What is the new B.A.S. in Criminology & Criminal Justice at Portland State University (PSU)?
It is a new bachelor's degree pathway specifically designed for transfer students who have already earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree at a regionally accredited community college. It allows students to turn their vocational coursework into a full bachelor's degree, which is often necessary for career advancement.
Which A.A.S. degrees are eligible for this program?
PSU will accept terminal
- A.A.S. degrees in criminology,
- criminal justice, corrections,
- law enforcement,
- juvenile justice,
- paralegal, and
- paralegal studies.
If a student has an A.A.S. in a different but closely related field, the advising staff and department chair will gladly review the application on a case-by-case basis to determine if it is appropriate for admission.
How is the B.A.S. different from a traditional B.A. or B.S. degree?
The most critical difference is how community college transfer credits are counted. Since A.A.S. degrees are heavily vocational, traditional B.A. or B.S. degrees only accept up to 12 of those vocational credits, resulting in a lot of "wasted credit". The B.A.S. pathway, however, accepts up to 67 vocational credits from an approved A.A.S. degree.
How much time and money can a student save by choosing the B.A.S. pathway?
By accepting an additional 55 vocational credits, the B.A.S. saves full-time students nearly two years of extra coursework (about 4.5 terms) compared to pursuing a traditional B.A. or B.S.. Based on current in-state tuition and fees, this translates to saving approximately $21,877.
Will B.A.S. students take different or "watered down" major classes?
No. The Criminology and Criminal Justice major requirements are absolutely identical across the B.A., B.S., and B.A.S. pathways. B.A.S. students will take the exact same high-quality core courses and electives, taught by the same diverse and experienced faculty.
Is this program flexible for working adults?
Yes! The department understands that many A.A.S. degree holders are already working in their field (such as paralegals or correctional officers). To accommodate working students, courses are offered both in-person on campus and fully online.
Will a B.A.S. degree limit future career or graduate school options?
Not at all. Graduates with a B.A.S. will not face any disadvantage in the job market. Local partners, such as the Portland Police Bureau and the Department of Corrections, have raised no issues regarding hiring B.A.S. graduates. Furthermore, a B.A.S. fully satisfies the baccalaureate degree requirements for admission into master's degree programs and law schools.
Why should counselors recommend this pathway?
Many students earn an A.A.S. degree for immediate employment, only to hit a career ceiling later because they lack a bachelor's degree. This pathway creates a seamless, inclusive, and equitable route for social mobility. It eliminates the financial and personal barriers of "starting over" while providing tailored advising for students with applied educational backgrounds.