Pre-Criminal Justice

  What is Pre-Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is an area of public service that employs those in law enforcement, the courts and corrections at all levels of government and in both juvenile and adult venues. It is a professional field, interdisciplinary in nature, stressing the major components of the criminal justice system in America.

  Success Factors

Students who succeed in the pre-criminal justice program are people who enjoy functioning as part of a team in a system charged with keeping the public safe and maintaining societal order, assisting in the administration of justice and treating offenders. They are people who demonstrate the willingness to work well with the general public, exhibit excellent communication skills, work well under various levels of supervision and have an appreciation for cultural diversity.

  Career Possibilities

Students studying criminal justice usually enter careers in policing, courts, corrections, criminal justice planning and administration, crime prevention, research and other related fields.

  Majoring in Pre-Criminal Justice

Pre-criminal justice is an associate of arts degree program sponsored by the Behavioral Sciences Department at Raymond Walters College, with an emphasis on preparing students for careers in federal, state and local criminal justice agencies and departments. The two-year, pre-criminal justice program provides students with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for a career concerned with upholding the law and supporting justice. Students will acquire the knowledge and application of the development of law, the U.S. Constitution and the importance of practices and procedures that support such concepts in the United States today.

The program includes a liberal arts foundation, several basic criminal justice courses, and many technical courses such as criminal investigation and conflict resolution. The curriculum is based on the philosophy that knowledge of the basics, complemented by theory and application, are essential components of a successful practitioner’s education. In addition, the program provides an opportunity for career exposure via field placement and/or service learning experiences.  These courses can provide the student with real-world experiences in criminal justice agencies, departments and institutions of interest to them.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Obtaining the associate of arts degree in pre-criminal justice from UC | Blue Ash, Raymond Walters College allows a student to study the subject in a friendly, teaching-oriented atmosphere with small class sizes and individual attention. In addition, students interested in attaining a bachelor's degree in criminal justice can complete most of their course work at the Blue Ash campus.

  Admission Requirements

This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED (minimum composite score of 45) and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study, including meeting the UC | Blue Ash, Raymond Walters College’s residency requirements and graduating with a cumulative GPA of 2.0. 

High school students who are considering Raymond Walters College should take either the SAT or ACT college entrance examination for use in guidance and counseling. All students entering a degree program must also take the college’s placement test prior to registering for classes. This test is given on the Raymond Walters College campus.

The UC | Blue Ash, Raymond Walters College Admissions Office provides an application for admission and all the information you’ll need to enroll in the college.

  Transferring to UC Requirements

Students transferring to Raymond Walters College follow similar procedures as those who are enrolling through open admissions. Please contact the UC | Blue Ash, Raymond Walters College Admissions Office for all the information you’ll need to enroll in the college.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States of America must take an ability-to-benefit test and achieve the minimum specified score to be eligible for admission to a degree or certificate program at Raymond Walters College. The scores will be used for placement in English courses and general advising for all courses.

  Graduation Requirements

Students seeking to graduate with the associate degree in pre-criminal justice from UC | Blue Ash, Raymond Walters College must meet college residency requirements (i.e. earning > 50 percent of credit hours from Raymond Walters College) and achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

  Application Deadlines

The college’s rolling admissions policy allows you to start any quarter: fall, winter, spring or summer. However, you are advised to apply for admission at least two weeks prior to the start of any given quarter.

  Accreditation