Criminal Justice (AACJ)

Associate in Arts

This associate degree program helps prepare students for jobs in the courts and in corrections (such as probation and parole), as well as state and federal law enforcement. Most, but not all, of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, and students can complete their first 3 years at WCC before transferring to a 4-year college or university such as EMU for their final year.

This is a high demand, high skill and high wage program as defined by the Michigan Community College Network.

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34,423Median Earnings

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12% 10 Year Employment Growth

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70,504Median Earnings

2295Annual Job Openings

13% 10 Year Employment Growth

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73,237Median Earnings

196Annual Job Openings

7% 10 Year Employment Growth

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2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24

Program is also available online

2023-2024 Academic Requirements

This program helps prepare students for jobs in the courts and in corrections (such as probation and parole) as well as state and federal law enforcement. Most, but not all, of these jobs require at least a bachelor's degree and students can complete their first 3 years at WCC before transferring to other four-year schools such as EMU for their final year.

This is a high demand, high skill and high wage program, as defined by the Michigan Community College Network.

Eastern Michigan University, BA degree and several BS degrees*;
Madonna University, BS degree.

*For those interested in pursuing a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from EMU, students may take additional credit hours at WCC and transfer a total of 94 credits to EMU towards a Bachelor's Degree (124 hours). The following additional classes are recommended: ANT 201, SOC 207, SOC 250, and PSY 257.

Copies can be obtained from the Counseling Office, a program advisor, or from the Curriculum and Assessment Office Web site: https://www.wccnet.edu/learn/transfer-wcc-credits/articulation-agreements.php .

Students must have an Academic Math Level of 3 to enroll in MTH 160. One year of high school algebra is recommended.

Division
Adv Tech/Public Serv Careers
Department
Public Services Careers Dept
Advisors
Kevin Lindsey
Haley Slade
Niki Lee
Janine Militello
First Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
CJT 100   Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJT 111 or   Police/Community Relations
CJT 156   Everyday Law 3-4
COM 102   Interpersonal Communication 3
ENG 111   Composition I 4
Elective   Nat. Sci. Elective(s) 3
Total 16
Second Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
CJT 120   Criminal Justice Ethics 3
CJT 160   Criminal Justice Constitutional Law 3
CJT 209   Criminal Law 3
ENG 226   Composition II 3
MTH 160   Basic Statistics 4
Total 16
Third Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
CJT 208   Criminal Evidence and Procedure 3
CJT 223   Juvenile Justice 3
PSY 100   Introduction to Psychology 3
Elective   Nat. Sci. Lab Elective(s) 3
  Elective(s) (0-1 credits) to reach minimum 60 credits 1
Total 13
Fourth Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
ANT 201   Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
CJT 144 or   Parole, Probation, and Community Corrections
CJT 170   Domestic and International Terrorism 3
CJT 224   Criminal Investigation 3
SOC 100   Principles of Sociology 3
Elective   Arts/Human. Elective(s) 2 Not COM 3
Total 15

Total Credits Required
60