Program Description
The program introduces students to the necessary skills and academic knowledge for
advancement in entry-level positions in various law enforcement and industrial security
enterprises. These career opportunities may be in areas such as public safety, security,
government agency, diplomatic security, and border patrol.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of law enforcement and the legal basis for decision
making.
- Demonstrate proficiency in criminalistics and evidence forensics.
- Demonstrate understanding of the judicial process, corrections and juvenile justice as
they relate to law enforcement.
- Demonstrate the ability to define and articulate organizational and ethical issues
impacting law enforcement.
- Think critically both conceptually and using mathematical analysis; write and speak
effectively; use basic computer applications; and understand human behavior in the
context of the greater society.
Potential Job Position Titles
- Public Safety Officer
- Industrial Security Specialist
- Utility Security Specialist
- Safety and Security Officers in businesses, Airports, Home Building Associations and Stadiums
- Police Officers
- Port Authority Agents
- Various Government Agents
Program Length
The average length of time for a student taking a full course load is four semesters.
Program Content
A minimum of 60 semester credit hours is required for graduation.
Required Courses
All course, 31 semester credit hours, are required
CJ 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course provides instruction on the components of the American Criminal Justice
System: Courts, Police and Corrections. Students will utilize critical thinking skills to
discern the balance between individual rights and public order as it pertains to the
Criminal Justice Process. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the Criminal
Justice System and Processes through examinations, assigned papers and reports.
Additionally, students will participate in field and classroom experiences created to
explore the various career opportunities within the Criminal Justice System. 3.0 credit
hours. Prerequisite: None.
CJ 115 Criminal Law
This course covers the key components of criminal law and its enforcement. While
the primary focus is substantive criminal law other topics include an overview of the
criminal law process, defenses, and jurisdiction of the courts. The primary emphasis
is on substantive criminal law including its statutory codification. The course will
examine crimes against persons, property and peace and order in detail and analyze
the essential elements and burdens of proof required for a conviction. 3.0 credit hours.
Prerequisite: None.
CJ 120 Introduction to Criminology
The course is a theoretical study of crime, its causes, prevention and control. The
student will examine the field of criminology and obtain an appreciation for how
research models are used to better understand and explain criminal behavior and
society's response to it. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
CJ 130 Introduction to Law and Judicial Process
This course covers the major structures, basic legal concepts and legal procedures
that regulate the criminal court system. The course also examines the roles of key
participants and the effect of Appellant and Supreme Court decisions on the criminal
law process. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
CJ 140 Report Writing and Communication
This course covers the various aspects of official police report writing. Areas covered
include taking effective field notes, understanding the purposes and audiences of law
enforcement, and properly completing various uniform citations and paperwork. 3.0
credit hours. Prerequisite CJ 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
CJ 200 Introduction to Corrections
This course covers the basics of corrections including historical events and social issues,
which have shaped our current systems. This course also covers functions of corrections
today including contemporary prison populations, custodial structure, prisoner rights
and legal issues, capital punishment, and community corrections programs and
developing issues. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
CJ 210 Law Enforcement Security
This course provides a comprehensive overview of private security including its
increasing role in the criminal justice system and homeland security. 3.0 credit hours.
Prerequisite: CJ 130 Introduction to Law and Judicial Process.
CJ 220 Ethics in Law Enforcement
This course covers the basics of public administration and the ethical issues of public
service. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: CJ 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
CJ 230 Evidence Forensics
This course covers the law, types and current rules of evidence acquisition. 4.0 credit
hours. Prerequisite: CJ 130 Introduction to Law and Judicial Process.
CJ 250 Juvenile Justice
Students will learn about the juvenile justice system and apply constitutional law and
procedures that are distinctly different from the adult criminal system. 3.0 credit hours.
Prerequisite: None.
Elective Courses
A minimum of 6 semester credit hours of open electives is required.
General Education Requirements
Students enrolled in associate degrees must complete a minimum of 21 semester credit hours in general education. *
1 Semester Credit Hour in Information Literacy
3 Semester Credit Hours in English Composition
3 Semester Credit Hours in Speech
4 Semester Credit Hours in Computer Applications
4 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics (College Algebra or Above)
3 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science
3 Semester Credit Hours in Science or Humanities with a Critical Thinking Focus **
* Transfer students may use three semester credit hour courses transferred from
other colleges to satisfy these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in
the total of 37 semester credit hours required in general education may be made
up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines.
** A course with a critical thinking focus would be a course that addresses the theories
and application of critical analysis with an emphasis on developing sequential
reasoning skills. Examples may be courses in critical thinking, philosophy, logic, or science.
Personal Development Courses
A minimum of two semester credit hours is required.
PD 100 Student Success Skills
This course provides instruction in the both theory and practice of personal growth that lead to successful life experience. Topics include research in critical self-analysis of student habits and attitudes; and psychological impediments to successfully setting and achieving personal goals. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 120 Personal Financial Management
This course deals with the concepts of personal financial planning and financial control. Topics center on critical self examination of student planning techniques through analysis and research of personal financial legal documents, checking accounts and banking services; income tax procedures; savings methods; investment planning; risk
management and insurance; and credit records, credit law, and the cost of credit. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 150 Client Services
This course provides a critical examination of issues embedded in the practice of providing client service. Topics include research about best practice in customer service and communication techniques; psychologically based methods for dealing with the management of customer complaints; and the roles of a customer service employee
and supervisor within ethical boundaries and common business practice. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 200 Career Development Seminar
This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to apply critical self-examination techniques and processes for developing a career path and an awareness of the need to embed life-long learning into career management. Topics include career planning research, job searching, developing career search documents, and refining interview
and communication skills within an awareness of psychological boundaries implicit in this process. Successful completion of this course requires the creation of a professional resume suitable for e-mail. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
(Courses are subject to change. Please call (330) 724-1600 or toll free at (800) 311-0512 to request the current course schedule.)
