Program Details
Program Details
Back to top
Associate of Applied Science
Rappahannock Community College
Top
Bottom
Program Details
AAS Degree in Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied ScienceAAS Degree in Criminal Justice
Rappahannock Community College
Criminal Justice encompasses the career fields of law enforcement, corrections, and private security. The Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to meet both the academic and the technical needs of those employed in the field of Criminal Justice. This two-year program will provide knowledge and skills for the beginning employee as well as the more experienced employee desiring career advancement. After taking the required general education and major classes, students may select up to twelve credits of electives in law enforcement, corrections, and private security.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students must select a course for each course requirement from the applicable required course list.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Related Programs & Certifications

On Completion You Are Ready For
Credential
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Link
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Link
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
AAS Degree in Criminal Justice
66
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the program is required for graduation.
AAS Degree in Criminal Justice
66
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the program is required for graduation.
Residency requirement
66
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 49 credits may be applied to this program.
Course requirements
66
ADJ 100-Surv of Crim Justice
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111-College Composition I
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 132 or Higher Level Math
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Social Science Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ADJ 227-Constitutional Law
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100-College Success Skills
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ADJ 201 or SOC 236-Criminology
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ENG 112-College Composition II
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 236-Prin of Crim Investig
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Electives
9
Earn 9 credits: Complete the following
Earn 9 credits: Use the following rules
AND
ITE 100-Intro to Info Systems
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ADJ 140-Intro to Corrections
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 105 or SOC 235-Juv Justice
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HLT 121-Subst Abuse: Prev&Trea
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Health or Phys Ed Elect
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
CST 100 or BUS 236-Pb Spk/Comm
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ADJ 116-Special Enforcemnt Top
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 211-Crim Law,Evidence,Proc
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ADJ 225-Courts & Admin Justice
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Appr Humanities/FA Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Social Science Electives
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Health or Phys Ed Elect
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator. Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your program of study. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your program of study. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Y |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
156
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | https://www.schev.edu/students/making-decisions-about-college |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by the first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by the first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies -Specialization in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Cybersecurity, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Information Technology, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, 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, 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, Online |
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 | In-Person, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
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 |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S. | Associate | Associate of 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, Online |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Correctional Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Corrections Science | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, 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 Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 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 |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge 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 | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | 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 | In-Person, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | 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 |
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 |
Cost To Complete
