Law Enforcement, A.A.S.

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Program Code: SS510

Degree Requirements

The Law Enforcement program is designed to serve both the educational and training needs of in-service officers and those intending to pursue careers in policing at the municipal, county, state or federal level of service. The combination of a strong general education core and professional courses prepares students to transfer into a baccalaureate degree program or to enter the discipline as a police candidate. For those already in the field, the broad-based, multi-disciplinary program will enhance their professional knowledge and provide them with the educational background demanded by today’s police service.

To provide students with an opportunity to find out what real police work is all about, an internship, served in a local police agency, is a required part of the degree program. In addition, individualized advising is available to guide students with course selection and career direction.

General Education Requirements (Must include the following): 28 Semester Hours

CRJ 200 - Criminology
ENG 101 - Rhetoric
ENG 102 - Rhetoric
PHIL Elective - Any philosophy course
PSYC 101 - General Psychology
PSCI 102 - American State and Local Government ***
or
PSYC 205 - Abnormal Psychology ***
or
SOC 290 - Cultural Diversity in America ***
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
SPCH 101 - Principles of Speech Communication
Science Elective (4 or 5 hours)
*** Students may elect which of these three courses they wish to attempt.

Major Core Requirements: 33 Semester Hours

CRJ 210 - Introduction to Research Methods
CRJ 110 - Introduction to Law Enforcement *
CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice System *
CRJ 130 - Criminal Law
CRJ 120 - Juvenile Delinquency
CRJ 150 - Internship in Criminal Justice
or
CRJ 155 - Internship in Law Enforcement
CRJ 240 - Traffic Administration and Control
CRJ 225 - Criminal Investigation
CRJ 205 - Evidence and Criminal Procedure
CRJ 250 - Law Enforcement Organization and Administration
CRJ 230 - Introduction to Criminalistics
* The law enforcement and criminal justice courses, including the entry level CRJ 110 and CRJ 100 , require students taking those courses to have a proficient level of writing and reading ability. Therefore, it is highly recommended by the program faculty that students who are required to take remedial writing or reading coursework satisfy those requirements prior to enrollment in those two entry-level courses.

Open Electives **: 6 Semester Hours

** It is recommended that students take their elective course work in transferable courses.

Total Required Hours: 67 Semester Hours

Suggested Electives:

CRJ 105 - Introduction to Corrections
CRJ 210 - Introduction to Research Methods
PSYC 208 - Social Psychology
PSYC 210 - Child and Adolescent Development
SOC 280 - Sociology of Social Problems
two hours of physical education

Special Program Notes:

Many employers in the law enforcement and criminal justice field may require employees to submit to mandatory medical examinations, physical agility tests, personal background checks, and drug testing as a condition to their hiring and continuing employment. Certain physical impairments may bar affected students from employment in many aspects of the criminal justice and law enforcement profession. Questions or concerns regarding these requirements should be directed to the coordinator of the Criminal Justice Studies and Law Enforcement programs.