2018-2019 Catalog

Criminal Justice (A.S.)

Associate in Science

Program Advisor: Reena Bucknell

413-236-4551 • rbucknell@berkshirecc.edu

The Criminal Justice program offers career preparation at the local, state or federal level in areas of law enforcement, corrections, private security, and other criminal justice work. Courses also provide upgrading of skills for those currently in the field. A student planning to transfer to a baccalaureate program should work closely with the Criminal Justice program advisor to select courses that will be acceptable to the college and program to which the student plans to transfer. These majors include but are not limited to criminal justice, sociology, paralegal, political science, criminology and public administration.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

  • Use effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards in the criminal justice system and apply these standards to practical situations;
  • Describe the functions and interrelationships of the major components of the criminal justice system;
  • Explain and illustrate the diversity of viewpoints and experiences within society;
  • Analyze how perceptions are affected by culture; and
  • Identify a social problem, develop a problem-solving approach, and evaluate effective and appropriate responses.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.

Program Courses

CRJ-105Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CRJ-108Substance Abuse Education

3

CRJ-109Police and Community Relations

3

CRJ-121Criminal Law

3

CRJ-123Criminal Procedures

3

CRJ-125Juvenile Justice Process

3

CRJ-126Criminal Investigation

3

CRJ-127Correctional Process

3

-
 

CRJ-200Introduction to Criminology

3

-
Or

SOC-219Women and the Law

3

-
 

PSY-107Introductory Psychology

3

SOC-105Introductory Sociology

3

-
Professional Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:36

Professional Elective: See footnote 3

General Education Courses

COM-
Communication

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

6

MAT-
Mathematics

3

-
History or Government

3

-
Humanities & Fine Arts

6

-
 

-
Natural or Physical Science

3

-
Or

-
Environmental Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:24

MAT Mathematics: See footnote 1

History or Government: See footnote 2

Additional Requirements

Core Competencies Portfolio 4 items
FORUM 4 units
Health/Fitness 4 30 hours

Minimum Cumulative Average

Overall 2.000
Program requirements 2.000

Health/Fitness: See footnote 4

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.

First Semester

CRJ-105Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CRJ-108Substance Abuse Education

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

3

MAT-
Mathematics

3

SOC-105Introductory Sociology

3

Total Credit Hours:15

MAT Mathematics: See footnote 1

Second Semester

CRJ-121Criminal Law

3

CRJ-127Correctional Process

3

COM-
Communication

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

3

PSY-107Introductory Psychology

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester

CRJ-109Police and Community Relations

3

CRJ-123Criminal Procedures

3

-
History or Government

3

-
Humanities & Fine Arts

3

-
 

-
Natural or Physical Science

3

-
Or

-
Environmental Studies

3

Total Credit Hours:15

History or Government: See footnote 2

Fourth Semester

CRJ-125Juvenile Justice Process

3

CRJ-126Criminal Investigation

3

-
 

CRJ-200Introduction to Criminology

3

-
Or

SOC-219Women and the Law

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Footnotes

  1. MAT-101, or any course with the “MA” General Education designation; students wishing to transfer should take MAT-102 or higher.
  2. History or Government chosen from GOV-105, GOV-135, HIS-113, HIS-114, HIS-117, HIS-118, HIS-121, HIS-122, or HIS-225.
  3. Professional Elective chosen from CIS-102, HSV-135, SOC-208, SOC-216, SOC-219, SPA-101, SPA-131, or others with program advisor approval.
  4. Health/Fitness requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of CRJ-108.

Note

All students in the Criminal Justice Program are encouraged to take BCC-101 early on in their studies at BCC.