Criminal Justice Administration, Associate in Applied Science
Total Program Credits: 60-62
The American system of Criminal Justice is comprised of three major components: law enforcement, courts and correctional systems at community, county, state and federal levels.
Criminal Justice Administration is a comprehensive field with career opportunities in several areas: law enforcement; probation, parole and corrections; social-justice services; and security and loss prevention. Prepares students for careers in public and private agencies in the social and criminal justice system. The two-year program includes the study of contemporary and advanced problems in modern law enforcement, as well as criminal justice systems, administration, criminal laws and procedures, police and community relations, and criminalistics.
Students who wish to become probation, parole or corrections officers will receive the necessary foundation through this program. The study of law, social and justice agencies, and criminal offenders is included, with emphasis on corrections.
Study of careers in the social-justice services includes such agencies as the Department of Children and Family Services, Public Aid, Corrections, and psychiatric and medical agencies.
Private Security is an emerging career field in need of personnel with qualified credentials. The Criminal Justice program provides courses to prepare students for entry-level security, armed and unarmed. Areas of employment include corporate, industrial and homeland security, hospital, airline, bank, railroad, as well as college and university security.
Students planning additional study at a four-year college or university should enroll in the Associate in Science (CJA.CJA.AS (U230A43)) or the Associate in Arts degree programs (CJA.CJA.AA, (U224A43), which requires a concentration of general education courses combined with selected core criminal justice courses and electives.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate the fundamental concepts regarding the operation of the criminal justice system in the United States.
- Identify the fundamental elements of law and how they apply to the judicial process.
- Discuss the procedures for the enforcement of law, the processing of an individual through the courts system, and the treatment of offenders within the correctional system.
- Recognize the differences between the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems.
- Apply historical and modern-day theories to explain criminal behavior.
- Demonstrate professional competencies to meet the needs of career opportunities and requirements for employment in the disciplines of the criminal justice system.
- Develop skills for critical thinking and professional writing.
(Reviewed Fall 2023)
Placement Measures
Program Map for Students
| CJA 111 ◊ Introduction to Criminal Justice | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 121 ◊ Introduction to Corrections | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 148 ◊ Police/Community Relations | Core Course | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 100 ◊ Introduction to Psychology | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| SOC 100 ◊ Introduction to Sociology | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| RHT 101 ◊ # English Rhetoric & Composition I | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 18 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan.
Explore transfer institutions and admissions requirements by attending transfer events (if intending to transfer). |
Note: Grade of “C” or higher is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊.
CJA 148 may be used as a Program Elective or a Core Course.
| CJA 161 ◊ Administration of Justice | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 171 ◊ Patrol Administration | Core Course | 3 |
| | | |
| PHL 103 ◊ Ethics | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| PHL 105 ◊ World Religions | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| RHT 102 ◊ # English Rhetoric and Composition II | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| SPE 101 ◊ # Principles of Effective Speaking | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| Take Credits Life Science | Life Science Gen-ed | 3-5 |
| OR | | |
| Take Credits Mathematics | Mathematics Gen-ed | 3-5 |
| OR | | |
| Take Credits Physical Science | Physical Science Gen-ed | 3-5 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 27-33 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
If intending to transfer, create a Transferology account to explore how coursework transfers and attend a Transfer 101 Workshop. |
Note: Grade of ‘C’ or high is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊. Students must complete RHT 101◊, with SPE 101◊, or RHT 101◊ with RHT 102◊. Students intending to transfer are encouraged to complete all three courses: RHT 101◊, RHT 102◊ and SPE 101◊ to meet university requirements.
Take the Life Science course with a lab.
| CJA 175 Report Writing for Criminal Justice | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 181 ◊ Juvenile Delinquency & Law | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 219 ◊ Criminal Law I | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 257 ◊ # Law Enforcement Administration | Core Course | 3 |
| Take Credits Program Electives | Program Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan, if intending to transfer).
Attend a Ready to Apply Workshop. (Minus the GECC Credential) |
Notes: CJA 181 may be used as a Program Elective.
| CJA 201 ◊ # Criminology | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 236 ◊ # Criminal Law II | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 241 ◊ Traffic Enforcement & Administration | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 290 # Criminal Justice Capstone | Core Course | 3 |
| Take Credits Program Electives | Program Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
| Meet with your Academic Advisor to finalize your transfer plan and apply to your transfer institution(s) if intending to transfer.
Submit graduation petition by deadline (check for the specific date in catalog or syllabi.) |
| CIS 101 ◊ Computer Systems & Business Applications | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 106 ◊ Self Defense for the Law Enforcement Professional | Core Course | 2 |
| CJA 107 Stress Manage in Law Enforcement (SMILE) | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 115 ◊ Professional Skills: Private Security-Basic & Firearm Training | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 116 ◊ Current Security Problems | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 117 ◊ Introduction to Private Security | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 118 ◊ Security Administration | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 125 ◊ Principles of Probation & Parole | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 127 ◊ Correctional Counseling | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 131 ◊ Correctional Procedures | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 140 ◊ Introduction to Forensic Science | Core Course | 4 |
| CJA 166 ◊ Criminal Investigation | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 205 ◊ Women in Criminal Justice | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 246 ◊ # Laws of Evidence | Core Course | 3 |
| CJA 296 ◊ Special Topics in Criminal Justice | Core Course | 0.5 - 4 |
| CJA 298 ◊ # Law Enforcement Administration II | Core Course | 3 |
| CWE 290 ◊ # Cooperative Work Experience | Program Elective | 1-3 |
| HTH 175 ◊ Drug & Alcohol Education | Core Course | 3 |
| PED 106 ◊ Total Fitness | Core Course | 1 |
| PED 120 ◊ Personal Defense Activities | Core Course | 1 |
| PHL 101 ◊ Introduction to Philosophy | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| SOC 131 ◊ Social Problems | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| SOC 225 ◊ Racial and Cultural Minorities | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| SSC 190 ◊ Contemporary Society | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 63.5-69 |
(Select courses that meet the requirements of your transfer college.)
Notes: CJA 106 is available to Police Academy students.
Upon petition, students successfully completing professional-training courses sponsored or sanctioned by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, or an equivalent accrediting agency, may receive up to 24 hours of credit. All documentation, including official transcripts, course descriptions, and course outlines, will be reviewed by the program coordinator to determine the number of hours of credit to be granted toward the Associate in Applied Science degree or certificate.
See Associate in Applied Science Graduation Requirements by discipline: https://triton.smartcatalogiq.com/2024-2025/triton-college-catalog/applied-science-programs/associate-in-applied-science-degree-requirements/
See CJA course descriptions.
Chairperson: Gregory Catena, Ext. 3327, email: gregorycatena@triton.edu
KEY
(AAS/CERT) |
| General Education |
Communications, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Science (see individual degree requirements). |
| Core Course |
Course(s) listed in a semester the student is required to take. |
| Program Elective |
Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in the ‘Program Electives’ section (if any) for this program. |
If intending to transfer, choose courses accepted by your transfer institution. |
| General Elective |
Course(s) chosen by the student, if needed, above and beyond core courses and program electives (if any), to complete the Program Total Credits. |
| ◊ symbol |
This course is articulated. (course transfers to 3 or more Illinois State schools, as an elective or equal course-to-course) |
| # symbol |
This course has a prerequisite. (course(s) student takes prior to taking this course) |