Nov 21, 2024  
Yakima Valley College Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Yakima Valley College Catalog 2024-2025

Criminal Justice, AAS


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The Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice is designed for students who intend to enter the job market upon completion of the two-year degree. Courses within the program assist students in developing of occupationally specific abilities with emphasis on interpersonal skills, group dynamics, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The program meets the needs of criminal justice employers by preparing students for the challenges of working in a dynamic profession.

Members of the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee represent many employment positions within the profession including law enforcement, the courts, institutional corrections, community corrections, and private sector employment and local, state, and federal government. Recommendations and information from the Advisory Committee aid in preparing students for employment.

Students may also desire to further their education with additional schooling and have many options to do so. The YVC Criminal Justice Program offers two Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Transfer (AAS-T) degrees.  One degree transfers directly to Heritage University and YVC’s BASM program and the other transfers to Central Washington University.  Should a student wish to earn the Associate of Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree at YVC, Criminal Justice courses should fulfill that degree’s electives.

Many colleges and universities accept YVC’s Criminal Justice courses as part of their degree programs. Students who will be transferring are advised to consult the transfer institution.

Approved Electives 18 Credits


Students choose 18 credits in three (3) different disciplines from the following recommended courses:

Total Credits 96


Core Competency Codes


♦ Computation
• Communication
■ Human Relations

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