Criminal Justice

If you are looking for an opportunity for public service in a challenging job that involves personal responsibility, you may find success in the criminal justice field. Knowledge of sociology, psychology, government and law is helpful in preparing for this career.

Ivy Tech Community College's associate of science degree in Criminal Justice prepares you to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice or criminology at a four-year institution.

Through your choice of electives, you can study:

Corrections: Vigorous law enforcement and stringent sentencing rules have increased the number of people being held for trial or imprisoned for their crimes in the last decade. Corrections officers monitor people being detained for trial and those who have been imprisoned.

Forensics: Forensics officials assist in the criminal investigative process, assess crime scenes and evidentiary material, and testify in court. This concentration places emphasis on developing the skills needed to supplement traditional law enforcement roles with a specialization interest in forensics.

Law Enforcement: Law enforcement officials provide assistance, respond to emergency calls, investigate crime scenes, and testify in court.This concentration places emphasis on developing the skills needed to be a police officer, including law, community relations, procedural law and criminal investigations.

Youth Services: This coursework will prepare you to work with youth offenders and their families as they navigate the judicial and correctional system. Youth services professionals strive to prevent youth offenders from committing future crimes by helping the youth and the families discover the causes of illegal behavior.

Check out the Ivy Tech Guided Pathway to Success (Ivy Tech GPS) icons to map out your pathway for success.

SAMPLE CAREERS IN THIS FIELD
Corrections Officer, Law Enforcement Officer

DEGREES AVAILABLE
Associate of Science, Associate of Science via Ivy Tech Online, Associate of Applied Science. NOTE: The number of credits required for a degree or certification is based on students who are program-ready and does not include non-academic skills courses. Availability of degrees varies by campus. Contact your campus of interest below for more information.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Minimum of 60 credit hours)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs are two-year programs that prepare students for careers, career changes and career advancement. Students who need to take longer to complete the degree because of job or family obligations can take the program over a longer period of time. AAS programs may also prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. These programs offer education in recognized technical areas and specialties with emphasis on analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The program content, which is approximately 30% general education and 70% professional/technical, provides depth and breadth in conceptual and professional/technical skills. The general education courses equip students with the problem solving, communications, scientific and mathematical skills to compete successfully in the job market. Professional/technical courses equip students with the skills to obtain employment and to advance in the workforce.

This degree is also available online. See below for more information.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Minimum of 60 credit hours)

The Associate of Science degree prepares you for transfer to a university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice transfers to some Indiana public and private colleges and universities. Graduates will also earn the Transfer General Education Certificate.

To find out information about your transfer options to public and private universities, contact your academic advisor or the transfer office of your local Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the institution and consult the current catalog and web page of the institution to which you wish to transfer.

This degree is also available online. See below for more information.

IVY TECH ONLINE DEGREE OPTIONS

You also have the option to earn an Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science via Ivy Tech Online, completely online options. This virtual option provides students with the same content and knowledge as our traditional program, but is delivered entirely through our distance education delivery system.

• Associate of Science in Criminal Justice via Ivy Tech Online (Minimum of 60 credit hours)