Administration of Justice

Students who wish to pursue an education in the area of Criminal Justice have several options from which to choose. The options include:
 

Award

Credits

Associate Degree in Administration of Justice 66 or 67
Certificate in Administration of Justice Certificate (transfer option) 33
Career Studies Certificate in Applications in Law Enforcement 18

Students may be eligible to receive credit for some courses in these curricula through the College’s advanced standing process. Examples include credit by examination or by articulation agreement.

Administration of Justice

Award: Associate in Applied Science Degree
Major: Administration of Justice

Possible occupations for graduates (depending upon the level of education and training): police officer, trooper, deputy sheriff, jailer, correctional officer, investigator, security guard, and loss prevention manager.

The A.A.S. degree program with a major in Administration of Justice is designed to be a highly flexible and customizable program for people who seek full-time employment in the criminal justice system as well as for in-service officers. This degree is for students who do not plan to earn a bachelor’s degree.

In-service sworn personnel who document graduation from the basic law enforcement school at a Department of Criminal Justice Services Regional Academy will be eligible for credit for ADJ 100, ADJ 115, ADJ 211, ADJ 236, and 3 hours in physical education, upon successful completion of the remainder of the ADJ A.A.S. curriculum or ADJ certificate. In-service sworn personnel who document graduation from the Virginia State Police Academy will be eligible for credit for ADJ 100, ADJ 115, ADJ 211, ADJ 236, six (6) hours of ADJ electives, and 3 hours in physical education. Some additional courses offered by or through the Academies also may be eligible for college credit, but only if taken after enrolling concurrently at BRCC. Please contact the Admissions and Records Office for details.

Curriculum

First Semester

Course No. Title Credits
ADJ 100 Survey of Criminal Justice 3
ENG 111 College Composition I 3
ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts 3
SDV 100 College Success Skills 1
  Social/Behavioral Science Elective a 3
  General Elective 3
    16

Second Semester

Course No. Title Credits
ADJ 120 Introduction to Courts 3
  ADJ Elective 3
  ADJ Elective 3
MTH MTH 103 or higher math course 3
  or  
  any Laboratory Science (4)
ENG 112 College Composition II 3
  HLT/PED Elective 2
    17- 18

Third Semester

Course No. Title Credits
ADJ 140 Introduction to Corrections 3
  ADJ  Elective 3
  ADJ  Elective 3
  ADJ  Elective 3
ADJ 133 Ethics for the Criminal Justice Professional 3
  Humanities/Fine Arts Elective a 3
    18

Fourth Semester

Course No. Title Credits
  ADJ  Elective 3
  ADJ  Elective 3
  ADJ  Elective 3
ADJ 215 Report Writing b 3
  Social/Behavioral Science Elective a 3
    15
  Total credits required 66-67

a SPA 101 is recommended. Please refer to  the list of Humanities/Fine Arts and Social/Behavioral Science electives that are approved to fulfill these requirements. SOC 235 and SOC 236 are recommended Social/Behavioral Science electives.

b ENG 111 must be taken prior to ADJ 215.

Transfer Option: Administration of Justice

Award: Certificate

The Administration of Justice Certificate is designed for students who anticipate careers in law enforcement, corrections, and related areas. The course work and program are designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs and career advancement. This certificate is also for students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Students who wish to earn the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in College/University Transfer may apply all course work from this certificate to the degree. Blue Ridge Community College has formed partnerships with selected four-year institutions, so that upon completion of both certificate and the associate degree program, students who transfer into Administration of Justice majors will have General Education requirements satisfied and will be granted junior standing. The College has these agreements with James Madison University, Radford University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Curriculum

First Semester

Course No. Title Credits
ADJ 100 Survey of Criminal Justice 3
  ADJ Elective a 3
  ADJ Elective a 3
ENG 111 College Composition I 3
ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts 3
    15

Second Semester

Course No. Title Credits
  ADJ Elective a 3
  ADJ Elective a 3
  ADJ Elective a 3
ENG 112 College Composition II 3
SPD 110 Introduction to Speech Communication 3
  SOC Elective b 3
    18
  Total credits required 33

a Select from ADJ courses from Approved List of Transfer Electives.

b  Choose either SOC 235 or SOC 236

Career Studies Certificate Option

Applications in Law Enforcement
Award: Career Studies Certificate

Purpose: to provide a flexible set of learning experiences that will enhance the education and professional development of both in-service officers and those aspiring to criminal justice careers. Completion of this career studies certificate also will benefit people who are interested in learning how the criminal justice system works. This career studies certificate is for students who may want to earn the A.A.S. degree in Administration of Justice.
 

Course No. Title Credits
ADJ 100 Survey of Criminal Justice 3
ADJ 111 Law Enforcement Administration I 3
ADJ 229 Law Enforcement and the Community 3
ADJ 232 Domestic Violence 3
  ADJ Elective a 3
ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts 3
  Total credits required 18

a SPA 150 may also be used

Related information:  Administration of Justice Department Site