Administration of Justice Studies

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Administration of Justice Studies provides in-depth preparation for students desiring to be practitioners or pursue continued education and advancement in several fields including local and federal law enforcement, the courts, corrections, security, and investigations. The program also provides criminal justice practitioners with the opportunity to complete the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Administration of Justice as well as one of five Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in Corrections, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, and Victimology. A transfer pathway in Criminal Justice is also available (Associate Arts (AA), Emphasis in Criminal Justice) as well as an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensics and related Certificates of Completion. Additionally, a transfer pathway is also available for the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Public Safety Administration.

Details

Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Administration of Justice Studies (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3181
Total credits required
61-65
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

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

What You'll Learn
  • Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments.
  • Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning.
  • Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
  • Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
  • Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals.
  • Apply the principles and processes of criminal and constitutional law, criminology theory, knowledge of the functions and components of the criminal justice system, and current issues to criminal justice operations.
  • Utilize technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
  • Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
  • Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice.

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
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$88,140
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$98,610
Intelligence Analysts
$88,140
Judicial Law Clerks
$63,860
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$68,060
Police Identification and Records Officers
$88,140
Public Safety Telecommunicators
$46,880
Security Guards
$33,600
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.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

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

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
AJS123 Ethics and the Administration of Justice Critical course HU 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 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
AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law 3
AJS240 The Correction Function 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematics area MA 3–6
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM225 recommended for transfer. 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
AJS230 The Police Function 3
AJS225 Criminology SB 3
AJS200 or
AJS/EMT/FSC258		 Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Victimology and Crisis Management in Public Safety SB or C, SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative FOR105 OR FOR106 Recommended SG or SQ 4
RE Restricted Elective See below 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS212 Juvenile Justice Procedures 3
AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 3–4
Elective Elective 0–3
Elective Elective 0–3

Restricted Electives

Complete twelve to thirteen (12-13) credits from the course options below. Some of these options fulfill requirements for one or more related certificates of completion (CCLs). Consult with an AJS faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS113 Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices 3
AJS119 Computer Applications in Justice Studies 3
AJS/FSC139 Emergency Response to Terrorism Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS/FSC147 Emergency Preparedness Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS/FSC148 Fundamentals of Emergency Management Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS/FSC149 Hazard Mitigation Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS162 Domestic Violence Fulfills the requirements for the Victimology certificate (5392N) 3
AJS195 International And Domestic Terrorism Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS201 Rules of Evidence Fulfills the requirements for the Legal Studies certificate (5966N) 3
AJS205 Effective Communication and Report Writing in Criminal Justice Fulfills the requirements for the Corrections certificate (5776N), the Law Enforcement certificate (5987N), and the Legal Studies certificate (5966N) 3
AJS210 Constitutional Law Fulfills the requirements for the Legal Studies certificate (5966N) 3
AJS255 Mental Health Conditions and the Criminal Justice System Fulfills the requirements for the Corrections certificate (5776N) and the Victimology certificate (5392N) 3
AJS270 Community Relations SB 3
AJS275 Criminal Investigation I Fulfills the requirements for the Corrections certificate (5776N) and the Law Enforcement certificate (5987N) 3
AJS290BN Courtroom Testimony Seminar Fulfills the requirements for the Crime Scene Investigation (5964) and Fingerprint Identification and Photography (5010N) 1
AJS+++ Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course not listed under Required Courses area 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

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
AJS123 Ethics and the Administration of Justice Critical course HU 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Any higher approved general education course in the Mathematics area MA 3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law 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

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS240 The Correction Function 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
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 COM225 recommended for transfer. SB or SB or L or SB 3
AJS230 The Police Function 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS225 Criminology SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative FOR105 OR FOR106 Recommended SG or SQ 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS200 or
AJS/EMT/FSC258		 Current Issues In Criminal Justice or Victimology and Crisis Management in Public Safety SB or C, SB 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS212 Juvenile Justice Procedures 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law 3
RE Restricted Elective See below 3–4

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective Elective 0–3
Elective Elective 0–3

Restricted Electives

Complete twelve to thirteen (12-13) credits from the course options below. Some of these options fulfill requirements for one or more related certificates of completion (CCLs). Consult with an AJS faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AJS113 Criminal Justice Crime Control Policies and Practices 3
AJS119 Computer Applications in Justice Studies 3
AJS/FSC139 Emergency Response to Terrorism Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS/FSC147 Emergency Preparedness Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS/FSC148 Fundamentals of Emergency Management Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS/FSC149 Hazard Mitigation Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS162 Domestic Violence Fulfills the requirements for the Victimology certificate (5392N) 3
AJS195 International And Domestic Terrorism Fulfills the requirements for the Homeland Security (5322N) 3
AJS201 Rules of Evidence Fulfills the requirements for the Legal Studies certificate (5966N) 3
AJS205 Effective Communication and Report Writing in Criminal Justice Fulfills the requirements for the Corrections certificate (5776N), the Law Enforcement certificate (5987N), and the Legal Studies certificate (5966N) 3
AJS210 Constitutional Law Fulfills the requirements for the Legal Studies certificate (5966N) 3
AJS255 Mental Health Conditions and the Criminal Justice System Fulfills the requirements for the Corrections certificate (5776N) and the Victimology certificate (5392N) 3
AJS270 Community Relations SB 3
AJS275 Criminal Investigation I Fulfills the requirements for the Corrections certificate (5776N) and the Law Enforcement certificate (5987N) 3
AJS290BN Courtroom Testimony Seminar Fulfills the requirements for the Crime Scene Investigation (5964) and Fingerprint Identification and Photography (5010N) 1
AJS+++ Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course not listed under Required Courses area 3
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.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • 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 for all courses required 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/freeForm13?id=179873).

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 Applied Science (AAS) in Administration of Justice Studies