Criminal Justice: Transfer Associate

The Criminal Justice AA degree is designed for students intending to pursue careers in law enforcement, correctional rehabilitation, juvenile and adult probation and parole, private security and investigations, forensic science, military police, and criminology.  This program may require the student to submit to Act 33 Child Abuse and/or Act 34 Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Checks prior to enrollment.  Since the requirements of senior institutions vary widely, it is essential to choose an intended transfer institution as soon as possible and carefully follow the program described in that college’s catalog.  The complete program is available at the Harrisburg campus.  The program may also be completed at the Gettysburg Campus by taking some online courses. Only the General option can be fully completed at the Lancaster Campus. Some of the required courses and option(s) are also available at the Lancaster, Lebanon, and York campuses.

Career opportunities are dependent upon the curriculum option chosen.  Many graduates are engaged in careers as criminal investigators, patrol officers, drug agents, prosecuting attorneys, private criminal and civil attorneys, probation and parole officers, correctional counselors, security managers, private investigators, undercover investigators, crime-scene technicians, forensic scientists, crime-lab experts, and other positions in municipal, state, federal, and private agencies.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 102 English Composition II (or)  3 
  ENGL 104 Technical Writing (or)  (3) 
  ENGL 106 Business Writing  (3) 
COMM 101 Effective Speaking  3 
Core A Elective  3 
Core B Elective  3 
Core B Elective  3 
Core C Elective Math  3 
Core C Elective Science  3 
Core C Elective  3 
General Education Transfer Elective  3 
Physical Education & Wellness  1 

Major Requirements     
CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice  3   
CJ 108 Criminology  3   
CJ 212 Criminal Law and Procedure  3   
CJ 240 Ethics and Diverse Cultures (D)  3   
Law Enforcement or General Transfer Options  18   

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Demonstrate an awareness of professional ethics including ethical and legal entrance requirements to the criminal justice

Translate observations into writing

Use technology as a form, or method, to conduct research

Describe components of the criminal justice system including corrections, courts, law enforcement, and the private sector

Examine diversity issues as they impact criminal justice

Demonstrate an awareness of the dynamics of organizational behavior

Manage and build teams

Analyze problems and develop solutions

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations