Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Criminal Justice

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Criminal Justice provides students with the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to earn a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and pursue a graduate degree in a related field. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue advancement in several fields including local and federal law enforcement, the courts, corrections, security, and investigations. With a graduate degree, students may pursue employment in several areas including criminal justice professors, lawyers, judges, and statisticians. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Administration of Justice Studies as well as six related Certificates of Completion (CCLs) are available.

Details

Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Criminal Justice (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8144
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (College of Public Service and Community Solutions), Criminology and Criminal Justice, BS

ASU (College of Public Service and Community Solutions), Public Service and Public Policy (Criminology), BS

ASU (Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions), Criminology and Criminal Justice (Policing), BS

NAU, Criminology and Criminal Justice, BS

PC, Public Safety Administration, BAS

RSC, Public Safety Administration, BAS

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU , NAU .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Apply fundamental criminal justice principles to situations related to the criminal justice system.
  • Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
  • Apply foundational principles in criminal justice ethics to analyze real life and hypothetical decision-making situations.
  • Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
  • Utilize technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
  • Demonstrate techniques and skills for developing and maintaining a collaborative and inclusive environment.
  • Synthesize multiple sources of information to support decision making.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Bailiffs
$40,180
Correctional Officers and Jailers
$45,070
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
$62,670
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$88,140
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$98,610
Intelligence Analysts
$88,140
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
$100,330
Judicial Law Clerks
$63,860
Lawyers
$126,600
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$68,060
Police Identification and Records Officers
$88,140
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$56,120
Public Safety Telecommunicators
$46,880
Security Guards
$33,600
Statisticians
$97,450
Transit and Railroad Police
$71,000

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Critical course Gateway course SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM Requirement SB or SB or L or SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative Recommend FOR105 or FOR106. SG or SQ 4
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend selecting a course that satisfies the Global [G] or Historical [H] awareness area. HU 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS123 Ethics and the Administration of Justice HU 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative Recommend FOR105 or FOR106. SQ 4
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Critical course Gateway course SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM Requirement SB or SB or L or SB 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application CS 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3
AJS123 Ethics and the Administration of Justice HU 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative Recommend FOR105 or FOR106. SQ 4
AJS109 or
AJS113 or
AJS200 or
AJS212 or
AJS225 or
AJS230 or
AJS240 or
AJS270 or
AJS275		 Substantive Criminal Law or Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices or Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Juvenile Justice Procedures or Criminology or The Police Function or The Correction Function or Community Relations or Criminal Investigation I Consult with an academic, faculty, or program advisor to select 3 to 12 credits of coursework from the following. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific requirements. None or SB or None or SB or None or None or SB or None 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative Recommend FOR105 or FOR106. SG or SQ 4
Electives General Electives 0–3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Recommend selecting a course that satisfies the Global [G] or Historical [H] awareness area. HU 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with an AJS faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16456309).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Criminal Justice