Criminal Justice Technology
Criminal justice is — at its core — a profession for those who wish to serve their community. Whether you’re interested in a career in law enforcement, corrections, or homeland security, these professions are seeking motivated individuals who are problem-solvers and willing to accept the challenge of building trust, opening lines of communication, and improving the lives and security of others. From enforcing the law to ensuring the secure custody of offenders to preventing a terrorist attack, few career paths provide so many opportunities to make a positive difference in one’s community.
Courses in the program are taught in an engaging and interactive format. In addition to traditional instructional methods, courses include practical exercises, scenario-based instruction, use of technology, and analysis of current events. Faculty are dedicated to student success and helping students to reach their goals.
"Justice is doing for others what we would want done for ourselves." — Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission
Credentialing Options
Criminal Justice Technology, AAS - CIP Code: 43.0104
A 55 18 0
Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50393
This curriculum is designed to provide practical knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations. Study will focus on local, state and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections and security services. The criminal justice system's role within society will be explored.
Emphasis is on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics and community relations. Additional study may include issues and concepts of government, counseling, communications, computers and technology.
Employment opportunities exist in a variety of local, state and federal law enforcement, corrections and security fields. Examples include police officer, deputy sheriff, county detention officer, state trooper, intensive probation/parole surveillance officer, correctional officer and retail loss prevention officer.
All students interested in a career in criminal justice, in a part-time or full-time capacity, must meet the special requirements as dictated by the N.C. Criminal Justice Standards and the N.C. Sheriff's Standards Divisions of the N.C. Department of Justice.
To be employed in this field, it is necessary to be a U.S. citizen.
Note: All or some of the courses in this program may transfer to a 4-year institution. Please see your advisor and/or transfer institution of interest.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion the Criminal Justice Technology AAS degree, the graduate should be able to:
- Explain goals, processes and organizational components of the American Justice System.
- Apply statutory and case law to various legal scenarios.
- Examine issues related to inmate management in a correctional setting.
- Evaluate causes of adult and juvenile delinquent behavior and motivations for criminal activity.
- Demonstrate detection, investigation, and enforcement procedures.
This degree can be completed in a traditional or completely online format. For more information about eDegree programs, please visit the eDegree website. http://edegree.gtcc.edu
Fall Semester I
- ACA Elective Credit: 1 4
- CJC 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJC 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice
Close - CJC 112 Criminology
CJC 112 Criminology
Close - CJC 131 Criminal Law
CJC 131 Criminal Law
Close - CJC 231 Constitutional Law
CJC 231 Constitutional Law
Close - ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry
Close
Total Credits: 16
Spring Semester I
- CJC 121 Law Enforcement Operations
CJC 121 Law Enforcement Operations
Close - CJC 132 Court Procedure and Evidence
CJC 132 Court Procedure and Evidence
Close - CJC 141 Corrections
CJC 141 Corrections
Close - CJC 212 Ethics & Community Relations
CJC 212 Ethics & Community Relations
Close - MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy
MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy
Close
Total Credits: 15
Summer Semester I
- Social/Behavioral Science Elective Credits: 3 3
- Second English/Communications Elective Credits: 3 2
Total Credits: 6
Fall Semester II
- CJC 113 Juvenile Justice
CJC 113 Juvenile Justice
Close - CJC 122 Community Policing
CJC 122 Community Policing
Close - CJC 221 Investigative Principles
CJC 221 Investigative Principles
Close - Criminal Justice Elective Credits: 2-3 1
- Criminal Justice Elective Credits: 2-3 1
Total Credits: 15-16
Spring Semester II
- CJC 161 Introduction to Homeland Security
CJC 161 Introduction to Homeland Security
Close - CJC 232 Civil Liability
CJC 232 Civil Liability
Close - HUM 115 Critical Thinking
HUM 115 Critical Thinking
Close - WBL 111 Work-Based Learning I
WBL 111 Work-Based Learning I
Close - WBL 115 Work Experience Seminar I
WBL 115 Work Experience Seminar I
Close
Total Credits: 14-15
Total credit hours required for degree: 66-68
Electives
1. Criminal Justice Technical Electives
Choose 8-10 credits from:
- CJC 120 Interviews/Interrogations
CJC 120 Interviews/Interrogations
Close - CJC 170 Critical Incident Management for Public Safety
CJC 170 Critical Incident Management for Public Safety
Close - CJC 211 Counseling
CJC 211 Counseling
Close - CJC 213 Substance Abuse
CJC 213 Substance Abuse
Close - CJC 214 Victimology
CJC 214 Victimology
Close - CJC 215 Organization & Administration
CJC 215 Organization & Administration
Close - CJC 223 Organized Crime
CJC 223 Organized Crime
Close - CJC 225 Crisis Intervention
CJC 225 Crisis Intervention
Close - CJC 233 Correctional Law
CJC 233 Correctional Law
Close - WBL 121 Work-Based Learning II
WBL 121 Work-Based Learning II
Close - WBL 125 Work-Based Learning Seminar II
WBL 125 Work-Based Learning Seminar II
Close
2. Second English/Communications Electives
Choose one course from the following:
- COM 120 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
COM 120 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Close - COM 231 Public Speaking
COM 231 Public Speaking
Close - ENG 114 Professional Research & Reporting
ENG 114 Professional Research & Reporting
Close
3. Social/Behavioral Science Electives
Choose one course from the following:
- ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics
ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics
Close - ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics
Close - HIS 111 World Civilizations I
HIS 111 World Civilizations I
Close - HIS 112 World Civilizations II
HIS 112 World Civilizations II
Close - HIS 131 American History I
HIS 131 American History I
Close - HIS 132 American History II
HIS 132 American History II
Close - POL 120 American Government
POL 120 American Government
Close - POL 210 Comparative Government
POL 210 Comparative Government
Close - POL 220 International Relations
POL 220 International Relations
Close - PSY 150 General Psychology
PSY 150 General Psychology
Close - PSY 241 Developmental Psychology
PSY 241 Developmental Psychology
Close - PSY 281 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 281 Abnormal Psychology
Close - SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology
Close - SOC 213 Sociology of the Family
SOC 213 Sociology of the Family
Close - SOC 225 Social Diversity
SOC 225 Social Diversity
Close - SOC 242 Sociology of Deviance
SOC 242 Sociology of Deviance
Close
4. ACA Elective
Choose one course from the following:
- ACA 111 College Student Success
ACA 111 College Student Success
Close - ACA 120 Career Assessment
ACA 120 Career Assessment
Close
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC. During the advising process you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need.
Ed Carolan, Instructor
ecarolan@gtcc.ed
Brad Robertson, Instructor
blrobertson1@gtcc.edu
All full-time and adjunct faculty are also current or former professionals in the criminal justice field.
Careers in criminal justice are found at the federal, state, county, and local levels as well as in the private sector. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2016, roughly three million workers were employed in the criminal justice field.
When you graduate from the criminal justice program, you could occupy positions in local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security. All full-time and adjunct faculty are also current or former professionals in these areas.
Employment opportunities for an Associate’s Degree include, but are not limited to: local police officer, deputy sheriff, county detention officer, crime scene investigation, communications/dispatch, state trooper, state correctional officer, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer, park ranger, wildlife officer, retail loss prevention, and private security.
Yes. A large number of four-year public and private institutions accept all or some of the courses in this program for transfer toward a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice or related field. We strongly encourage you to continue your education to open up additional career paths and improve your promotional opportunities within your chosen field. See your criminal justice program faculty coach or transfer institution of interest for more information regarding transfer credits.
The criminal justice program is incorporating Work-Based Learning as elective credits into the program to allow you to do an internship as part of your studies. You must have completed a certain number of hours, maintained a minimum required GPA, and meet other requirements to be eligible for internship opportunities. See your criminal justice program faculty coach or contact a criminal justice faculty member for more information.
All criminal justice agencies have specific hiring standards that take into account an applicant’s criminal history and other background factors. Though minor violations such as a speeding ticket will not prevent you from being employed in this field, a felony conviction will.
Though not a requirement for program admission, it is necessary to be a U.S. citizen to be employed in the field of criminal justice.