CriminalJustice
Transfer-ready or career-ready — earn your AA in Criminal Justice in as little as two years, or gain POST certification at the Valley Campus Law Enforcement Academy.
About the Program
What you’ll learn
Foundational knowledge & skills
The Criminal Justice program provides a strong foundation in law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, and criminology. Students can complete the AA degree in as little as two years and are prepared to succeed in a competitive and ever-changing job market.
At the Valley Campus, students can also participate in the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA), earning a POST certificate that qualifies them for entry into law enforcement careers.
Why Trinidad State?
TSC offers field experiences and hands-on learning not found at many other institutions. Our faculty are experienced professionals dedicated to student success, giving you real-world context in every course.
Transfer agreements
The designed transfer degree articulates with Colorado universities. A list of participating schools can be found under “Transfer Degrees” at the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Program Resources
Law Enforcement Academy
Quick Links
What We Offer
Whether you’re heading to a four-year university or ready to enter the workforce, the Criminal Justice program meets you where you are.
AA in Criminal Justice — Transfer Degree
Complete your freshman and sophomore coursework at TSC and transfer into a Bachelor of Arts (BA) program at a four-year university. The designed transfer AA articulates with Colorado universities through the CDHE transfer degree agreement.
Program Cost
Where You Can Study
The main Trinidad campus offers the full AA in Criminal Justice transfer degree in a close-knit academic setting at 600 Prospect Street. The Valley Campus offers the AA degree and is also home to the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA), where students can earn a POST certificate.
Criminal Justice Transfer Major - Associate of Arts
Click any semester to see the full course list.
Semester One
Foundational coursework in English composition, sociology, and math, paired with an introduction to criminal justice and policing systems.
Scheduling note: CRJ 1010 and CRJ 1025 have campus and semester restrictions. Check the current Class Schedule or contact your advisor to confirm availability before registering.
- ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1 (3 credits)
- *MATH – Please review Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement for correct Math course for student's selected pathway (3 credits)
- SOC 1001 – Introduction to Sociology I: GT-SS1 (3 credits)
- CRJ 1010 – Introduction to Criminal Justice: GT-SS3 (3 credits)
- CRJ 1025 – Policing Systems (3 credits)
Semester Two
English Composition II and correctional process, rounded out by a communication elective, a lab-based science, and a history elective.
Scheduling note: CRJ 1045 has campus and semester restrictions. Check the current Class Schedule or contact your advisor to confirm availability before registering.
- ENG 1022 – English Composition II: GT-CO1 (3 credits)
- CRJ 1045 – Correctional Process (3 credits)
Choose one: (3 credits)
- COM 1150 – Public Speaking
- COM 1250 – Interpersonal Communication: GT-SS3
Choose one: (4 credits — science course must include one laboratory) (SC1)
- AGY 2140 – Introductory Soil Science: GT-SC1
- AST 1110 – Planetary Astronomy wit Lab: GT- SC1
- BIO 1005 – Science of Biology with Lab: GT-SC1
- CHE 1011 – Intro to Chemistry I with Lab: GT-SC1
- BIO 1111 – General College Biology with Lab: GT-SC1
- BIO 2104 – Microbiology w/lab: GT-SC1
Choose one: (3 credits) (HI1)
- HIS 1310 – Western Civilization:Antiquity-1650: GT-HI1
- HIS 1320 – Western Civilization: 1650-Present: GT-HI1
- HIS 1110 – The World: Antiquity-1500: GT-HI1
- HIS 1120 – The World: 1500-Present: GT-HI1
- HIS 1210 – US History to Reconstruction: GT- HI1
- HIS 1220 – US History since the Civil War:GT-HI1
Semester Three
A lab-based science, an arts and humanities elective, and a criminal justice elective, rounded out by two social or behavioral science electives in areas such as forensic anthropology, psychology, or sociology.
Scheduling note: Some classes (including all of the CRJ Elective courses) have campus and semester restrictions. Check the current Class Schedule or contact your advisor to confirm availability before registering.
Choose one: (3-4 credits — one science course must include a laboratory) (SC1, SC2)
- ENV 1111 – Environmental Science: GT-SC1
- AST 1110 – Planetary Astronomy wit Lab: GT- SC1
- BIO 1005 – Science of Biology with Lab: GT-SC1
- CHE 1011 – Intro to Chemistry I with Lab: GT-SC1
- BIO 112 – Genceral College Biology w/lab: GT SC1
- BIO 1004 – Biology: A Human Approach: GT-SC1
- SCI 1105 – Science in Society: GT-SC2
Choose one: (3 credits) (AH1, AH2 Courses from two different categories)
- ART 1110 – Art Appreciation: GT-AH1
- HUM 1021 – Humanities: Early Civilization: GT-AH2
- LIT 1015 – Introduction to Literature I: GT-AH2
- MUS 1020 – Music Appreciation: GT-AH1
- THE 1005 – Theater Appreciation: GT-AH1
- THE 1008 – Script Anaylsis: GT-AH1
- ART 1111 – Art Hist Ancient/Med: GT-AH1
Choose one: (3 credits) (CRJ Elective)
- CRJ 1027 – Crime Scene Investigation
- CRJ 2005 – Principals of Criminal Law
- CRJ 2035 – Delinquent Behavior
- CRJ 1035 – Judicial Function
- CRJ 2030 – Criminology
- CRJ 2057 – Victimology
Choose one: (3 credits) (Specific Elective)
- ANT 2315 – Intro to Forensic Anthro w/lab: GT-SC1
- PSC1011 – American Government: GT-SS1
- PSC 1025 – American/State & Local Govt: GTSS1
- PSY 2221 – Social Psychology: GT-SS3
- PSY 2552 – Abnormal Psychology: GT-SS3
- SOC 2031 – Sociology of Deviant Behavior: GT-SS3
Choose one: (3 credits) (Specific Elective)
- ANT 2315 – Intro to Forensic Anthro w/lab: GT-SC1
- PSC1011 – American Government: GT-SS1
- PSC 1025 – American/State & Local Govt: GTSS1
- PSY 2221 – Social Psychology: GT-SS3
- PSY 2552 – Abnormal Psychology: GT-SS3
- SOC 2031 – Sociology of Deviant Behavior: GT-SS3
Semester Four
A social science elective, a philosophy or language arts elective, and a criminal justice elective, rounded out by two additional social or behavioral science electives in government, psychology, or sociology.
Scheduling note: Some classes (including all of the CRJ Elective courses) have campus and semester restrictions. Check the current Class Schedule or contact your advisor to confirm availability before registering.
Choose one: (3 credits) (SS3)
- COM 1250 – Interpersonal Communication: GT-SS3
- PSY 1001 – General Psychology I: GT-SS3
- PSY 2440 – Human Growth & Dev: GT-SS3
- SOC 2005 – Sociology Of Family Dynamics: GT-SS3
Choose one: (3 credits) ( AH3, AH4 courses from two different categories)
- PHI 1013 – Logic: GT-AH3
- PHI 2005 – Business Ethics: GT-AH3
- PHI 1011 – Intro to Philosophy: GT-AH3
- PHI 1012 – Ethics: GT-AH3
- SPA 2011 – Spanish Language III: GT-AH4
- SPA 2012 – Spanish Language IV: GT-AH4
Choose one: (3 credits) (CRJ Elective)
- CRJ 1027 – Crime Scene Investigation
- CRJ 2005 – Principals of Criminal Law
- CRJ 2035 – Delinquent Behavior
- CRJ 1035 – Judicial Function
- CRJ 2030 – Criminology
- CRJ 2057 – Victimology
Choose one: (3 credits) (Specific Elective)
- ANT 2315 – Intro to Forensic Anthro w/lab: GT-SC1
- PSC1011 – American Government: GT-SS1
- PSC 1025 – American/State & Local Govt: GTSS1
- PSY 2221 – Social Psychology: GT-SS3
- PSY 2552 – Abnormal Psychology: GT-SS3
- SOC 2031 – Sociology of Deviant Behavior: GT-SS3
Choose one: (3 credits) (Specific Elective)
- ANT 2315 – Intro to Forensic Anthro w/lab: GT-SC1
- PSC1011 – American Government: GT-SS1
- PSC 1025 – American/State & Local Govt: GTSS1
- PSY 2221 – Social Psychology: GT-SS3
- PSY 2552 – Abnormal Psychology: GT-SS3
- SOC 2031 – Sociology of Deviant Behavior: GT-SS3
Where You'll Go
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Get in Touch
Contact the program
Have questions about Criminal Justice at TSC? Reach out to the Division Chair.
