The Criminal Justice program is comprised of professional and general education courses and is designed to provide the student with a broad exposure to criminal justice theory and process as well as contemporary issues and problems. The curriculum provides a balanced approach to both law enforcement and corrections, with supporting courses that enhance both perspectives. The program has been developed in conjunction with active professionals in the field of criminal justice who serve as members of an advisory committee. Successful completion of the two-year program described in this guide leads to an Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree in Criminal Justice. The AAS-T option may improve the transferability of Associate in Applied Science degrees to some four-year programs.

The Criminal Justice program is comprised of professional and general education courses and is designed to provide the student with a broad exposure to criminal justice theory and process as well as contemporary issues and problems. The curriculum provides a balanced approach to both law enforcement and corrections, with supporting courses that enhance both perspectives. The program has been developed in conjunction with active professionals in the field of criminal justice who serve as members of an advisory committee.

The Associate of Science in Administration of Justice: Criminology Emphasis is designed to qualify students for entry into the field of law, law enforcement, or corrections directly from Santa Barbara City College, as well as for those who desire two years of criminal justice study for transfer to a four-year university or law school.

The mission of the Associate in Science in Administration of Justice for Transfer (AS-T) degree program is to provide students with knowledge of the criminal justice system and its diverse components, as well as provide the training necessary to enter various careers in the criminal justice sector. The program is for those who seek to prepare for a career in criminal justice, transfer to a college or university, and for those who are currently employed in an administration of justice agency and who seek training for career advancement.

The Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) associate degree program is designed to prepare the next generation of emergency management and policy leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to improve outcomes in disasters of all types. This online degree program includes instruction in policy as well as planning and operational components of emergency management and homeland security, including opportunities to gain practical experience and work with current incident management technologies. The curriculum provides policy foundations and advances students through core competencies in hazard identification; risk and vulnerability assessment; planning; terrorism; mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; and planning for diverse populations.

Interested in a career in Corrections or Law Enforcement? Our Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice provides students with a basic foundation of the American criminal justice and corrections systems.

The purpose of the Criminal Justice Studies program is to provide the student with a system orientation to the field of Criminal Justice. Study in Criminal Justice involves the application of the principles of Criminal Justice and the related behavioral and social sciences to problems and issues in the field. The program focuses on building knowledge in the areas of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Within the program students will develop a knowledge base for an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the kinds of problems and circumstances that often result in criminality. Furthermore, the program provides students with the opportunity to gain necessary skills in the area of interviewing, program development, community organizations, planning and research within the field of criminal justice. The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice curriculum is intended to provide its graduates with the necessary foundation for a successful career.

The Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree program provides the student with a foundation in the structure, function, and procedures of the criminal justice system, leading to a wide variety of employment opportunities in various criminal justice environments, both public and private.

The Associate degree in Criminal Justice is a unique way to master the concepts of the legal system, law enforcement, evidence handling, and crime scene investigation and prepares students to think critically about issues such as criminology, administration, criminal investigation, evidence, and procedures.

In this program, the criminal justice courses are restricted to students who are officially admitted to this program. The criminal justice system is a highly specialized field. Law enforcement officers are employed by 40,000 local police agencies nationwide as well as county sheriffs’ departments. Law enforcement officers must be prepared to interact with the public in a position of responsibility and authority. Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including criminal law, police field operations, criminal investigation, and human relations enhances the professionalism of the criminal justice system.

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Criminal Justice is designed with a three-fold purpose: (1) to prepare graduates for entry-level positions relevant to law enforcement, (2) to prepare students for upper-division coursework at universities and colleges where a bachelor’s degree is desired, and (3) to respond to the growing demand of law enforcement employees seeking to upgrade their skills and knowledge base for career advancement with a college degree. Career Opportunities: Graduates of the program will be qualified for positions such as detectives and criminal investigators, correctional officers and jailers, forensic science technicians and protective service workers including TSA agents, security systems personnel, homeland security officers, reserve officer, safety officers, intake worker positions, jail transport officers.

In a field where you can make a difference, the Justice Studies - Criminal Justice degree programs at Berkeley College can arm you with a strong foundation, taught by faculty with years of extensive professional experience. Focusing on the skills that employers require, you’ll also learn from field trips and guest speakers from various areas of criminal justice, which are an important part of the career-focused program. To help you prepare for a wide range of careers, Bachelor’s degree programs allow you to specialize in a specific area of criminal justice to help you better prepare for your desired career by improving your qualifications and helping to set you apart in the job market.

Allen's associate degree in criminal justice prepares students to transition to an academy or transfer to a university by providing foundational learning in criminal justice and related social sciences.

Labette Community College offers an Associate in Science degree in Criminal Justice.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Administration of Justice takes two years to complete (four semesters).