The Criminal Justice, Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree offers a coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare students to work as criminal justice practitioners, supervisors, and managers in law enforcement agencies and other related workforces. The program also provides supplemental training for people previously or currently employed in these occupations (SOC 33-1012).
A student must successfully complete a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) Basic Recruit Program to work as a law enforcement officer, pursuant to Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.
Degree Information
Program Costs
Tuition costs for programs and courses at the associate's degree level are $109.73 per credit hour. Additional costs will include textbooks, materials, and course fees. Learn more about our tuition & fees.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to all eligible students each semester from the LSSC Foundation. Visit the Foundation Scholarships page to learn more.
Students graduating from high school and enrolling at LSSC may qualify for other scholarships offered through the State of Florida. You will be notified of your eligibility after you apply to the College.
Financial Aid
There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work-Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. For more information and how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid page.
A student must have a high school diploma or GED to apply to Lake-Sumter State College.
Application Process
Degree Planning
Semester-by-Semester Course Plan for Full-Time Students
Semester-by-Semester Course Plan for Part-Time Students
Check your DegreeWorks to track your progress toward completing your degree and program.
Jobs/Careers
- Police Officer
- Deputy Sheriff
- Corrections Officer
Job Outlook (Florida)
Statewide, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FLDEO) predicts 7.2% job growth in Criminal Justice through 2023. This includes all 67 of Florida's counties.
In Central Florida, FLDEO predicts a 1.75% growth rate in Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers through 2029. For this data, Central Florida includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Sumter Counties.
Salary Data (Florida)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data, the median salary for Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers is $62,740 in Central Florida. Across Florida, the median salary is $61,970. For this data, Central Florida includes Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
Career Report
To learn more about this career, visit the My Next Move career site. My Next Move is an interactive tool for job seekers and students to learn more about their career options. My Next Move has tasks, skills, salary information, and more for over 900 different careers. My Next Move is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
For additional assistance with choosing a career, make an appointment with LSSC's Career Development Services office.
Mission
The mission of the Criminal Justice program is to provide students with the skills and knowledge of criminal law and explores the theoretical foundations, knowledge, skills, and practices of criminal justice operations.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the A.S. Criminal Justice program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of laws, procedures, policies, and functions of the United States criminal justice system and other justice systems.
- Discuss ethical problems common throughout the criminal justice system
- Obtain required information and properly prepare written reports
- Explain the police role in relation to sociological and psychological dynamics of the community
Gregory Bridgeman
Email: BridgemG@LSSC.EDU
Gregory Bridgeman (MA in Administration of Justice/Management) joined LSSC in 2018. He started work in law enforcement in 1974 as a deputy sheriff in Texas. He served 12 years in the United States Army and another 8 years in the Army Reserve. He has taught criminal justice in the community college system for over 20 years. He retired as a deputy sheriff after 21 years of service in 2017.
The State of Florida requires students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by the time they graduate, pursuant to s. 1007.25(5), Florida Statutes. Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, newly enrolled students must demonstrate competency through completion of a civic literacy course and by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).
Check your DegreeWorks or the Florida Civic Literacy Requirement page for more information.