The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Criminal Justice is considered appropriate for persons preparing for employment in many municipal, state, and private police agencies as well as persons considering employment in local, state, federal, and private correctional facilities. The associate degree also is a stepping stone for those students who plan to go on for a bachelor's degree. The associate degree in Criminal Justice has three tracks:
- law enforcement track
- corrections track
- loss prevention/assets protection track
The program requires 60 semester hours:
- 34 hours in general degree requirements
- 18 hours in Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences core courses
- 8 hours in the selected track
The Associate of Applied Science degree can be completed in four semesters if students average 15 hours per semester.
Transfer students must take at least 20 hours of YSU courses. Sixteen (16) semester hours of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences course work must be taken at Youngstown State University.
The associate degree is built upon core/track concept with emphasis (track) areas in:
- law enforcement
- corrections
- loss prevention/assets protection
Core courses for an associate degree are:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| CRJS 2601 | Policing | 3 |
| CRJS 2602 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| CRJS 2603 | Corrections | 3 |
| CRJS 3735 | Crime and Delinquency | 3 |
| CRJS 3719 | Criminal Law | 3 |
Students choose an additional 12 credit hours from one of the emphasis areas. See department for course options.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or SS 1500 | Strong Start Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| PHIL 2625 | Introduction to Professional Ethics (required for major) | 3 |
| One additional Arts and Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| SOC 1500 | Introduction to Sociology (required for major) | 3 |
| PSYC 1560 | General Psychology (required for major) | 3 |
| Natural Sciences (with lab) | 4 | |
| Social and Personal Awareness | 6 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| CRJS 1500 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJS 2601 | Policing | 3 |
| CRJS 2602 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| CRJS 2603 | Corrections | 3 |
| CRJS 3735 | Crime and Delinquency | 3 |
| CRJS 3719 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Loss Prevention/Assets Protection | ||
| Select 12 s.h. from the following: | 12 | |
| Survey of Forensic Science | ||
FSCI 3700 | ||
| Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Science CSI Lab | ||
| Criminal Justice Management Concepts | ||
| Criminal Victimization | ||
| Criminal Justice Information Systems | ||
| Prevention Strategies | ||
| Human Relations | ||
| Loss Prevention and Assets Protection Administration | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 77-79 | |