Your Pathway to a Criminal Justice Career
Dive into the stimulating world of criminal justice—a field that blends law, sociology, behavioral science, and civic duty to understand crime and its impact on society. The Criminal Justice Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes equips you with a strong foundation in legal principles, investigative techniques, and social justice, preparing you for a wide range of careers in law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, and beyond.
Start by earning your Criminal Justice Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes, positioning yourself for a seamless transfer to Iowa’s Regent Universities, including the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa, and Iowa State University. Our program includes introductory courses in Juvenile Delinquency, Criminal Law, Sociology, and Statistics, ensuring you develop a comprehensive understanding of the field right from the start.
Completing your Criminal Justice Transfer Major degree will fulfill all general education requirements for your chosen transfer institution. Your transfer major will be recorded on your transcripts, making it easy to transition into a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program. Our experienced advisors are here to guide you through the transfer process, ensuring you meet all necessary coursework and program prerequisites.
Explore career opportunities and salary expectations in criminal justice-related fields through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ready to take the next step? Connect with an enrollment coach today and start building your future in criminal justice!
Find Your It!
Prepare for a Career in Law, Corrections, or Investigation
A Degree That Opens Doors
A Criminal Justice degree offers diverse career opportunities, from law enforcement and forensic science to homeland security and legal studies. Whether you plan to become a correctional officer, police officer, detective, probation officer, or forensic investigator, Iowa Lakes provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills to help you succeed.
Seamless Transfer for Career Success
Completing your Criminal Justice Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes ensures that you meet your future university’s general education and major-specific requirements. Since each institution may have different prerequisites, working closely with an advisor will help you create a clear transfer plan and maximize your academic experience.
Program Details
Length
4 terms
Degree
Associate in Arts (64 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
CRJ 100 – Intro to Criminal Justice
Survey of the American criminal justice system, the early, middle and late stages of the criminal justice system are analyzed within the framework of law and research.
CRJ 201 – Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile justice system is examined from historical constitutional and operational perspectives. Theories concerning juvenile delinquency are explored.
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
POL 111 – American National Government†
Review of basic fundamentals of government including federalism, the political process, the presidency, the congress and the judicial system.
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Term 2
CRJ 200 – Criminology
Scientific study of the nature and causes of criminal behavior and social deviance.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose SPC 101, SPC 112 or SPC 122
Humanities: 3 credits
Math: 3 credits
Term 3
CRJ 130 – Criminal Law
This course examines the elements of criminal law. Including the categories of crime by type, defenses, and individuals involved. The course also includes the historical development of criminal law.
Prerequisites: CRJ 100 – Intro to Criminal Justice
MAT 157 – Statistics
This course provides a foundation of statistical concepts and procedures that can aid the student as both a consumer and producer of statistical information. The course emphasizes descriptive and inferential statistical methods, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and linear regression. Students are also introduced to software as it applies to introductory statistical methods.
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score or MAT 110, MAT 140, MAT 120, MAT 121, MAT 127 or MAT 210
SOC 110 – Intro to Sociology†
A survey course applying basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods to examine society, culture, cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and cultural stability and change.
Term 4
CRJ 133 – Constitutional Criminal Procedure
This course examines the protections afforded to individuals by the US Constitution. Specific areas addressed include initial contact with law enforcement and continues through post-conviction relief. Students should gain an understanding of criminal procedures through statutory and precedent case review.
Prerequisites: CRJ 100 – Intro to Criminal Justice and CRJ 130 – Criminal Law
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
By obtaining an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
Communications:
- Students are able to communicate clearly, both written and oral using the correct medium.
- Students are able to support ideas with appropriate and adequate information.
Sciences:
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
- Apply scientific inquiry/scientific method to answer questions about the natural world.
Mathematics:
- Apply mathematical methods to solve real world problems.
- Evaluate the validity of mathematical solutions.
Social Sciences:
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in written and oral communication.
- Students will critique the diversity of human experience, individually and collectively.
Humanities:
- Respond critically using established aesthetic principles or criteria, or an ethical judgement of specific examples as it relates to the discipline.
- Express the principles of the discipline within the global community by using the language, syntax, and cultural context of the discipline appropriately.
Computers:
- Integrate the technology necessary in the workplace environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge in utilizing software application tools.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Associate in Arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Transfer data to Iowa Regent Universities
First Year University GPA
Note: This is the average of transfer with associates and transfer, no associates
2.94
Average Retention One Year After Transferring to a Regent University
86%
Average University Graduation Rates Three Years After Entry to a Regent University
58%
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Trevor Friesner Academic Advisor 712-362-7984 | tfriesner@iowalakes.edu |