Program: S6100 (from earned AS) or S6150 (from earned AA)

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program at Polk State College provides a broad study of crime and society’s crime control mechanisms and prepares the individual for a professional career in criminal justice. Coursework includes a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of criminal justice, drawing upon a study of criminology, sociology, psychology, law, public policy, and other related disciplines to develop insights into the causes of, and preventative measures for, criminal behavior. The program’s curriculum includes content related to deviant behavior, criminal investigations, corrections, the court system, and criminal justice administration. Emphasis is placed on the ways law enforcement entities work together to implement laws. The roles of the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution are also studied. A graduate of the Criminal Justice Program is prepared for an entry-level career within law enforcement, corrections, the probation and parole arenas, private and industry security, and other criminal justice fields. This program is also beneficial for an employee of a criminal justice agency who is seeking incentive benefits or career advancement. In addition, the program graduate is 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. The student must meet the requirements for college-level mathematics, reading, and writing. Any deficiencies must be satisfied prior to admission to the bachelor’s degree program. A student with an AAS degree is qualified for admission to the bachelor’s degree program once he or she has met the above-mentioned requirements. Any deficiencies in General Education requirements must be satisfied prior to graduation with a bachelor’s degree. If the student’s associate’s degree is from a non-regionally-accredited institution, but is nationally accredited, the degree qualifies for admissions, but a course-by-course evaluation is done according to Polk State College’s transfer practices and policies. 

A student who has previously earned an AS degree should select the following program code in the online application: S6100 Criminal Justice from Earned AS.

A student who has previously earned an AA degree should select the following program code in the online application: S6150 Criminal Justice from Earned AA.

If a student has earned both an AS and an AA degree, he or she should select the AS option (S6100).

Course Progression for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice:

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice curriculum is provided in a flexible format. A student is not required to complete all lower-division courses before enrolling in upper-division courses; however, he or she must take CCJ 3024 Survey of the Criminal Justice System as the first upper-division course. The content from this course provides fundamental information on the necessary components of the criminal justice system, allowing a foundation upon which other courses build. After completion of this course, the student may take upper-division courses in any order. Although a preferred order is designated for the program, there is sufficient reinforcement of key concepts across the curriculum, without redundancy of material, to enable the student to be successful if courses are taken in a different order. This format accommodates the working adult who enrolls 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 are offered at an accelerated pace, allowing a part-time student to complete 9 to 12 credit hours each semester while enrolled in no more than two classes at a time. Each student must take CCJ 4900 Capstone Experience: Criminal Justice, during the last semester prior to graduation and obtain permission from the Program Director before enrolling in this course.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is able to:
PLO 1: Compare and contrast the basic theories, patterns, typologies, and causes of crime.
PLO 2: Examine the roles and challenges faced by the police, courts, and corrections.
PLO 3: Apply criminal justice theories, as well as legal and ethical principles, to crime-related problems.
PLO 4: Differentiate between the structures, functions, and interactions of key institutions in the field of criminal justice.
PLO 5: Implement policing philosophies by incorporating analysis and evaluation of criminal evidence, investigation strategies, and surveillance techniques.
PLO 6: Evaluate correctional philosophies and analyze historical and current dilemmas in corrections.
PLO 7: Outline legal due process, criminal procedures, the defendant’s rights, the victim’s rights, and constitutional rights.