Criminal Justice

Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell
1 (575) 624-7261

Criminal Justice

1 (575) 624-7261
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About our Criminal Justice Program

The Criminal Justice Associate of Arts degree program prepares graduates to begin careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation, and/or juvenile corrections. This curriculum can serve as a terminal occupational degree program for students seeking immediate employment in the private sector or in government agencies at the local, state, or national level.

The balanced, liberal arts emphasis of this degree, which includes the study of law, criminal justice, social sciences, humanities, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and general education courses, can apply toward a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or other majors at several of New Mexico’s four-year state universities. Students who plan to transfer to an upper-level institution should consult catalogs and advisors at those institutions to determine transferability of all courses taken at ENMU-Roswell.

Criminal Justice A. A.

Criminal Justice A. A.

Associate of Arts


The Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice transfers to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences (BA or BS) degree program at ENMU-Portales.

The Criminal Justice program is part of SB 77's "Two plus two", created as a six-year pilot project in which public post-secondary educational institutions in the southeastern region of the state join to establish a seamless transition from community college to university. The plan may be accessed at this link located at the ENMU-Portales Homepage.

Students who have successfully completed: 1) a New Mexico Department of Public Safety basic or NMDPS-approved satellite police certification training academy or 2) the United States Border Patrol Basic Training Program (USBP), the Federal Air Marshal Basic Training Program (FAMTP), or the Land Management Basic Police Training Program (LMPT) will receive credit for CJ 2140, CJUS 1120, CJUS 1110, CJUS 2130, and HPE 141 upon provision of an official transcript.

Students who have successfully completed the New Mexico Department of Corrections correctional officer basic training academy will receive credit for CJUS 1110 and CJUS 2150 upon provision of an official transcript. If this information applies, please contact an advisor 1 (575) 624-7294 to inquire about the Police Science program to determine which degree best fits.


Program Learning Outcomes


  • Describe the history, structure, and function of the criminal justice system in the United States
  • Discuss the role of law enforcement, court systems, corrections, and security in maintaining social order
  • Identify and describe crime-causation theories, various measures of crime and their reliability, and victimization theories
  • Describe fundamental principles, concepts, and terminology used in the criminal justice system
  • Apply basic analytical and critical-thinking skills to the evaluation of criminal justice issues, policies, trends, and disparities