Criminal Justice with Specialization in:
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 Student Success Coach 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 Student Success Coach 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 Student Success Coach 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 Student Success Coach 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 Coach.
Faculty Program Chair
James McDonald: 407-582-1402
jmcdonald4@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.
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 1006 | INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY | 3 |
| DSC 2242 | TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY * | 3 |
| DSC 2590 | INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
| CCJ 2452 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION * | 3 |
| CJE 2140 | INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY | 3 |
| CJE 2062 | PEACE, CONFLICT AND THE POLICE * | 3 |
| CJE 2160 | MULTICULTURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3 |
| CJC 2162 | COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS * | 3 |
| CCJ 2941 | INTERNSHIP EXPLORATION/FIELD OBSERVATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE * | 1-3 |
| CCJ 2930 | SELECTED TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 1-3 |
| CCJ 2022 | CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE * | 3 |
| CLP 2140 | ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY * | 3 |
| or PSY 2050 | SURVEY OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY |
| HSC 1400C | FIRST AID AND CPR | 3 |
| HFT 2600 | HOSPITALITY LAW | 3 |
| HFT 2630 | SECURITY ISSUES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY | 3 |
| ASL 2140 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 4 |
| |
| DSC 1006 | INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY | 3 |
| DSC 2242 | TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY * | 3 |
| DSC 2590 | INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| ENC 1102 | FRESHMAN COMPOSITION II +*~ | 3 |
| PAX 1000 | INTRODUCTION TO PEACE STUDIES | 3 |
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 Student Success Coach 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 a Student Success Coach to identify the additional General Education courses needed.
Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Student Success Coach 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.
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 1006 | INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY | 3 |
| DSC 2242 | TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY * | 3 |
| DSC 2590 | INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
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 2000 | POLICING SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES * | 3 |
| CCJ 2022 | CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE * | 3 |
| CJE 2600 | CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
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 2162 | COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS | 3 |
| CJC 2000 | INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS | 3 |
| CJJ 2001 | JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
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 1000 | INTRODUCTION TO PEACE STUDIES | 3 |
| CJE 2062 | PEACE, CONFLICT AND THE POLICE * | 3 |
| CJE 2160 | MULTICULTURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
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 1006 | INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY | 3 |
| DSC 2242 | TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY * | 3 |
| DSC 2590 | INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
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 1020 | INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 3 |
| CJL 2100 | CRIMINAL LAW | 3 |
| DSC 1006 | INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY | 3 |
| DSC 2242 | TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER SECURITY * | 3 |
| DSC 2590 | INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT * | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
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 2140 | INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY | 3 |
| HFT 2600 | HOSPITALITY LAW | 3 |
| HFT 2630 | SECURITY ISSUES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 |
