Administration of Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization (AAS)

Additional financial assistance might be available for G3 programs. Please contact your advisor or counselor for more information.

Program Info

Minimum credits: 61
Length: 2 years (4 semesters), if suggested full-time course sequence is followed.

Division: Arts, Sciences, & Business
Contact: 434.797.8402 or 434.797.8462
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Plan Code: 400-01 CIP Code: 43.0103

Administration of Justice (ADJ) programs are designed to prepare individuals for careers in public safety. The A.A.S. degree does not substitute for attendance at a basic police academy required by Virginia’s local and state law enforcement agencies. Students who plan to transfer DCC courses into a four-year program in criminal justice/administration of justice are strongly urged to consult with their faculty advisor and the counseling office for course selection. Transferability of ADJ coursework to four-year colleges or universities is contingent on the academic credit transfer policies of those institutions.

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization is designed to prepare individuals for careers in public safety. This program does not substitute for attendance at a basic police academy required by Virginia’s local and state law enforcement agencies.

Admission Requirements: In addition to general college admission requirements, requirements for employment at criminal justice agencies may include: Excellent physical and mental health; Normal hearing and color vision. Eye functions must be normal (visual acuity must not be less than 20/40 in either eye without correction); Weight should be in proportion to height; Excellent moral character; No conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude or conviction of any felony; An excessive number of traffic citations would be cause to exclude an applicant from consideration by most agencies; U.S. citizenship. NOTE: An extensive background investigation will be conducted by criminal justice agencies before hiring. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude or violence should consult with the faculty advisor.

Program Outcomes: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the following:

• Various sources of crime data (e.g. FBI-based Uniform Crime Reporting system) and analytical skills necessary to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of crime data reporting;
• Assessment skills applied to community-police programs and evaluative measures to be applied to the merits of police-sponsored community crime prevention efforts;
• Functions of the different components of the criminal justice system-police, judiciary, corrections and protective services;
• The role diversity plays in decision-making at all levels of the criminal justice system;
• The global nature of crime, to include the impact of crime and the prosecution of criminal offenders operating in the U.S. and internationally to further a terrorist goal, commit cybercrime, or reap profits associated with criminal enterprises;
• Stress reduction techniques, including a consistent physical fitness conditioning program;
• The importance of volunteering one’s talents for the overall improvement of one’s community;
• The need for uncompromising ethical and moral standards;
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent information literacy skills.

Instructional delivery: All courses may be taken online although some may also be offered face-to-face.

College Credit for Academy Training: After an ADJ student completes 35 or more required credits, 21 and 15 credits respectively will be awarded as follows:

Virginia State Police Academy: 3 credits - ADJ 100 - Survey of Criminal Justice , 3 credits - ADJ 130 - Introduction to Criminal Law , 3 credits - ADJ 236 - Principles of Criminal Investigation , 9 credits - ADJ coursework*, 3 credits - Wellness Elective Total: 21 credits

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Regional Academies: 3 credits - ADJ 100 - Survey of Criminal Justice 
3 credits - ADJ 130 - Introduction to Criminal Law , 3 credits - ADJ 236 - Principles of Criminal Investigation , 3 credits - ADJ coursework* 3 credits - Wellness Elective, Total: 15 credits *e.g. ADJ 227 - Constitutional Law for Justice Personnel  or ADJ 215 - Report Writing .