
Program Information
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General Help
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Course Sequence
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The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science provides the student with a specialization in forensic investigation as it relates to crime. The curriculum presents a specialized scope of knowledge about photography, collection and preservation of evidence, and investigative strategies. The program provides students with an important knowledge base for investigative specialization in a wide range of disciplines and careers. This degree pathway also provides students with the opportunity to complete two Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Crime Scene Investigation, and Fingerprint Identification and Photography.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Behavioral Science and Human Services
- Type
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
- Academic Plan
- Forensic Science (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 3183
- Total Credits Required
- 61-68
- Catalog Year
- 2023-2024
- Effective Term
- Fall 2023
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
This program replaces:
AAS/3041 Forensic Science: Crime Lab
AAS/3404 Forensic Technology
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments.
- Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning.
- Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
- Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
- Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals.
- Apply the principles and processes of criminal and constitutional law, criminology theory, knowledge of the functions and components of the criminal justice system, and current issues to criminal justice operations.
- Utilize technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
- Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
- Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
- Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Coroners
$60,188 Show expanded career information for Coroners
Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
$91,087 Show expanded career information for Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$97,579 Show expanded career information for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Forensic Science Technicians
$65,035 Show expanded career information for Forensic Science Technicians
Intelligence Analysts
$97,579 Show expanded career information for Intelligence Analysts
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$81,280 Show expanded career information for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Police Detectives
$91,087 Show expanded career information for Police Detectives
Police Identification and Records Officers
$97,579 Show expanded career information for Police Identification and Records Officers
Police Patrol Officers
$75,273 Show expanded career information for Police Patrol Officers
Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$107,778 Show expanded career information for Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | Critical course Gateway course | SB | 3 | |
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105 |
Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence | Critical course | 3–4 | ||
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC | 3 | |
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | 3–6 | |||
FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS123 | Ethics and the Administration of Justice | HU | 3 | ||
AJS216 or FOR106 |
Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence | 3–4 | |||
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | Lab Science emphasis only | 0–3 | ||
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS275 | Criminal Investigation I | 3 | |||
AJS290BN | Courtroom Testimony Seminar | 1 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Elective | Elective Course | 0–3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | Critical course Gateway course | SB | 3 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC | 3 | |
FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105 |
Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence | Critical course | 3–4 | ||
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS216 or FOR106 |
Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence | 3–4 | |||
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | 3–6 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS123 | Ethics and the Administration of Justice | HU | 3 | ||
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | Lab Science emphasis only | 0–3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS275 | Criminal Investigation I | 3 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS290BN | Courtroom Testimony Seminar | 1 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 9
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 10
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elective | Elective | 0–3 |
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Become a Student
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Program Information
- Learn more about the program and find contact information through one of the programs below:
- Administration of Justice
- Forensic Science
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=183942).