A working knowledge of the criminal justice system is provided by the criminal justice courses in the curriculum, an understanding of human behavior is provided by the psychology and sociology courses, and the government courses provide knowledge of bureaucratic structure.
Students completing the required courses are prepared to compete for jobs in the criminal justice field at the local and state level. Those students desiring employment with federal law enforcement agencies usually need to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree. They are also qualified to enter the private security field.
The certificate program is basically designed for persons presently employed in the criminal justice system. Many people now working in that field received no formal training for their job, and this certificate program is designed to provide them with the basic skills necessary to perform their jobs.
Those interested in a four-year bachelor’s degree should enroll in the Associate in Science degree program in the Transfer Programs section of this catalog.
Students who complete this program will be able to:
- Read, analyze, and apply criminal justice texts, laws, and cases.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Be prepared to work in the criminal justice field with sensitivity and recognition of cultural and socioeconomic differences
- Be prepared to work in the criminal justice field with the ability to recognize common ethics-related situations encountered by criminal justice professionals, and will be prepared to respond appropriately
- Demonstrate an understanding of the origins of criminal behavior, society’s response to crime, and the consequences of crime to our society, utilizing multiple perspectives.
- Articulate ethical implications of decision making in a professional capacity.