Criminal Justice CSC

More information: Criminal Justice CSC

PURPOSE

This program provides an overview of criminal justice and basic police officer training. It is designed for those who have an interest in understanding societal issues associated with crime and the work performed by criminal justice professionals. The curriculum examines various approaches to understanding crime. Topics include:

• Collecting evidence
• Conducting criminal investigations
• Crime prevention
• Interface between police, other criminal justice agencies
• Issues pertaining to criminal justice and law enforcement in modern society
• Juvenile justice system
• Maintaining law and order
• Police-citizen conflict

Students completing this career studies certificate may apply the courses completed to the Administration of Justice AAS degree.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES 

The Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate prepares students for entry-level careers with general law enforcement responsibilities. This career studies certificate may lead to civilian and sworn positions, including:

• Dispatcher
• Correctional officer
• Police officer
• Security personnel

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

• Understand elements of proof for major and common crimes, legal classification of offenses, admissibility and presentation of evidence, and legal guidelines for methods and techniques of evidence acquisition
• Explain general principles of U.S. criminal law, elements of major crimes, and basic steps of the prosecution procedure
• Explain major components of the U.S. criminal justice system to include: evolution, philosophy, structures, and processes
• Describe ethical practices within the field of criminal justice
• Outline crime and criminal and other deviant behavior in terms of current and historical theories of criminology
• Demonstrate understanding of goals, methods, techniques, norms and responsibilities that govern work behavior in a police career
• Understand contemporary issues, problems and controversies in modern law enforcement

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

• General college curricular admission

PROGRAM NOTES

Certain illegal activities and/or convictions may prohibit employment in law enforcement. Employing agencies may require additional training, such as completion of a police academy for some positions. Employing agencies may have minimum age requirements for some positions and may require a physical examination.