Health & Human Services Haywood Community College

The intent of the AAS degree program in Criminal Justice Technology is to provide students with the professional preparation necessary for entry-level positions in criminal justice. The degree program consists of general education requirements and a major in criminal justice technology. In this program students consider the role of the criminal justice system within our society and acquire knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations with a focus on local, state, and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections, and security services. Emphasis is on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics, and community relations. Additional study may include issues and concepts of government, counseling, and communications.

Students who decide to continue their education with a BS in Criminal Justice as their goal can do so by completing an additional set of bridge courses at HCC, usually about 27 semester hours beyond the requirements for the AAS degree, and then transferring to Western Carolina University for their final year. This final year of study consisting of 32 semester hours is via the internet, traditional courses, or a combination of the two.

Students must meet the admission requirements of WCU and be accepted by the University for entry into their BS in criminal justice degree program. For specific information about this opportunity contact the criminal justice adviser.

As data entry is commonly required of criminal justice professionals, mastery of keyboarding skills is a prerequisite to the program. Therefore, unless a student can demonstrate mastery of such skills by examination, successful completion of a course in keyboarding is necessary.

Upon entering the Criminal Justice degree program, a student is assigned a criminal justice adviser who will be available for program advisement and career information. A student's advisor helps one create a workable degree plan to meet his or her educational objectives within a reasonable time period.

We strongly advise students planning to transfer to a UNC institution to complete the 44-semester hour General Education Core Requirement, pursuant to the UNC-NCCCS master articulation agreement before they transfer.