Students pursuing a career in criminal justice have several career options in public and private corrections, security, and law enforcement arenas. Law enforcement officers may be responsible for protection of life and property, prevention of crimes, and the arrest of violators. Security personnel may be responsible for the protection of property, the prevention of crimes and the detection of those violating laws. Corrections officers may be responsible for maintaining discipline and order in prisons, jails, detention centers, and halfway houses through the supervision and control of residents. Management opportunities in criminal justice and criminal justice administration can include local, state and federal agency work. Persons competing for entry-level criminal justice employment will generally be required to complete an employment application, written and oral exam, drug and psychological screening, background investigation, polygraph, medical exam and physical ability/agility testing.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 92 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AAS Criminal Justice degree is awarded.
Courses that are developmental in nature, (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses), are not applicable to this degree.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations | 3 |
| CJ100 | Intro to Criminal Justice | 4 |
| WR121 |
English Composition or English Composition w/Honors or Introduction to Expository Writing |
3 |
| Specific Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| CJ101 or CJ101H |
Intro to Criminology or Intro to Criminology w/Honors |
4 |
| CJ110 | Intro to Policing | 4 |
| Specific Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Specific Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CJ220 or CJ155 |
Introduction to Substantive Law or ROTA 1: Legal Concepts I |
4 |
| MTH65 | Algebra II 4 | 4 |
| SP218 | Interpersonal Communication 5 | 3 |
| Specific Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Specific Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CJ222 or CJ156 |
Constitutional Law or ROTA 2: Legal Concepts II |
4 |
| Specific Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Specific Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Health, Wellness, and Fitness 6 | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
| CJ130 | Corrections an Introduction | 4 |
| Health, Wellness, and Fitness 6 | 1 | |
| Specific Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CJ247 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Health, Wellness, and Fitness 6 | 1 | |
| Social Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Specific Elective 3 | 6 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 92 | |
| 1 | Social Science - Specific Electives: recommend SOC204 Introduction to Sociology, SOC205 Social Institutions and Change, SOC206 Social Problems and Issues. May use any courses numbered 100 or higher in the areas of ANTH, SOC, PSY and PS, except 180/280 courses. |
| 2 | Human Developmental (HD) support courses 100 level or higher can fulfill elective credits; however, remedial courses will not fulfill elective requirements. |
| 3 | Specific Elective options: any course within the Criminal Justice (CJ) or Emergency Management (EMT) prefix and HD100 College Success and Survival or WR227 Report Writing. |
| 4 | MTH95 Intermediate Algebra or higher may be substituted for MTH65 Algebra II. |
| 5 | SP111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking or higher may be substituted for SP219 Small Group Discussion. |
| 6 | HE250 Personal Health or PE231 Wellness for Life may be substituted for three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of professional integrity and ethical standards for Oregon criminal justice professionals.
- Describe and relate the constitutional rights and responsibilities of citizens, offenders, and victims as they apply to state, federal, and procedural laws.
- Describe the processes and technology used to gather, investigate, manage, and report information in the criminal justice field.
- Identify the legal responsibilities of criminal justice professionals as they relate to cultural diversity and establishing positive community relationships.