Government, Public Administration & Law Degree (AA-DTA)

Program Description

This is a direct transfer agreement. 

How do we begin to understand crime? What drives human deviance? What are the most effective methods of correction, and how does lawmaking support these systems? In studying Criminal Justice, you’ll use an interdisciplinary, social sciences-based approach to learning about the criminal justice system. Along with building a deep awareness and understanding of law and policy, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively, develop cross-cultural understanding, give and receive feedback, and collaborate with others.

Be one of the people changing the world at the highest level—advocate for the under-privileged, participate in political bodies and movements, develop policy, or prepare for law school. Begin by choosing our Government, Public, and Nonprofit Administration Pathway.

Career Opportunities

  • Lawyer

  • Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

  • Social and Community Service Manager

  • Political Scientist

  • Social Science Researcher

  • Political Science Teacher

  • Sociologist

Degree Planning

In planning this degree students need to work closely with their advisor or a counselor as although the Associate in Arts Degree transfers to four-year colleges and universities in Washington State, it may not meet specific department requirements. (For example, business, engineering, education, etc.)


To earn an Associate in Arts degree all courses taken must be:

  • At college level (numbered 100 or above).
  • A minimum of 75 of the 90 credits required for the degree must be from the General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts & Science – Direct Transfer Agreement. Copies of the list are available online at https://catalog.spscc.edu/distribution-requirements/aa-as-dt-degrees/
  • A maximum of 15 credits will be allowed for courses numbered 100 or above that are not on the General Education list.
  • A class can only count once toward General Education requirements. For example, MATH 205 Linear Algebra will satisfy either Quantitative or Natural Science course requirements, but not both.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above in all college-level courses required.
  • Although this degree is a general transfer degree, South Puget Sound Community College has provided pathways and associated recommended courses for ease of student selection based upon a student’s career interest. Please review the pathway maps for recommended courses and course sequences.

Core Requirements

  • Must satisfy the diversity requirement.
  • CCS 101 Pathways to Success (3 credits)
  • Communication Requirement (10 credits total)
    • ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
    • Communication Distribution Course (5 credits)
  • Quantitative Requirement (5 credits total)
    • 5 credits from the quantitative General Education Distribution
  • Humanities Requirement (15 credits total)
    • 15 credits from 2 discipline. No more than 5 credits in performance/skill courses. No more than 5 credits of foreign language at the first year level.
  • Social Science Requirement (15 credits total)
    • 15 credits from 2 disciplines
  • Natural Science Requirement (15 credits total)
    • 15 credits from 2 disciplines. Must include 1 lab science
  • Electives (27 credits total)
    • 15 credits from the General Education Distribution (AA) or Specified Electives Lists. No more than 3 PE activity credits are accepted in transfer.
    • 12 credits 100 level and above