Program: Forensic Science: Associate of Arts concentration in Criminal Justice - Palo Alto College

Apr 09, 2025

The Associate of Arts degree concentration in Criminal Justice/Forensic Science is the application of many different sciences to solve various legal systems related questions including both criminal and civil actions. Students following this concentration will be required to complete the 42-hour core Curriculum. In addition, students will be required to complete 18 hours of criminal justice courses and forensic science courses with labs. The emphasis of the forensic science courses will be on crime scene investigation, analysis of crime scene evidence and forensic psychology. Students who are intending to transfer to a four-year institution must seek advisement with a Criminal Justice Program Advisor, on transfer agreements with specific universities.

Related Degrees and Certificates

Criminal Justice: Associate of Arts concentration in Criminal Justice

Degree Requirements (Total Credit Hours 62)

Communications (10) Core - 2 courses (6 credit hours)

ENGL 1301 - Composition I
ENGL 1302 - Composition II

Mathematics (20) Core - 1 course (3 credit hours)

Select 1 course from the Mathematics (20) Core

Life and Physical Sciences (30) Core - 2 courses (6 credit hours)

Select 2 courses from the Life and Physical Sciences (30) Core

Language, Philosophy & Culture (40) Core - 1 course (3 credit hours)

Select 1 course from the Language, Philosophy & Culture (40) Core

Creative Arts (50) Core - 1 course (3 credit hours)

Select 1 course from the Creative Arts (50) Core

American History (60) Core - 2 courses (6 credit hours)

Select 2 courses from the American History (60) Core

Government/Political Science (70) Core - 2 courses (6 credit hours)

Select 2 courses from the Government/Political Science (70) Core

Social and Behavioral Sciences (80) Core - 1 course (3 credit hours)

CRIJ 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice

Additional Communications (90) Core - 1 course (3 credit hours)

Select 1 course from the Additional Communication (90) Core

Additional Language, Philosophy and Culture (90) Core - 1 course (3 credit hours)

Select 1 course from Additional Language, Philosophy and Culture (90) Core

Additional Requirements (20 credit hours)

CRIJ 1306 - Court Systems and Practices
or CRIJ 1310 - Fundamentals of Criminal Law
CRIJ 1307 - Crime in America
CRIJ 2328 - Police Systems and Practices
FORS 2440 - Forensic Science I
FORS 2450 - Forensic Science II
Select 1 Course from the Core (3 hours)*

NOTES:

Courses from the Additional Requirements area may not be used to satisfy Core Curriculum requirements.
*Check with the four-year institution to which you plan to transfer to ensure that courses taken at PAC are the courses that will apply to the appropriate degree.
CIP Code: 43.0104
Major Code: CJFR