Criminal Justice, BS

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PROGRAM: S6100 (Criminal Justice from Earned AS) or S6150 (Criminal Justice from Earned AA)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice degree program at Polk State College is designed to provide students with a broad study of crime and society’s crime control mechanisms, and prepares individuals for professional careers in criminal justice. Course work includes a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of criminal justice, drawing upon the knowledge bases of criminology, sociology, psychology, law, public policy, and other related disciplines to develop insights into the causes and prevention of criminal behavior. The program curriculum includes content related to deviant behavior, criminal investigation, corrections, the court system, and criminal justice administration. Emphasis is placed on the ways law enforcement entities working together in implementing our laws, as well as the role of the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution are also studied. Graduates of the Criminal Justice program are prepared for entry-level careers in the criminal justice system within law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, private/industry security, and other criminal justice fields. This program is also beneficial to current employees in law enforcement seeking incentive benefits or career advancement. In addition, program graduates are prepared for graduate study in criminal justice and related fields.

ADMISSION CRITERIA:

Admission to this program requires an AS or AA degree (or the equivalent) from a regionally-accredited school or college, and at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 point scale. Students with an AAS degree may need to complete additional general education courses before admission to the program can be granted. If the student’s associate’s degree is from a non regionally-accredited institution, but one that is accredited by a body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, a course-by-course evaluation is done according to Polk State College’s transfer practices and policies.

Students who have previously earned an AS degree should select the following program code in the online application: S6100 Criminal Justice from Earned AS. Students who have previously earned an AA degree should select the following program code in the online application: S6150 Criminal Justice from Earned AA. Students who have both an AA and an AS should select the AS option, S6100.

COURSE PROGRESSION FOR BS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

The BS in Criminal Justice curriculum is designed in a flexible format. Students are not required to complete all lower-division courses before enrolling in upper-division courses and may take most upper-division courses in any order. Although a preferred order is designed for the program, there is sufficient reinforcement of key concepts across the curriculum, without redundancy of material, to enable students to be successful if courses are taken in a different order. This format accommodates working adults who typically enroll part time and must balance class enrollment with work and family responsibilities. In order to promote timely progression toward graduation, most of the upper-division courses will be offered at an accelerated pace, allowing part-time students to complete 9 to 12 credit hours each semester while enrolled in no more than two classes at a time. The capstone course must be taken in the last semester prior to graduation. Students must have permission from the Department Coordinator to take the Capstone Experience.

General Education Requirements (36 Credits Required)

Note: Students who have completed an AA degree at a public Florida college have already met the General Education requirements. Students who have completed an AA degree outside of Florida, or those who have earned an AS or AAS degree, but have General Education courses that vary from the requirements below, should consult with an advisor to determine if acceptable substitutions may satisfy some or all of Polk State College’s General Education requirements. Students with an AAS degree may need to take additional General Education courses.

COMMUNICATIONS (9 CREDITS REQUIRED)

Mathematics (6 Credits Required)

HUMANITIES (6 CREDITS REQUIRED)

HUM 2020 - Introduction to Humanities

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

SOCIAL SCIENCES (ONE COURSE FROM EACH PART) (6 CREDITS REQUIRED)

PART 1

PART 2

NATURAL SCIENCES (9 CREDITS REQUIRED)

PART 1 (ONE COURSE)

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

AS Students
Technical Credits from AS Degree	42
General Education Credits from most AS Degrees	18
Additional General Education Credits	18
*OR*
AA Students
Elective Credits from AA Degree	24
General Education Credits from AA Degree	36
*Additional Technical Credits	18

Note: Any technical credits earned after completion of the AA degree must be CCJ or CJL courses.

UPPER-DIVISION COMMON CORE COURSES (30 CREDITS REQUIRED)

ELECTIVES (CHOOSE FOUR COURSES) (12 CREDITS REQUIRED))

TOTAL CREDITS FOR BS DEGREE: 120

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BS DEGREE PROGRAM

Complete 120 credits as outlined above.
Earn an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language through any of the following means: completion of two years of high school instruction in the same foreign language, completion of a minimum of 8 college-level credits in one foreign language, achievement of minimum scores on a foreign language proficiency exam approved by the Registrar’s Office, or completion of a high school diploma from a foreign country where the student studied in a language other than English.
Complete 25% (30 credit hours) of the program at Polk State College.
Complete at least 25 percent of the upper-division courses required for the BAS program at Polk State College, including the capstone course.