Criminal Justice (Associate of Science, A.S.)

This is a draft edition of the 2026-2027 catalog. Information contained within is subject to change.

The Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice is an option for any student interested in working in the criminal justice system and is searching for a degree that can be obtained in two years. Students who earn an associate degree can use their courses toward a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Students who choose this associate degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.

General Studies15-19
Students must complete General Studies courses
Major Requirements45
CRJ 100Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 110Introduction to Juvenile Justice3
CRJ 130Introduction to Policing3
CRJ 190Criminal Investigation3
CRJ 200Introduction to Corrections3
CRJ 260Criminal Law3
LAT 101Introduction to Law3
ENG 108College Writing and Research3
PSC 101American National Government3
PSY 101General Psychology3
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology3
Plus 12 credits from the following:12
Any other CRJ, LAT, POL, PSC, PSY, SOC or SWK class not already used

Program Graduation Requirements

  1. No more than 2 courses with a grade of D permitted in major coursework.
  2. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.

University Graduation Requirements

  1. Earn a minimum of 62 credit hours (100 level and above, maximum of 6 continuing education credit hours applicable).
  2. Earn 20 of the last 30 credit hours at MWSU in institutional course work (exclusive of credit by examination).
  3. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments. 
  4. Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
  5. Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.