Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice program at the Salt Lake Community College offers students two degree options, Associate of Science Degree and Associate of Applied Science Degree, both offer a dynamic and enlightening menu of courses. The criminal justice program prepares students for a career and higher education options included, but not limited to, law enforcement. The criminal justice program also provides education of value to individuals interested in pursuing careers in corrections, security, and selected aspects of the court system. The program also provides the first two years of education for those planning on transferring to a four-year institution with the intention of pursuing careers in areas such as probation and parole, federal law enforcement and forensics or as background for the pursuit of degrees varying from Pre-Law to Sociology.

The programs are well organized to fit the needs of prospective and current students; as well as the criminal justice community. Courses are continuously being updated to reflect current issues found in the criminal justice community and all classes are taught by faculty with both teaching expertise and extensive experience in the criminal justice profession. The courses are convenient and scheduled at the Redwood Road Campus, Larry Miller Campus, South City Campus and the Sandy Center and via Distance Learning technologies.

Currently, the minimum requirement to become a peace officer is a POST certification. The law enforcement community is however, moving in the direction of requiring a minimum of an associate degree in addition to the POST certification.

For further information please contact the Criminal Justice and Institute of Public Safety Advisor (801) 957-3920.

General Questions
What's the difference between the Associate of Science Degree and the Associate of Applied Science Degree?
  • In general, the Associate of Applied Science Degree provides more technical training (criminal justice courses) than the Associate of Science Degree and is designed to prepare individuals to enter the workforce in the criminal justice field immediately upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree. The Associate of Science Degree is designed to transfer to four-year colleges and universities and satisfies the general education requirements for a bachelor's degree at any four-year public institution in Utah. The criminal justice courses in the AS degree transfer as electives to any four-year institution; many of these courses will also apply toward major requirements at institutions offering criminal justice as a major. In Utah, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Utah Valley University, and Columbia College.
Will course work from the Associate of Applied Science Degree transfer?
  • Although the Associate of Applied Science Degree is not designed for transfer students, the courses within it are all transferable electives. The Associate of Applied Science Degree does not contain a sufficient number of general education courses to satisfy general education requirements at Utah's four-year institutions. The criminal justice courses will transfer as electives and, in the case of Weber State University, Southern Utah University, and Utah Valley State College; many of the courses will articulate and apply toward the criminal justice bachelor's degree. Students are required to complete additional general education courses in order to complete a four-year degree.
How do I get into the College and into the POST program?
  • New students intent on pursuing a degree at the College should apply for admission and take the Accuplacer test through one of the Assessment Centers located at the Redwood, Jordan and South City Campuses.
  • Individuals interested in POST training should apply through the Institute for Public Safety located at Salt Lake Community College's Miller Campus, 9750 South 300 West. Students will have to complete the National exam and the application online from POST. Students will also have to complete the College admissions form and take the Accuplacer exam.
What is the difference between POST training program and the criminal justice program?
  • POST training is focused on training for entry-level peace officers. A significant portion of the training is hands-on and covers topics such as firearms, arrest and control techniques, and emergency vehicle operation. The complete program is 32 weeks in length and is credit or non-credit.
  • The Criminal Justice program is broader in its focus and covers additional areas such as corrections and security. It is also more in depth in its treatment of subjects. Although the program has a lot of practical application, it is not hands-on.
  • Students completing POST training can receive 23 elective criminal justice credits and 1 physical education credits toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Students applying for an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice receive the same number of credits. Note that only 15 elective hours are required for the Associate of Science Degree. Student’s intent on transferring to Weber State University should be aware that only 6 of these credits can be counted toward a degree in criminal justice at Weber State University.
Is financial aid available? How do I get financial aid?
  • Matriculated criminal justice students may be eligible for federal financial aid. Eligible students may also receive assistance for the POST training if they are pursuing an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Financial aid applications can be picked up from the Redwood, Jordan and South City Campuses. Salt Lake Community College also offers a payment plan for tuition. Copies of the application for this plan can be obtained from any Cashiering office.
Will my credits from another college or university transfer into the program?
  • Course work from accredited colleges and universities will generally transfer to Salt Lake Community College. Determination of the amount of credit to be transferred and the course equivalents at the College will be evaluated by the admissions office. Prospective students should allow up to six weeks from the receipt of transcripts by the Admissions Office for evaluation.
Can in-service training count for college credit?
  • As noted earlier, completion of POST training provides 24 hours of elective credits toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree or 24 hours of elective credit toward the Associate of Science Degree. If students have additional criminal justice-related training, additional hours of elective credit may be possible and will be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
  • To petition for credit, students should provide evidence of successful completion of training. The Criminal Justice Program Department will review the training and make the final determination.
  • In addition to awarding of credit, specific courses may be waived or challenged; waiver or successful challenge of a course does not, however, lessen the number of credits that must be earned.
  • For further information please call the Criminal Justice Advisor (801) 957-3920.
What courses should I take?
  • The College catalog provides an outline of the course work required for the degree, prerequisites for courses, descriptions of the courses, and the terms in which courses are offered. Once students have been admitted, they can receive assistance in planning their schedule from the Academic Advising Office, or from the Criminal Justice Department.
  • For further information please call the Criminal Justice Advisor (801) 957-3920.
When are the courses being taught?
  • The College publishes its schedule of classes on an ongoing basis. The most current schedule is available at any Salt Lake Community College Campus. The schedule for the College in general and the Criminal Justice program specifically are available over the web.
I'm ready to graduate. I want to make sure I have completed all of my courses. How do I find out?
  • The Academic Advising Office can analyze a student's course work and determine readiness to graduate. In order to apply for graduation, students should complete and submit a graduation application and pay the fee to the Graduation Office. Graduation applications can be picked up from the Redwood Road Campus. Students should check in with the Graduation Office one term prior to the term in which they plan to graduate.
  • For further information please call the Criminal Justice Advisor (801) 957-3920, or the Graduation Office (801) 957-4035.
I've heard that Weber State University offers a criminal justice program at Redwood Road Campus?
  • As part of a state-wide cooperative agreement, Salt Lake Community College has made its campus available to other higher education institutions for delivery of selected course work. Students can complete their bachelors in Criminal Justice from Weber State University at the Taylorsville Campus. Those interested in a four-year degree can begin taking these courses after completing their  Degree at the Salt Lake Community College.
  • For further information please call the Criminal Justice Advisor (801) 957-3920.