Criminal Justice Major

The Associate of Science Degree

Contact Information
Dr. Gary Brummer
731-424-3520 ext. 213
gbrummer@jscc.edu

Program and Career Description

Careers in the field of criminal justice require either an associate' or bachelor's degree depending on the agency. A variety of career opportunities are available in law enforcement as police officers, sheriff' deputies, probation or parole officers and forensics scientists. Career opportunities are also available in the courts as clerks or bailiffs and in corrections. (Effective Fall 2008, pending TBR approval.)

Career Beginning Salary Range Experienced Salary Range Projected % Job Growth Through 2012
Police Officers $22,845 to $27,645 $33,065 to $49,260 11%
Probation / Parole Officers $21,500 to $26,600 $33,500 to $41,400 10%
Detectives and Criminal Investigators $32,180 to $40,690 $72,280 to $86,010 10%

Transfer Options

At Jackson State, we work hard to make sure that you graduate with your associate' degree and arrive at a university prepared to start junior-level courses. That' why we have special articulation agreements with Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) schools that allow students completing the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice degree to transfer as juniors. TBR universities with Criminal Justice degrees include:

  • East Tennessee State University
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Tennessee State University
  • The University of Memphis
  • Other schools in West Tennessee with Criminal Justice degrees include the University of Tennessee at Martin. Students may require additional courses at these universities prior to becoming a junior.

    Accreditation Information

    Jackson State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

    Program Requirements

    (Students may require additional Basic and Developmental courses.)

    Communication Requirement (All required)
    ENGL 1010 English Composition I
    ENGL 1020 English Composition II
    SPE 211 Fundamentals of Speech

    Choose THREE Humanities Courses (One must be a literature Course)
    ART 1010 Art History I
    ART 1020 Art History II
    ART 1030 Art Appreciation
    COM 1030 Intro to Film
    ENGL 2111 American Lit: Pre-Colonial - 1865
    ENGL 2121 American Lit: 1865 - Present
    ENGL 2210 British Lit: Beginnings - 1785
    ENGL 2220 British Lit: 1785 - Present
    ENGL 2310 World Lit: Beginnings - 1650
    ENGL 2320 World Lit: 1650 - Present
    HUM 1010 Introduction to the Humanities I
    HUM 1020 Introduction to the Humanities II
    MUS 1030 Music Appreciation
    PHIL 2110 Introduction to Ethics
    THEA 1030 Introduction to Theatre

    Choose TWO Social and Behavioral Science Courses
    ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics
    ECO 212 Principles of Microeconomics
    GEO 201 Survey of World Regions
    PHED 2050 Health and Wellness
    POLS 1100 U.S. Government and Politics I
    POLS 1200 U.S. Government and Politics II
    PSY 101 General Psychology I
    PSY 102 General Psychology II
    SOC 201 Introduction to Sociology

    Choose TWO History Courses (American History is required for TBR Schools.)
    HIST 1110 Survey of World Civilizations I
    HIST 1120 Survey of World Civilizations II
    HIST 2010 Survey of American History I
    HIST 2020 Survey of American History II

    Choose TWO Natural Science Courses
    BIOL 1110 General Biology I
    BIOL 1120 General Biology II
    BIOL 2010 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
    BIOL 2020 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
    CHEM 1110 General Chemistry I
    CHEM 1120 General Chemistry II
    PHYS 2010 Non-Calculus Based Physics I
    PHYS 2020 Non-Calculus Based Physics II
    PSCI 1010 Survey of Physical Science I
    PSCI 1020 Survey of Physical Science II

    Choose ONE Mathematics Course
    MATH 1630 Finite Math
    MATH 1710 Precalculus Algebra

    Major Requirements
    CJUS 1100 Intro to Criminal Justice
    PHED 2010 First Aid and Safety
    PSY 201 Social Psychology
    SOC 202 Social Problems

    Students can choose either the Digital Forensics or Law Enforcement Option.

    Courses for Digital Forensics Option
    CIS 170 Micro Systems I
    CIS 251 Digital Forensics
    PHED 1020 Self Defense I

    Courses for Law Enforcement Option
    EMT 150 Independent Study
    PHED 1020 Self Defense I
    PHED 1120 Self Defense II
    PSY 102 General Psychology II
    SLR 2999 Service Learning

    The Associate of Science Criminal Justice Major requires 60 college level credits. Some courses have prerequisites and co-requisites. See JSCC Academic Catalog and Student Handbook for further information.

    Sample Schedule

    1st Year, Fall Semester
    Number Course Name Credits
    CJUS 1100 Into Criminal Justice 3
    ENGL 1010 English Composition I 3
    PHED 2010 First Aid and Safety 3
    Natural Science Course 4
    Social Behavioral Science Course 3
    Total Credits 16
    1st Year, Spring Semester
    Number Course Name Credits
    ENGL 1020 English Composition II 3
    PSY 201 Social Psychology 3
    SPE 211 Fundamentals of Speech 3
    Natural Science Course 4
    Social Behavioral Science Course 3
    Total Credits 16
    2nd Year, Fall Semester
    Number Course Name Credits
    HIST History Course 3
    MATH Mathematics Course 3
    PHED 1020 Self Defense I 1
    SOC 202 Social Problems 3
    Humanities Course 3
    CIS 170 or

    PSY 102

    Micro Systems I or General Psychology II 3
    Total Credits 16
    2nd Year, Spring Semester
    Number Course Name Credits
    HIST History Course 3
    CIS 251 or EMT 150 & PHED 1120 & SLR 2999 Digital Forensics or Independent Study, Self Defense II, and Service Learning 3
    Humanities Course 3
    Literature Course 3
    Total Credits 12