Associate of Science Degree
This program is for those who plan to transfer to senior institutions and pursue a B.S. degree in criminal justice or related fields. It is also suitable for immediate employment in criminal justice careers requiring less than the bachelor's degree.
Career Opportunities in the Field
There are nearly two million criminal justice employees in the United States. Starting salaries vary depending upon the amount of education required, but a good average is around $25,000 annually.
With the current concern about crime, it is expected that career opportunities in the field will remain strong both nationally and locally. However, due to the fairly large number of individuals who are attracted to criminal justice careers, hiring for all positions is always competitive. Applicants must take the initiative to set themselves apart from the rest. A Calhoun Community College Criminal Justice degree is a step in that direction.
For more information call or write:
Criminal Justice Program
Calhoun Community College
P.O. Box 2216
Decatur, AL 35609
Ken Anderson
256-306-2756
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Criminal Justice
Calhoun's Criminal Justice Program offers an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice. This is a versatile, comprehensive degree consisting of up to 23 semester hours of criminal justice and related courses, supplemented by 41 hours of general education courses.
The degree can be used in one of two ways. First of all, it is suitable for those wishing to seek immediate employment in the criminal justice field after graduation from Calhoun. State and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the Alabama Department of Corrections, are examples of agencies frequently hiring those with the Associate of Science degree.
 The Associate of Science degree is also designed to transfer to senior colleges and universities for further study toward a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field. The student should consult with the criminal justice advisor at Calhoun for advice regarding transfer. Careers in probation, juvenile justice, and counseling, as well as federal law enforcement, usually require a Bachelor's degree.
Calhoun offers criminal justice courses on the Decatur campus, at Research Park, and at Redstone Arsenal on a variety of convenient schedules. Criminal justice classes are also available through the college's distance education program.
About the Program Everyday, Americans are confronted with endless images of gangs, drugs, armed robbery, domestic violence, and white collar crime. With one out of every four families victimized by crime each year, it is not surprising that two recent surveys found crime to be the number one concern of American citizens. The criminal justice system is the network of agencies and employees whose sole purpose it is to battle America's crime problem. Many are discovering that one of the best weapons in this war is a more educated criminal justice professional. The Criminal Justice Program at Calhoun attempts to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience. Some courses, for instance, may be very theoretical, while others offer opportunities for hands-on application. Before completing their degrees, many students choose to do an internship with one of over 25 participating agencies. This gives the student a glimpse of the criminal justice system in action.
Calhoun also has an active Criminal Justice Club which participates in various service projects and social activities throughout the year. The Criminal Justice Program has one full-time and numerous part-time faculty members with the appropriate academic preparation and practical experience in law enforcement, the courts, corrections and juvenile justice.
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