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Program Codes:
ASCRJLE
Associate of Science
Mission
The mission of the Associate Degree Criminal Justice Department is to prepare students for a career in the field of criminal justice at the local, state, and federal level. This program works to enhance the importance of understanding and compassion in the application of the law. Intellectual awareness is stressed by the faculty.
The Criminal Justice Program is designed to prepare students for careers in criminal justice. Examples include law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, and private security. The curriculum stresses the integration of job skills with an understanding of the human relations context within which police work occurs. Coursework in the operations of the criminal justice system is blended with upper-level courses in criminology, criminal investigation, police functions, and several human relations courses.
Because the department recognizes the importance of basic communication, mathematics, and behavior skills, a strong developmental skills component is included in this program. Upon completing this program, students will be prepared for entry-level positions in many areas of the criminal justice system. With experience, one may qualify for promotion to higher-level supervisory positions.
Students must earn an overall 2.0 GPA, along with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 in all Criminal Justice courses.
If a student decides to transfer to a four-year degree program in criminal justice after completing this degree program, many of the completed courses with a grade of C or better will be applied toward the degree requirements.
Law Enforcement Concentration
This AS in Criminal Justice degree can be coupled with the Municipal Police Officer Training Program. After successful completion of the Municipal Police program, students will meet the requirements for Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers. A minimum of 61 credits is required for the completion of this associate degree program.
This is the foundation course in juvenile justice which provides an overview of the juvenile justice system and the study of juvenile delinquency. It examines the nature and development of delinquency against the backdrop of normal adolescent development. Research and theory are used to help the student distinguish between typical forms of adolescent exploration and indications of potentially serious delinquency. A variety of sociological, social psychological, and psychological theories of delinquency are reviewed.
This course provides an overview of basic line functions found within state and local law enforcement agencies. Included are patrol procedures and community policing concepts being undertaken that enhance relationships between the police and the community they serve. The role of other operating components found within law enforcement agencies will be explored along with the responsibilities of the services and auxiliary bureaus.
CRJS 101
The course presents basic procedures in the investigation of criminal matters. Topics include interview procedures, crime scene examinations, development of information, procedures for solving crimes, criminalistics, and the use of forensic sciences.
CRJS 207
An in-depth analysis of criminal behavior systems, theoretical developments in explaining crime, and research methodology used in Modern American Criminology.
CRJS 101
This introductory computer course provides students with a working knowledge of computer terminology. Topics also include Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel, Access and Power-Point and their applications in business.
Required Courses (22 Credits)
This course examines the Pennsylvania Act 120 and the authority of the Municipal Police Education and Training Commission and the Pennsylvania legal system. It further examines the history of modern law enforcement, contemporary issues in police community relations and ethics.
This course provides concepts in Physical Fitness, Emotional Health/Stress Management. This course also includes the Academy physical fitness requirements.
This course examines concepts in the areas of constitutional law, criminal procedure, criminal law and motor vehicle law as those concepts relate to criminal justice. This course also examines developing legal issues in criminal law.
This course provides an overview of those basic line functions found within municipal law enforcement agencies. Included are patrol procedures and community policing concepts currently being undertaken that enhance those relationships between the police and the community they serve. The role of other operating components found within law enforcement agencies will be explored along with the responsibilities of the services and auxiliary bureaus.
This course presents basic procedures in the investigation of criminal matters. Included are interview procedures, crime scene examinations, development of information, procedures for solving crimes, criminalistics, and the use of forensic sciences.
Ths course explores the most important topics encountered in contemporary policing. This includes but are not limited to criminal acivity, controlled substances, cultural diversity, handling juveniles and more.
A study of the judicial process and the legal framework encountered by the law enforcement which develops a basic understanding and application of the physical process of arrest, officer discretion in arrest/non-arrest situations, risk factors and appropriate response.
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the best practices in emergency vehicle operation. It further offers practical, behind the wheel exercises in vehicle maneuvering with various road conditions.
This course offers "hands on" insruction in first aid and CPR. Further is instruction in surviving a traumatic incident by maintaining self-reliant and offensive position by employing emerency medical tactics and extrication techniques.
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the basic legal information and framework and tactics that apply to unarmed and armed self-defense. It further prepares the student for law enforcement, legal, psychological, and tactical events that can be expected during and after such an encounter.
