Criminal Justice

Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice

Why Study Criminal Justice at Delgado?

Since the 1950s, Delgado Community College has offered formal instruction in Criminal Justice and Public Safety. From April 1976 to May 1987, the college offered an associate degree in Criminal Justice-Corrections; this program was terminated, by request of the college in 1987, to be replaced by the current A.A. program.

With the culturally rich backdrop of a city like New Orleans, what better subject to study than a discipline that celebrates what it means to understand our criminal justice system? The devoted faculty, tradition of excellence in our students, and wealth of resources at the college all combine to make criminal justice a vital part of the Delgado difference. In addition to a great learning environment, our Criminal Justice department offers the following:

• preparation for direct entry into the workforce, transfer to four-year colleges, and professional advancement
• caring, experienced faculty who provide students with one-on-one advisement
• a diverse student body that reflects the local community of New Orleans and the surrounding area, from high school students to current members of the police force
• a faculty developed program that serves students’ educational and professional needs
• various campus locations
• flexibility: students who choose to do so can complete the degree 100% online
• faculty with combined years of work experience in law enforcement

 The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Criminal Justice prepares students whose career interests are in law enforcement, law, and corrections for direct entry into the workforce, for transfer to four-year institutions, and for professional advancement.

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Mission Statement

Delgado’s Criminal Justice program is dedicated to providing our students with the best possible education and the tools necessary to prepare students to enter a diverse workforce in a multi-cultural service-dominated career in employment in the criminal justice profession, including law enforcement, corrections, private security, juvenile justice and probation and parole.  Our program offers knowledge, education, experience and guidance in the criminal justice system, and the social, psychological, and cultural aspects associated with the justice system such as the future of policing, and building community trust and relationships.

The program will serve the criminal justice education needs of our state’s residents, employers, workers and leaders from around the country and the world.

In addition, it is the mission of the program to prepare those who plan to continue their education and obtain advanced degrees in the criminal justice field.

Program Outcomes

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Criminal Justice Associate of Arts program, the learner will be able to:

• Create and formulate a worldview that includes an historical foundation of American law and the criminal justice system (SLO #1)
• Identify and define major components of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections) (SLO #2)
• Interpret and evaluate the significance and practice of the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions within all components of the criminal justice system (SLO #3)
• Analyze historical and current issues of crime in the United States through an application of statistical data in order to interpret the distribution and dimensions of crime (SLO #4)
• Classify, describe, and discuss the theoretical approaches, issues, and programs related to the causes of crime, crime prevention, and rehabilitation of offenders (SLO #5)

Program Offerings

For students whose career interests are in law enforcement, law, and corrections, the Criminal Justice program provides preparation for direct entry into the workforce, for transfer to senior colleges, and for professional advancement.

The following are courses that we teach in criminal justice:

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Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to seek the following career options:

• Corrections
• Law Enforcement
• Legal Assisting
• Private Security
• Fire and Police Dispatch