Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Program at Virginia Western will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities in the criminal justice field. The program, which offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, combines a mix of lecture courses with on-site learning experiences at local correctional facilities, police departments and courts.  

This flexible and affordable program offers small class sizes, online learning opportunities and individualized instruction from law enforcement professionals with a combined 100-plus years of experience. Graduates leave the program ready to serve their community with an in-depth knowledge of the law enforcement field and career-advancing connections. 

What career opportunities are available with a criminal justice degree? 

There are a wide range of positions within the field, all with the goal of improving communities and keeping citizens safe:  

• Police officer 
• Deputy sheriff 
• Crime analyst 
• Jailer 
• Probation officer 
• School resource officer 
• Court clerk 
• Outreach worker 
• Public safety telecommunicator 

There is a high local demand with organizations internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): 

• Roanoke City Police Department 
• Roanoke County Police Department 
• Salem Police Department 
• Franklin County Sheriff’s Office 
• Danville Police Department 
• Radford City Police Department 
• Blacksburg Police Department 
• Virginia Tech Police Department 
• Virginia State Police 

Existing law enforcement officers may gain increased opportunities for career advancement and earning potential. 

Related Programs

• Criminal Justice: Foundations (Career Studies Certificate)
• Criminal Justice: Advanced Foundations (Career Studies Certificate)

Transferring

If you’re considering an AAS program and interested in transferring to a four-year college or university, contact a program advisor upon entry to the program to discuss your plans.  

Virginia Western has entered into the following 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)

Credit for Prior Learning

Per the articulation agreement between the Virginia Community College System and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, students who have satisfactorily documented successful completion of the Virginia State Police Academy or a regional and independent certified training academy shall be awarded credit for prior learning.