four-year institutions and with the program head for Criminal Justice. Virginia Western has entered into many articulation and guaranteed admissions agreements specific to the Criminal Justice program. This list is subject to change, and the most current agreements can be found on our Transfer Agreements page.
Program Successes & Highlights	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/ie/research/student-goals/

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning	Yes
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Western Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

519

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the VCCS, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 9,000 students in credit courses and more than 1,400 enrollments in fast-track career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Rappahannock Community College	AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Criminal Justice Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Online
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community College	General Studies - Specialization in Administration of Justice Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Administration of Justice, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	AAS Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Administration of Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Northern Virginia Community College	Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Corrections Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Correctional Services	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate in Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Eastern Shore Community College	General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Eastern Shore Community College	Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Liberal Arts Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community College	General Studies Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	General Studies, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Blue Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Central Virginia Community College	AAS in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Danville Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Online
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
New River Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Patrick & Henry Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Administration of Justice: Homeland Security Specialization, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
25-1111.00	Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
33-1012.00	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.	Protective Service Occupations
33-1011.00	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.	Protective Service Occupations
19-4099.00	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099.01	Quality Control Analysts	Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099.03	Remote Sensing Technicians	Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9199.11	Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers	Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.	Management Occupations
11-9199.02	Compliance Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.	Management Occupations
11-9199.08	Loss Prevention Managers	Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.00	Managers, All Other	All managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
11-9199.01	Regulatory Affairs Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.10	Wind Energy Development Managers	Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.	Management Occupations
11-9199.09	Wind Energy Operations Managers	Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.	Management Occupations
33-3012.00	Correctional Officers and Jailers	Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3011.00	Bailiffs	Maintain order in courts of law.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3051.04	Customs and Border Protection Officers	Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3021.00	Detectives and Criminal Investigators	Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3021.06	Intelligence Analysts	Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3021.02	Police Identification and Records Officers	Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3051.00	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.	Protective Service Occupations
33-9021.00	Private Detectives and Investigators	Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.	Protective Service Occupations
19-3039.03	Clinical Neuropsychologists	Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3039.02	Neuropsychologists	Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3039.00	Psychologists, All Other	All psychologists not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3041.00	Sociologists	Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations