Program Details

Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major

Associate of Science

Laurel Ridge Community College

The Criminal Justice Major is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, or related fields through required courses in terrorism, criminal law, juvenile justice, ethics, and other general education courses. Occupational titles of administration of justice professionals may include, depending on educational attainment and experience, Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Dispatcher, Crime Scene Technician, Investigator, Corrections Officer, Probation/Parole Officer, and Deputy Court Clerk.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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In-Person

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Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Transfer Degree

Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	The criminal justice major is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four year college to earn a degree in criminal justice or ADJ.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Since transfer colleges and universities have different requirements, students should work with an adviser to determine which ADJ electives to take. Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Laurel Ridge Community College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree	Allows students the flexibility of moving into transfer programs in criminology, criminal justice, legal studies, sociology and other fields. Some graduates satisfy their goals by completing the two-year general academic studies.
Program Successes & Highlights

Related Programs & Certifications

Credential That Prepares You For This Program

Credential

Certificate in Criminal Justice

Link

Credential That Prepares You For This Program

Credential

Uniform Certificate of General Studies

Link

Credential That Prepares You For This Program

Credential

Passport

Link

Program Credit Requirements

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What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	Students transferring to Laurel Ridge with an Associate Degree or higher already completed will be able to transfer in applicable credits to their degree and will have SDV 100 waived.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	Laurel Ridge does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning	https://laurelridge.edu/credit-for-prior-learning/
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Laurel Ridge Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

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Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

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Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

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College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market. We offer many courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. Our student life team offers many ways for students to get involved including clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	The catalog year in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into their curriculum at Laurel Ridge.
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog placement is tied to semester start selected in the application.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://laurelridge.edu/transfer/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Cybersecurity, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Information Technology, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Science in Science Degree with an Elementary Education (PreK-6) Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate in Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Criminal Justice: Homeland Security Specialization, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Blue Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Central Virginia Community College	AAS in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
New River Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Criminal Justice, A.A.S	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Germanna Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Danville Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies with a Specialization in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community College	Associate of Science in Engineering-Computer Sciences Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Sciences in Computer Science	Associate	Associate of Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Education	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Human Services	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Agribusiness	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Health Science	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Science	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Business Administration Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online, Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Engineering	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration - Outdoor Leadership	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Science - Pre-Medical	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Science-Agribusiness	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science in Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science in Science Degree Veterinary Preparation Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science Degree Communications Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science in Science Degree Engineering Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies with a Specialization in Human Services	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies with a Specialization in Substance Abuse	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Specialization in Community & Provider Services	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Specialization Developmental Disabilities	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies with Spec in Communications & Media Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies Specialization in Health Sciences	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Computer Information Systems Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science with a Specialization in Engineering	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science: Computer Science Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science with a Specialization in Mathematics	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science with a Specialization in Veterinary Preparation	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
25-1111.00	Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
33-1012.00	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.	Protective Service Occupations
19-4099.00	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099.01	Quality Control Analysts	Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099.03	Remote Sensing Technicians	Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9199.11	Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers	Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.	Management Occupations
11-9199.02	Compliance Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.	Management Occupations
11-9199.08	Loss Prevention Managers	Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.00	Managers, All Other	All managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
11-9199.01	Regulatory Affairs Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.10	Wind Energy Development Managers	Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.	Management Occupations
11-9199.09	Wind Energy Operations Managers	Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.	Management Occupations
25-1199.00	Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
33-1011.00	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3011.00	Bailiffs	Maintain order in courts of law.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3051.04	Customs and Border Protection Officers	Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3021.00	Detectives and Criminal Investigators	Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3021.06	Intelligence Analysts	Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3021.02	Police Identification and Records Officers	Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.	Protective Service Occupations
33-3051.00	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.	Protective Service Occupations
33-9021.00	Private Detectives and Investigators	Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.	Protective Service Occupations
19-3039.03	Clinical Neuropsychologists	Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3039.02	Neuropsychologists	Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3039.00	Psychologists, All Other	All psychologists not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3041.00	Sociologists	Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 60 credits remaining to be completed

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Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major at Laurel Ridge Community College These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$168	Per Credit	$10,080	$0	$10,080
Fees
Student Activity Fee	$3	Per Credit	$180	0	$180
Auxiliary Fee	$4	Per Credit	$240	0	$240

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Tuition & Fee Notes:

Additional Fees
- Some courses include materials fees in the cost of tuition or use free materials, and other courses require students to purchase texbooks or other materials. Laurel Ridge does not charge fees for parking or graduation. Tuition and fees are the same regardless of whether students attend online or in person. Tuition and Fees are subject to change.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.

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