Criminal Justice (AA)
The Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice aims to prepare students for a career in criminal justice by equipping them with the information necessary to continue studies towards the Bachelor degree. The curriculum includes criminal investigation, penal law, organization and penal system management constitutional law, criminal evidence, delinquent behavior and administration of justice.
The Aguadilla, Arecibo, Barranquitas and Fajardo campuses are authorized to offer this Program. The Barranquitas campus is also authorized to offer this Program through online education.
Program Goals
- Develop professionals focused on the mastery of knowledge framed in the skills required in the Criminal Justice discipline.
- Promote the understanding of the factors that affect the criminal phenomenon.
- Promote research and technology as ways to improve the prevention and intervention practices that are carried out in the Criminal Justice System.
- Develop the knowledge and skills to identify and solve problems and decision-making in the area of Criminal Justice.
- Develop commitment with the ethical-legal dimension of the professions related to the field of Criminal Justice.
Program Objectives
- Demonstrate theoretical, social, psychological and legal knowledge related to the o Criminal Justice System, adjusted to the changes and new trends in the profession.
- Analyze factors that affect the criminal phenomenon from a criminological and legal perspective.
- Use research and the technological advances for the production and construction of knowledge in the areas that make up the field of Criminal Justice.
- Apply the knowledge and skills of the discipline in the identification and solution of problems and decision making related to the area of Criminal Justice.
- Integrate the values and ethical-legal principles related to the field of Criminal Justice to the professional formation.
Competencies Profile of Graduates
This Program is designed to develop the competencies that will enable students to:
Knowledge
- Know the human and civil rights, and their legal and social implications in the context of the Criminal Justice System.
Skills
- Analyze the legal, state and federal, political, psychological, sociological, and economic theories and principles that underpin the profession, as well as the structure and operation of the Criminal Justice System.
- Apply criminological theories and legal principles to the comprehensive study of the factors that incise the criminal phenomenon.
- Integrate the criminological factors that influence criminal behavior.
- Apply scientific methodology and technological resources to the development of criminal or forensic investigation.
- Apply rules, procedures, methods and strategies in the solution.
Attitudes
- Recognize the importance of the ethical-legal values in the field of Criminal Justice.
Graduates of this Program can work as officers of correctional institutions, customs inspectors, private investigators, and as State and Municipal police officers.
Some practice centers may require a certificate of no criminal record.
Graduation Requirements
- Pass, with a minimum grade of C, all courses that are a part of:
- Core Course Requirements
- Major Requirements
Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice
| General Education Requirements |
24 credits |
| Core Course Requirements |
24 credits |
| Major Requirements |
15 credits |
| Total |
63 credits |
General Education Requirements - 24 credits
Core Course Requirements - 24 credits
Major Requirements - 15 credits