Criminal Justice - Associate in Criminal Justice
NMSU Alamogordo 2024-2025 Catalog
Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice at NMSU should see an Academic Advisor regarding the best choices for electives.
A grade of C- or better is required in all Criminal Justice courses and second language courses.
Total Credits Required for Degree: 60
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Courses specified in the General Education areas below are Program required courses that will also fulfill General Education requirements. | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1220G | College Algebra 2 | 3 |
| or MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Science and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10-11 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
Select one course from Area III: Laboratory Science (4 credits) 1 | ||
Select one course from either Area III or Area IV (3-4 credits) 1 | ||
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Philosophy, Law, and Ethics | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative/Fine Arts | ||
| Select one course from Area VI: Creative/Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| Select one course from any General Education area 1 | 3-4 | |
| Program Requirements | ||
| CJUS 1120 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJUS 2150 | Corrections System | 3 |
| CJUS 2120 | Criminal Courts and Procedure | 3 |
| CJUS 2220 | The American Law Enforcement System | 3 |
| Second Language Requirements for Associate Degree 3 | 6-8 | |
| Electives to bring total credits to 60 4, 5, 6 | 3-7 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
See the General Education Section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 2
MATH 1220G College Algebra or MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1220G or MATH 1350G first.
- 3
Completion of a second language through the 1110-1120 level. See an advisor for specifics. More information is available in the Las Cruces catalog in the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree section.
- 4
Recommended electives are:
- CJUS 2140 Criminal Investigations
- CJUS 2160 Field Experience in Criminal Justice
- PSYC 2221 Applied Psychology
- POLS 1120G American National Government
- ENGL 2210G Professional and Technical Communication Honors
- ENGL 2221G Writing in the Humanities and Social Science (Choose English class not previously taken).
- 5
- A maximum of 3-5 credit hours of applied coursework may be counted toward C J degree. PL S (Paralegal Studies) courses can never replace or substitute for a Criminal Justice (C J) course but may be used as electives within the 3-5 credits applied course limit. Please contact an advisor to determine which courses are considered applied coursework.
- 6
Elective credit may vary based on General Education course selection, second language requirements, prerequisites, dual credit, A credit, double majors and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 60 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
NMSU Alamogordo 2024-2025 Catalog
A Suggested Plan of Study - Criminal Justice
Additional classes may be needed based on placement test results and course prerequisites. Visit with an advisor for help with creating a customized plan.
A grade of C- or better is required in all Criminal Justice courses and second language courses.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CJUS 1110G | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| COMM 1130G or COMM 1115G | Public Speaking or Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| Elective 3,4,5 | 1-3 | |
| MATH 1220G or MATH 1350G | College Algebra 1 or Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CJUS 2220 | The American Law Enforcement System | 3 |
| ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2221G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | ||
| Philosophy, Law, and Ethics | ||
| Philosophical Thought | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 2 | 4 | |
| General Education Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CJUS 1120 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Elective 3, 4, 5 | 3 | |
| Second Language (1st of 2 consecutive levels) 6 | 4 | |
| Area III: Laboratory Science or Area IV: Social/Behavioral Science Course 2 | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CJUS 2120 | Criminal Courts and Procedure | 3 |
| CJUS 2150 | Corrections System | 3 |
| Second Language (2nd of 2 consecutive levels) 6 | 4 | |
| Area VI: Creative/Fine Arts Course 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 3,4 , 5 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
MATH 1220G College Algebra or MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1220G or MATH 1350G first.
- 2
See the General Education Section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
Recommended electives are:
- CJUS 2140 Criminal Investigations
- CJUS 2160 Field Experience in Criminal Justice
- PSYC 2221 Applied Psychology
- POLS 1120G American National Government
- ENGL 2210G Professional & Technical Communication
- ENGL 2221G Writing in the Humanities and Social Science (Choose English class not previously taken).
- 4
A maximum of 3-5 credit hours of applied coursework may be counted toward C J degree. PL S (Paralegal Studies) courses can never replace or substitute for a Criminal Justice (C J) course but may be used as electives within the 3-5 credits applied course limit. Please contact an advisor to determine which courses are considered applied coursework.
- 5
Elective credit may vary based on General Education course selection, second language requirements, prerequisites, dual credit, A credit, double majors and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 60 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
- 6
Completion of a second language through the 1110-1120 level. See an advisor for specifics. More information is available in the Las Cruces catalog in the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree section.