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PURPOSE: The Criminal Justice program is for students anticipating a career in the justice system, as well as for persons already employed in the justice system who want to enhance their professional standing and update their skills.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: The Criminal Justice program is designed for students who are planning careers in law enforcement, corrections (juvenile and adult), or employment in related agencies.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Illustrate knowledge of the elements of proof for major and common crimes, the legal classification of offenses, the admissibility and presentation of evidence,and legal guidelines for methods and techniques of evidence acquisition.
- Explain crime and criminal and other deviant behavior in terms of current and historical theories of criminology.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the goals, methods, techniques, norms and responsibilities that govern work behavior in a police career as well as understand the contemporary issues, problems and controversies in modern law enforcement.
- Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions.
- Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both a social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the general principles of US criminal law, the elements of major crimes, and the basic steps of the prosecution procedure.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major components of the US Criminal Justice system to include the evolution, philosophy, structures, and processes of the US justice to include ethical practices within the field of criminal justice.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission
PROGRAM NOTES: The following high school units are strongly recommended for the Criminal Justice program: four units of English, three units of college preparatory mathematics, one unit of laboratory science, and two units of foreign language. There are no physical requirements such as height, weight, eyesight, and physical dexterity; however, the student should understand that there may be such requirements for employment in criminal justice agencies.
The purpose of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree curriculum is to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Four-year college and university transfer opportunities for AAS degrees, if existing, are usually very specific in nature. Reynolds has formal transfer articulation agreements with four-year institutions that enable graduates who qualify to transfer courses completed in the AAS degree. These transfer articulation agreements are subject to change or expiration.
In addition, students may substitute some courses in the AAS degree curriculum with courses that typically transfer to senior institutions. Students interested in transferring in general or transferring under a formal transfer articulation agreement should consult with their faculty advisor upon program entry for further guidance.
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.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing SDV 101 .
