2024-25 Catalog

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice with Specialization in:

  • Homeland Security

Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1743010302)

The Criminal Justice degree program offers the student a broad background in the history, philosophy, organization, management and operation of the criminal justice system. 

This program prepares students to work in law enforcement, corrections, private/industry security and other criminal justice fields. It is also beneficial to professionals seeking incentive benefits or career enhancement. In addition, this program can be useful as a first step toward a career in other legal or public service careers. Successful completion of a state-certified training academy and state examination is required to be a sworn law enforcement or corrections officer in the State of Florida regardless of any degree work which may have been completed.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult a career program advisor in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Students wishing to transfer any credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution.

Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and advanced course sequence as a guide in program planning. This is found at https://valenciacollege.edu/criminal-justice

All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree

Graduates of the Criminal Justice Institute and specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit. To learn more about Valencia’s award of credit options, visit https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/credit-industry-certification-agreements.php Eligible students should contact the Career Program Advisor in their academic department for more information about the requirements for the award of credit.

College Credit Technical Certificates

The Criminal Justice A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs.  These certificates can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificates are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the certificates as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the certificates that are offered.

  • Criminal Justice Specialist (24 credits) (CIP # 0743010304)
    • Corrections Specialization
    • Homeland Security Specialization
    • Law Enforcement Specialization
    • Peace and Justice Specialization
  • Homeland Security Specialist (9 credits) (CIP # 0743010306)
  • Homeland Security Law Enforcement Specialist (15 credits) (CIP # 0743011202)
  • Hospitality Security Specialist (9 credits) (CIP # 0743010306)

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits).  The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Career Program Advisor or create an education plan by logging into Atlas, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.

Potential Careers

  • Police Officer
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • Security Officer
  • Crime Analyst/Technician
  • Criminal Justice Administration
  • Correctional Officer
  • Detective and Investigator
  • Loss Prevention Specialist
  • Emergency Communications Specialist

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine

Contacts

Future Students

To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or call 407-582-1507 or visit valenciacollege.edu/criminal-justice/.

Current Students

Your Career Program Advisor contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Advisor. 

East Campus Faculty Program Chair
Brian Murphy: 407-582-2381
jmurphy60@valenciacollege.edu

West Campus Faculty Program Chair
Lauren Sykes: 407-582-5673
lsykes3@valenciacollege.edu 

Osceola Campus Faculty Program Chair
Dave Heffernan: 321-682-4223
dheffernan@valenciacollege.edu

Internship and Workforce Services

If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit: valenciacollege.edu/internship

Program Outcomes

  • Students will apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law, and juvenile law to criminal scenarios.
  • Students will describe criminal justice concepts through oral and written formats.
  • Students will analyze life long ethical responsibilities of criminal justice personnel in the administration of justice.
  • Students will examine the interaction between police organizations, the courts, corrections, and the community in the administration of justice.
  • Students will identify practices common to criminal investigations.
Foundation Courses
ENC 1101FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I +*~3
SLS 1122NEW STUDENT EXPERIENCE ~3
CCJ 1020INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE3
MGF 1130MATHEMATICAL THINKING +*~3
CCJ 1010CRIMINOLOGY3
CJE 2600CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION3
Criminal Justice Elective3
Intermediate Courses
PSY 2012GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY ~3
or SYG 2000 INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY
CJC 2000INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS3
CCJ 2053ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE +*3
CJL 2100CRIMINAL LAW3
CJE 2000POLICING SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES +*3
CJJ 2001JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS3
POS 2041U.S. GOVERNMENT3
Criminal Justice Elective3
Advanced Courses
ScienceSee Gen. Ed. Core Requirement ~13
HumanitiesSee Gen. Ed. Core or Institutional Requirement ~3
CJL 2102CRIMINAL EVIDENCE & PROCEDURES3
CCJ 2358CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORT WRITING: CAPSTONE *3
Criminal Justice Elective3
Total Credit Hours60
+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

*

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

~

This is a general education course.

1

Students planning to transfer to UCF should select from these science courses AST 1002 ASTRONOMY, CHM 1020 CHEMISTRY IN EVERYDAY LIFE, PHY 2053C COLLEGE PHYSICS I WITH ALGEBRABSC 1005 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE, EVR 1001 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, BSC 1010C GENERAL BIOLOGY I, and ESC 1000 EARTH SCIENCES.

(GR)

Denotes a Gordon Rule course.

Homeland Security Specialization

Program Outcomes

  • Differentiate between ethical and unethical attitudes and actions regarding execution of homeland security practices.
  • Communicate homeland security concepts through oral and written formats.
  • Identify security threats that affect border and transportation systems.
  • Describe the foundation and goals for security.
DSC 1006INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY3
DSC 2242TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY *3
DSC 2590INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT *3
Total Credit Hours9
Criminal Justice Electives
CCJ 2452CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION *3
CJE 2140INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY3
CJE 2062PEACE, CONFLICT AND THE POLICE *3
CJE 2160MULTICULTURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT3
CJC 2162COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS *3
CCJ 2941INTERNSHIP EXPLORATION/FIELD OBSERVATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE *1-3
CCJ 2930SELECTED TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE1-3
CCJ 2022CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE *3
CLP 2140ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY *3
or PSY 2050 SURVEY OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
HSC 1400CFIRST AID AND CPR3
HFT 2600HOSPITALITY LAW3
HFT 2630SECURITY ISSUES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY3
ASL 2140AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I4
or SPN prefix
DSC 1006INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY3
DSC 2242TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY *3
DSC 2590INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT *3
ENC 1102FRESHMAN COMPOSITION II +*~3
PAX 1000INTRODUCTION TO PEACE STUDIES3
+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

*

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

~

This is a General Education course.

Notes:

All specialized program courses are offered on the East Campus and may not be offered every session; some specialized courses are offered at other locations.

Expand your career opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership (BASBOL) from Valencia. This degree builds on your skills, and prepares you for a supervisory or management role within your respective field. For more information, go to: Bachelor's Degree in Business & Organizational Leadership.  Students who wish to continue their education should consult with a Career Program Advisor to determine the best education plan for their career goals.

For students who are pursuing the A.S. to B.S. career path, additional General Education courses are required to satisfy the required 36 hours for the Bachelor of Science degree. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with an advisor to identify the additional General Education courses needed.

Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Career Program Advisor to discuss transfer options and requirements, and determine the best education plan for their career goals. Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution for acceptance of this degree.

Criminal Justice Specialist

Technical Certificate

This 24 credit-hour certificate is intended for students interested in working in an operational or support capacity within a criminal justice organization or in a governmental or in the private security field. Students will develop a broad-base of knowledge that includes a basic understanding of the criminal justice system, criminal evidence and procedures, criminal investigations, and ethics.  Students will also have the option of selecting a concentration within the certificate that more closely focuses their studies on either law enforcement, homeland security, corrections, or Peace and Justice in Criminal Justice. 

Program Outcomes

  • Apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law and juvenile law to criminal scenarios.
  • Communicate criminal justice concepts through oral and written formats.
  • Analyze life-long ethical and professional responsibilities of criminal justice personnel in the administration of justice.
  • Examine the interaction between police organizations, the courts, corrections, and the community in the administration of justice.
  • Select the appropriate techniques and practices common to particular types of criminal investigations.
Foundation Courses
CCJ 1020INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE3
CCJ 1010CRIMINOLOGY3
Intermediate Courses
CJL 2102CRIMINAL EVIDENCE & PROCEDURES3
CJL 2100CRIMINAL LAW3
CCJ 2053ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE *3
Criminal Justice Specialist Track9
Total Credit Hours24
*

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Criminal Justice Specialist Specializations

Select from one of the following tracks listed below in order to complete the technical certificate

Homeland Security Specialization

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze life-long ethical and professional responsibilities of criminal justice personnel in the administration of justice
  • Apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law, and juvenile law to criminal scenarios
DSC 1006INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY3
DSC 2242TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY *3
DSC 2590INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT *3
Total Credit Hours9
*

 This course has a prerequisite; check description in the Valencia catalog

Law Enforcement Specialization

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze life-long ethical and professional responsibilities of criminal justice personnel in the administration of justice
  • Select the appropriate techniques and practices common to particular types of criminal investigations
CJE 2000POLICING SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES *3
CCJ 2022CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE *3
CJE 2600CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION3
Total Credit Hours9
*

 This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog

Corrections Specialization

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze life-long ethical and professional responsibilities of criminal justice personnel in the administration of justice
  • Examine the interaction between police organizations, the courts, corrections, and the community in the administration of justice
CJC 2162COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS3
CJC 2000INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS3
CJJ 2001JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS3
Total Credit Hours9

Peace and Justice in Criminal Justice Specialization

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze life-long ethical and professional responsibilities of criminal justice personnel in the administration of justice
  • Communicate criminal justice concepts through oral and written formats
PAX 1000INTRODUCTION TO PEACE STUDIES3
CJE 2062PEACE, CONFLICT AND THE POLICE *3
CJE 2160MULTICULTURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT3
Total Credit Hours9
*

  This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog

Notes:

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.

Homeland Security Specialist

Technical Certificate

This certificate is intended for students interested in working for a law enforcement agency, a federal homeland security organization, a private security organization, or in the emergency management field. In particular, students will develop a broad-based knowledge that includes a basic understanding of the structure and mission of homeland security. Additional topics that will be covered include weapons of mass destruction, transportation and border security, legal and ethical issues, sources of terrorist threats and natural hazards, risk assessment and mitigation, the National Incident Command System (NIMS), intelligence and security analysis.

Program Outcomes

  • Identify security threats that affect border and transportation security.
  • Describe the foundation and goals for security.
  • Differentiate between ethical and unethical attitudes and actions regarding execution of homeland security practices.
  • Apply knowledge of constitutional, case, and statutory law to homeland security scenarios.
  • Communicate homeland security concepts through oral and written formats.
DSC 1006INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY3
DSC 2242TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY *3
DSC 2590INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT *3
Total Credit Hours9
*

 This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Notes:

The credits in this course apply towards a Criminal Justice Technology Associates of Science degree.

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

Homeland Security Law Enforcement Specialist

Technical Certificate

This certificate is intended for students interested in working for a law enforcement agency, a federal homeland security organization, a private security organization, or in the emergency management field.  This certificate integrates foundational elements of homeland security within the framework of the criminal justice system.  In particular, students will develop a broad-based knowledge  of homeland security related concepts, which will include a comprehensive overview of the structure, mission, and history of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Other related topics will include weapons of mass destruction, transportation and border security, legal and ethical issues, sources of terrorist threats, natural hazards, risk assessment and mitigation, the National Incident Command System (NIMS), and intelligence and security analysis.

Program Outcomes

  • Identify security threats that affect border and transportation security.
  • Describe the foundation and goals for security.
  • Differentiate between ethical and unethical attitudes and actions regarding execution of homeland security practices.
  • Apply knowledge of constitutional, case, and statutory law to homeland secuirty scenarios.
  • Communicate homeland security concepts through oral and written formats.
  • Examine the interaction between police organizations, the courts, corrections, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the community in the administration of justice and public safety.
CCJ 1020INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE3
CJL 2100CRIMINAL LAW3
DSC 1006INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY3
DSC 2242TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY *3
DSC 2590INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT *3
Total Credit Hours15
*

 This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Notes:

The credits in this course apply towards a Criminal Justice Technology Associates of Science degree.

Hospitality Security Specialist

Technical Certificate

This technical certificate is a cross pollination between two degrees that has an area of complimentary intertwining which provides an academic skill set that is needed by both the security and hospitality industries.

Program Outcomes

  • Identify factors critical to maintaining physical security.
  • Identify legal and liability issues for security officers including legal authority, use of force, search and seizure.
  • Identify what constitutes illegal guests’ acts and guests’ rights.
  • Identify factors to consider when dealing with employment, regulations, and licensing.
  • Examine hospitality security issues and crime prevention.
  • Build lodging and restaurant security programs that reduce and deter criminal activity.
CJE 2140INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY3
HFT 2600HOSPITALITY LAW3
HFT 2630SECURITY ISSUES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY3
Total Credit Hours9