Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

Do you want to help make your community safer? Do you have the desire to serve your community by working with suspects and/or victims of crime? Do you have the integrity needed to enforce the law fairly? Do you want to help offenders learn how to live in a free society so they won’t return to prison?

The Criminal Justice program at Virginia Western Community College prepares you to become employed as a Police Officer, Sheriff’s Deputy, Jailor, Probation Officer, School Resource Officer, Private Security Officer, Retail Security Specialist, and other criminal justice careers.

Begin your journey today to a career that is diverse, difficult, and carries great personal satisfaction.

Click here for additional curriculum information.

Related Programs

• Foundations of Criminal Justice (Career Studies Certificate)
• Foundations of Criminal Justice – Advanced (Career Studies Certificate)

Credit for Prior Learning

Based on the agreement between the Virginia Community College System and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, students who have satisfactorily documented successful completion of the VA State Police Academy or a regional and independent certified training academy may be awarded credit.

Click here for the list of courses and credits awarded

Transfer Agreements

Through system agreements, students who graduate from one of Virginia’s 23 community colleges with an associate degree and a minimum grade point average may obtain GUARANTEED admission to more than 30 of the commonwealth’s colleges and universities. Click here for a list of Virginia Transfer Partners.

In addition, Virginia Western has entered into the following articulation and guaranteed admissions agreements specific to the Criminal Justice program. This list is subject to change, and the most current agreements can be found on our Transfer Agreements page.

• Averett University: AAS Criminal Justice to BS Sociology/Criminal Justice (PDF)
• Ferrum College: Criminal Justice Program (PDF)
• Old Dominion University: Criminal Justice to BS in Criminal Justice (PDF)
• Radford University: AAS in Criminal Justice to BS in Criminal Justice (PDF)

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