ODP.AACJ - AA Criminal Justice (online)

Program Purpose and Student Learning Objectives

Purpose. The Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice equips students with a broad grounding in the Liberal Arts, along with foundational knowledge and skills in human relations and Criminal Justice.

The A.A. in Criminal Justice builds on Point University’s mission, values, and Core Curriculum (General Studies and Character Formation) to accomplish the following student learning objectives:

Objective 1:   Graduates articulate principles for effective interpersonal interactions, including relationship building, problem solving, and dealing with difficult people.

Objective 2:  Graduates articulate the powers and civil rights granted by the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Objective 3:  Graduates explain basic concepts of criminal justice and the structure of the American criminal justice system, including the roles of the courts and police.

Objective 4:  Graduates identify and discuss the impact that societal, psychological, and environmental factors have on criminal behavior and how these may be addressed in the criminal justice system.

Objective 5:   Graduates identify and discuss the differential effects and treatment of people by and/or within the criminal justice system based on racial, ethnic, gender, and age characteristics.

Choosing a Character Core Track. Online students who continue past the associate degree to earn a baccalaureate degree must complete the 15-credit Character Core. The Character Formation courses listed above can fulfil Core requirements. Students must complete one course in each numbered category in sequence. In other words, they must complete one course labeled [1], and then one course labeled [2], and then one course labeled [3]. For details, see the “Character Core” described under the “Biblical Studies Department.”

Recommended Course Sequence. As online students prepare to enter their program, academic advisors prepare a customized course schedule, or “plan of study,” mapping out which courses students should complete in which sessions from start to graduation. These customized plans take into account degree requirements, transfer credits, pace of study, and other factors toward the goal of speeding students to the finish line in the shortest time possible.

Police Academy Transfer Credit. Point University awards up to 9 hours of transfer credit to those who successfully complete the entire 9-week police academy training course offered by the State of Georgia (the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council 408 Hour Basic Law Enforcement Training Course) or the State of Alabama (the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission 520 Hour Basic Training Curriculum).

·   For students pursuing the A.A. in Criminal Justice, academy training fulfils the following degree requirements: CJUS 200 or CJU 300 Criminal Justice (3 credits) and General Electives (6 credits).

·   For students pursuing the B.S. in Criminal Justice or B.S. in Criminal Justice with Pre-Law Emphasis, academy training fulfils the following degree requirements: CJUS 200 or CJU 300 Criminal Justice (3 credits), CJUS 400 or CJU 400 Criminal Law (3 credits), and CJUS 410 or CJU 410 Criminal Procedure (3 credits).

·   For students enrolled in other degree programs, academy training fulfils the following degree requirements: General Electives and/or certain Social & Behavioral Sciences electives (9 credits).