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North Central State College North Central State College

Criminal Justice, AAS

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Graduates of the Criminal Justice program may find employment within city, county, private, and state agencies who are involved with the enforcement of laws, the investigation of criminal acts, corrections, and probation. Positions are also available in the private industry where security and loss prevention are paramount. Some graduates will continue to pursue a bachelor's degree, which expands the employment market to include federal agencies and state agencies.

The qualities that a person should have to be successful include keen powers of observation, mental alertness, emotional stability, ability to work within prescribed rules and regulations, and the ability to handle responsibility and discipline. As the field of criminal justice becomes more sophisticated and complex, advanced training and education become more critical. The two-year curriculum includes courses in forensic science, juvenile delinquency, drugs and narcotics, family violence, criminal and constitutional law, criminology, and criminal investigations.

INDIVIDUALS WITH A FELONY AND/OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTION OR DRUG CONVICTIONS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY GAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD. Students with misdemeanor convictions should seek advice from an advisor in the Criminal Justice program. A fingerprint check is required for .

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for the completion of this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Associate Degree program students will be able to:

  1. Apply the core criminal justice foundation concepts of juvenile justice, criminology, constitutional law, corrections, private security, and U.S. Judicial and Criminal Justice systems in solving and defending logical arguments and applications in the field.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech.
  3. Demonstrate well‐developed analytical and problem solving skills.
  4. Demonstrate proper standards of criminal justice professionalism, morals and ethics.

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Where You Could Go

Common work settings include police/ sheriff’s departments, juvenile facilities, city/county probation, correctional facilities, private security agencies and loss-prevention (retail). Many graduates transfer credits to another college or university bachelor degree program.

NC State has over 40 agreements with four-year colleges and universities, to provide a smooth transition for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree; some of which are offered on the NC State campus or online.

Job Demand

There are a variety of career choices for criminal justice graduates. The field is stable and generally offers good job security, along with advancement opportunities with further training and education.

Criminal Justice Majors of North Central State College are educated as a whole person in habits of critical thinking, leadership, lifelong learning and are also provided the opportunity to acquire the practical skills needed for competent performance in the changing workplace as well as the opportunity of preparation for advanced education.