Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Applied Science
Credit Hours
Location
Newark
Format
On campus
Admission
Open enrollment
Financial Aid Eligible
Yes
Overview
The criminal justice technology program prepares you for employment, professional advancement and continued education in criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, probation, courts, investigations, security and related public safety fields. All students begin with a common foundation in the American criminal justice system, constitutional and criminal law, ethical decision-making, professional communication, cultural competency, investigations, public safety practices, and the roles and responsibilities of criminal justice professionals. In the second half of the program, an area of specialization — the criminal justice track or peace officer track — is selected for more in-depth study aligned with your career goals.
Peace Officer Track
The peace officer track is designed for students seeking appointment as peace officers in Ohio. This track incorporates the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training curriculum and prepares eligible students to meet the training requirements established by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and to sit for the state certification exam. You will complete applied instruction in areas such as criminal and constitutional law, patrol operations, firearms, driving, subject control, physical conditioning, crisis response, investigations, traffic enforcement, report writing, and scenario-based decision-making.
Criminal Justice Track
The criminal justice track is designed for students pursuing careers in criminal justice and public safety occupations that do not require completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training. Career opportunities include corrections; probation; court services; criminal investigations; private security; homeland security; juvenile justice; and other local, state and federal criminal justice agencies. This track also provides an academic foundation for students who plan to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice or a related discipline.
Future Start Dates
Admission Requirements
This is an open enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and complete the standard steps to enroll.
Peace officer track: If you choose to complete the peace officer track, you must also meet the peace officer basic training program requirements below.
Peace Officer Basic Training Admission Requirements
Peace Officer Basic Training Admission Requirements
In addition to tuition and fees, you are required to purchase and wear a uniform. You are charged a one-time $250 fee for ammunition (fee subject to change without notice due to price changes by the manufacturer).
1. Apply to COTC.
Complete the free COTC admission application if you are a new or returning student, and accept your admission to the college.
2. Make financial plans.
- If you plan to use financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA. COTC’s school code is 011046.
- If you plan to use Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, contact Mark Rose in our student financial services office at rose.1691@mail.cotc.edu.
- If your employer is paying for you (not reimbursing you), contact Krystal Ramey in the student financial services office at ramey.245@mail.cotc.edu.
3. Submit official high school, GED and/or college transcripts.
High school diploma: Contact your high school to request your official transcripts be sent to COTC. Transcripts can be submitted as follows:
- Mail: Official transcripts can be mailed directly from the high school by their staff in a sealed envelope to:
Central Ohio Technical College
Attn: Student Records
1179 University Drive
Newark, OH 43055
- In-person drop off: Official transcripts can be dropped off by the student in a sealed envelope with a signature or stamp from the high school over the seal of the envelope.
Gateway Enrollment Center
Hopewell Hall
1189 University Drive
Newark, OH 43055
GED: Request your GED transcript directly from the GED Transcript Request Service.
College:If you are pursuing an associate degree at COTC, send transcripts from any colleges or universities you’ve attended. Official transcripts can be sent electronically from the college/university (or their approved third-party vendor), mailed or dropped off in person.
4. Take the physical conditioning entry testing.
You must attend the physical conditioning entry testing and pass the standards required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) no more than 150 days before the start of the academy you wish to attend. Testing is conducted twice a month.
5. Attend an information meeting.
Once you have passed the physical conditioning entry testing, you must attend a mandatory information meeting. Registration for information meetings will be provided after passing the physical conditioning test.
6. Complete the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) enrollment packet.
The OPOTC enrollment packet is provided at the mandatory information meeting.
7. Complete online orientation.
You will receive an email within one week after applying to COTC directing you to complete online orientation. Orientation is required to enroll in classes.
Credit for What You Know
COTC recognizes that college-level learning can happen outside of a college classroom. We value your life experience by turning it into college credit that can be applied toward a certificate or degree. If you are currently an Ohio Certified Peace Officer, you may be eligible to receive college credit for the peace officer basic training courses with eligible documentation of current peace officer status.
Plan of Study
Peace Officer Track
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology
Peace Officer Track
Total hours required: 64.5
|
Autumn Semester |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Composition I*^ |
3 |
|
| HIST-100 | American Politics & Government | 3 |
|
Human Nutrition |
2 |
|
|
Introduction to Criminal Justice^ |
3 |
|
|
MATH-123 or MATH-130 or |
Quantitative Reasoning* Introduction to Statistics* College Algebra* |
3 |
|
Introduction to Psychology^ |
3 |
|
|
Total |
17 |
|
|
Spring Semester |
||
|
Composition II* |
3 |
|
|
Ethics in Criminal Justice^ |
2 |
|
|
Constitutional Law & Courts*^ |
3 |
|
|
Public Administration^ |
2 |
|
|
Introduction to Homeland Security*^ |
3 |
|
|
Abnormal Psychology* |
3 |
|
|
Total |
16 |
|
|
Summer Semester |
||
|
Administration*^ |
2 |
|
|
Criminal Law*^ |
4.5 |
|
|
Human Relations*^ |
3 |
|
|
Driving*^ |
1.5 |
|
| LET-264 |
Wellness III*^ |
1 |
|
Investigations*^ |
2 |
|
| LET-284 | Homeland Security^ | 1 |
| LET-298 | First Aid*^ | .5 |
|
Total |
15.5 |
|
|
Autumn Semester |
||
|
Patrol*^ |
4.5 |
|
|
Advanced Patrol Tactics*^ |
3 |
|
|
Wellness IV (first term only)*^ |
1 |
|
|
Firearms*^ |
2 |
|
| LET-296 | Traffic*^ | 3.5 |
| LET-237 | Subject Control*^ | 2 |
|
Total |
16 |
|
*Course may have prerequisites. Please check the course description to view all prerequisites and requirements.
^A “C” (2.00) grade or better is required to progress and graduate from the criminal justice technology program.
The college reserves the right to change curricula without notice.
Published: May 2026
Criminal Justice Track
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology
Criminal Justice Track
Total hours required: 61
|
Autumn Semester |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Composition I*^ |
3 |
|
| HIST-100 | American Politics & Government | 3 |
|
Human Nutrition |
2 |
|
|
Introduction to Criminal Justice^ |
3 |
|
|
MATH-123 or MATH-130 or |
Quantitative Reasoning* Introduction to Statistics* College Algebra* |
3 |
|
Introduction to Psychology^ |
3 |
|
|
Total |
17 |
|
|
Spring Semester |
||
|
Composition II* |
3 |
|
|
Ethics in Criminal Justice^ |
2 |
|
|
Constitutional Law & Courts*^ |
3 |
|
|
Public Administration^ |
2 |
|
|
Introduction to Homeland Security*^ |
3 |
|
|
Abnormal Psychology* |
3 |
|
|
Total |
16 |
|
|
Summer Semester |
||
|
Criminal Law and Procedure*^ |
2 |
|
|
Basic Investigations^ |
2 |
|
|
Juvenile Process*^ |
3 |
|
|
Probation and Parole*^ |
3 |
|
|
Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
|
|
SPCH-100 OR |
Fundamentals of Communication^ Public Speaking^ Small Group Communication^ |
3 |
|
Total |
16 |
|
|
Autumn Semester |
||
|
Introduction to Corrections*^ |
4 |
|
|
Drugs in the Criminal Justice System*^ |
3 |
|
|
Criminology*^ |
3 |
|
|
Criminal Justice Practicum*^ |
2 |
|
|
Total |
12 |
|
*Course may have prerequisites. Please check the course description to view all prerequisites and requirements.
^A “C” (2.00) grade or better is required to progress and graduate from the criminal justice technology program.
The college reserves the right to change curricula without notice.
Published: May 2026
Program Outcomes
Statement of Purpose
The program addresses the functions and organization of the criminal justice system, integrating critical thinking, decision-making skills and the understanding of different cultures, ethics and social problems into the curriculum. The program provides students with comprehensive and practical knowledge that addresses the diverse professional areas of the criminal justice system that include policing, courts, probation and parole, and homeland security.
Program Outcomes
- Prepare graduates to communicate effectively in written, oral, interpersonal, and professional settings.
- Develop students’ understanding of the structure, functions, and interrelationships of law enforcement, courts, corrections, probation, juvenile justice, security, and other components of the criminal justice system.
- Prepare students to apply constitutional, statutory, procedural, and ethical principles when addressing criminal justice and public safety issues.
- Develop students’ abilities to analyze information, solve problems, make defensible decisions, and respond appropriately to complex situations.
- Provide students with practical skills in investigations, documentation, evidence recognition, interviewing, public interaction, conflict management, and other professional practices.
- Prepare Peace Officer Track students to satisfy applicable Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission training requirements and demonstrate the competencies necessary for entry-level peace officer service.
- Prepare Criminal Justice Track students for entry-level employment, professional advancement, or transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice or a related field.
Transfer Options
Students interested in continuing their education to pursue a bachelor’s degree can consider transferring to a four-year college or university. COTC has transfer agreements with the following four-year colleges:
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I complete the criminal justice technology associate degree?
Students who enroll full time may complete the criminal justice technology associate degree in four semesters.
Can I take classes online or face-to-face?
Classes in the criminal justice program require hands-on learning and are only offered face-to-face, so you should plan to be on campus to complete this degree. Some general education courses may be available and completed online.
What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?
COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.
Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.
See Paying for College for more information, or connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.