Criminal Justice - Associate Degree
60 credits
The Associate in Criminal Justice introduces students to three areas of the Criminal Justice system: police, courts, and corrections. This degree is interdisciplinary in nature. Studies include the humanities, law, natural, behavioral and social sciences. The curriculum seeks to balance theoretical inquiry with applied knowledge.
This Associate degree satisfies the first two years of the Distance Education Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
The New Mexico General Education course list can be found here.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional & Technical Communication | 3 | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra 1 | 3 | |
or MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Science and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10 | |
Area III: Laboratory Science Course (4 credits): 2 | ||
| Introduction Astro (lec+lab) | 4 | |
or ASTR 1120G | The Planets | |
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory | 4 | |
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Contemporary Problems in Biology | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | 4 | |
| Environmental Science I | 4 | |
| Physical Geography | 4 | |
| Survey of Physics with Lab | 4 | |
Two Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Courses (6 credits) | ||
| Introduction to Anthropology | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Macroeconomic Principles | 3 | |
or ECON 2120G | Microeconomics Principles | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
or SOCI 2310G | Contemporary Social Problems | |
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Choose one from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literature | 3 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 | |
| United States History I | 3 | |
or HIST 1120G | United States History II | |
| Western Civilization I | 3 | |
or HIST 1160G | Western Civilization II | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
or PHIL 2230G | Philosophical Thought | |
| Quest for God | 3 | |
or PHIL 2110G | Introduction to Ethics | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
or ARTS 1145G | Visual Concepts | |
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | 3 | |
or MUSC 1110G | Music Appreciation: Jazz | |
| Introduction to Theatre | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| CJUS 1110G | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| CJUS 1110G is also required and will count towards both the General Education and Core Requirements | ||
| CJUS 1120 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJUS 2220 | The American Law Enforcement System | 3 |
| CJUS 2150 | Corrections System | 3 |
| CJUS 2120 | Criminal Courts and Procedure | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Related Course Requirements | ||
| Select 8 credits from NMSU College of Arts and Sciences second language requirements. | 8 | |
| Other Course Requirements | ||
| OECS 105 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 60 | ||
| Select 5 credits of electives to bring total credits to a minimum of 60. Math prerequisites may satisfy electives however developmental MATH is not included. | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Note: A grade of C- or better is required in all Criminal Justice courses and any courses filling the Arts & Sciences Core Requirements.
| 1 | MATH 1220G College AlgebraMATH 1220G College Algebra,MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics or MATH 2350G Statistical MethodsMATH 2350G Statistical Methods are preferred but any Mathematics course that is higher level than MATH 1220G, excluding MATH 1130G, or higher than MATH 1350G is also accepted. *students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter of the allowable Mathematics course(s) first. |
| 2 | For those students planning to complete the Bachelor of Criminal Justice through NMSU Las Cruces, the Criminal Justice Department prefers a Philosophy course to satisfy the Humanities course. |
| 3 | CJUS 1110G Introduction to Criminal Justice is a General Education Social/Behavioral Science course; it will be counted under the CJ Core Requirements, but not as completing Area IV. |
Second Language Requirements
The College of Arts & Sciences requires completion of a second language through the 2120 level for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree. See the NMSU Catalog for College of Arts and Sciences for additional information on how to satisfy this requirement.
Second Language Requirements:
- Completion of a second language through the 1120 level
- Completion through the 2130 level for native speakers
A Suggested Plan of Study
This roadmap assumes student placement into ENGL 1110G Composition I and a College level MATH, such as MATH 1220G, College Algebra, and demonstrates how to complete an Associate degree in two years. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change. Students are advised to earn a C or better in courses to avoid repeating courses
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| MATH 1220G or MATH 1350G |
College Algebra or Introduction to Statistics |
3 |
| CJUS 1110G | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| AREA V: Humanities | 3 | |
| OECS 105 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional & Technical Communication | 3 |
| AREA III: Laboratory Science | 4 | |
| AREA IV: Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| CJUS 1120 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 1115G or COMM 1130G |
Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking |
3 |
| AREA VI: Creative and Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Second Language I | 4 | |
| CJUS 2150 | Corrections System | 3 |
| CJUS 2220 | The American Law Enforcement System | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Second Language II | 4 | |
| CJUS 2120 | Criminal Courts and Procedure | 3 |
| AREA IV: Social/Behavioral Science Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |