
The field of law enforcement and criminal justice is an exciting and rewarding career choice for those who desire to find employment in a field which offers variety and new challenges on a daily basis. Individuals involved in this field will have the opportunity to make contributions to their community as well as society as a whole! South Suburban College is proud to offer a wide range of curricula to help you on your way to an exciting new career or to augment your skills if you are presently employed in this field.
The Criminal Justice Programs at South Suburban College are designed for those individuals either desiring employment with, or upgrading of their skills for, police agencies, correctional facilities, or security companies. Theoretical and practical coursework is provided for maximum flexibility in career choice.
All students must demonstrate a minimum math competency equivalent to MTH 095.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Criminal Justice Program is to provide the student with a foundational understanding of the American Criminal Justice System so as to place them in a position to enhance their ability to become employed, or to advance their career, as a law enforcement or correctional officer.
Goals
- The student will be able to identify and understand the relationships between the three branches of the criminal justice system;
- The student will be able to write in an effective and clear manner;
- The student will be able to identify and understand the basic Constitutional protections as applied to law enforcement officials;
- The student will be able to identify and address the ethical/moral issues related to law enforcement/corrections;
- The student will understand the physical, intellectual, and personal background requirements related to the hiring practices of law enforcement and correction agencies;
- The student will understand the evidentiary issues related to arrest and prosecution of an accused in the courts;
- The student will be able to identify criminal acts and ascertain what codified laws apply to those criminal acts;
- The student will be able to understand the importance of: evidence collection, the chain of evidence, and basic evidence collection techniques;
- The student will learn the modern theory of Community Oriented Policing and identify law enforcement practices that strengthen law enforcement – community relations.
Criminal Justice System AAS Degree (CJS.AAS)
Overview for College Success | Credits | |
---|---|---|
OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a class that will help you plan and assist you in becoming a better student and support you in your work/life balance. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section. |
Cluster 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
CJS 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
CJS 103 | Police Operations | 3 |
PSC 101 | American National Government | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Cluster 2 | Credits | |
SPE 108 | Oral Communication | 3 |
CJS 104 | Criminology | 3 |
CJS 105 | Criminal Law (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
CJS 215 | Police Report Writing | 3 |
PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Cluster 3 | Credits | |
CJS 206 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
CJS 207 | Evidence and Criminal Procedure (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
CJS 209 | Community Policing | 3 |
CJS 211 | Criminal Justice Fieldwork I | 3 |
SOC 206 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
PSC 102 | American State and Local Government | 3 |
Cluster 4 | Credits | |
CJS 212 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
CJS 220 | Topics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
CJS | Criminal Justice System Elective | 3 |
GROUP II | Humanities Elective | 3 |
GROUP IV | Mathematics Elective OR Physical and Life Science Elective |
3 |
Minimum for Degree: | 63 |
Recommended Electives: | Credits | |
---|---|---|
MIS 101 | Computer Literacy and Applications | 3 |
SPN 101 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 |
CJS 102 | Police Administration (Recommended for those currently working in the profession.) | 3 |
CJS 208 | Forensic Science | 3 |
CJS 210 | Traffic Law & Investigation | 3 |
CJS 213 | Police Supervision and Leadership (Recommended for those currently working in the profession.) | 3 |
CJS 227 | State Police Physical Agility Education | 3 |
Corrections Officer/Youth Supervisor Option (CJS.AAS.CORR)
This program is designed for individuals interested in working in correctional settings, including youth facilities, penitentiaries, jails, and probation and parole settings.
Overview for College Success | Credits | |
---|---|---|
OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a class that will help you plan and assist you in becoming a better student and support you in your work/life balance. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section. |
Cluster 1 | Credits | |
---|---|---|
ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
CJS 106 | Introductions To Corrections | 3 |
GROUP IV | Mathematics Elective | 3 |
Cluster 2 | Credits | |
CJS 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice System (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
CJS 102 | Police Administration | 3 |
CJS 104 | Criminology | 3 |
CJS 105 | Criminal Law (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
CJS 207 | Evidence and Criminal Procedure (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
Cluster 3 | Credits | |
HSA 108 | Substance Abuse | 3 |
MIS 101 | Computer Literacy & Applications | 3 |
CJS 201 | Private Security/Loss Prevention | 3 |
CJS 171 | Security Administration | 3 |
SPE 108 | Oral Communication | 3 |
Cluster 4 | Credits | |
PSC 101 | American National Government | 3 |
CJS 209 | Community Policing | 3 |
CJS 213 | Police Supervision | 3 |
CJS 215 | Police Report Writing | 3 |
CJS | Criminal Justice System Elective | 3 |
SOC 206 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
Minimum for Degree: | 64 |
Criminal Justice System Certificate (CJS.CERT)
Gainful Employment Information
Overview for College Success | Credits | |
---|---|---|
OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a class that will help you plan and assist you in becoming a better student and support you in your work/life balance. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section. |
Credits | ||
---|---|---|
ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
CJS 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
PSC 101 | American National Government | 3 |
CJS 102
CJS 213 |
Police Administration OR Police Supervision |
3 |
CJS 103
CJS 215 |
Police Operations OR Police Report Writing |
3 |
CJS 104 | Criminology | 3 |
CJS 105 | Criminal Law (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator)/td> | 3 |
CJS 206 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
CJS 207 | Evidence and Criminal Procedure (Required courses. See CJS Coordinator) | 3 |
CJS 209
CJS 214 |
Community Policing OR International Criminal Justice |
3 |
CJS 211 | Criminal Justice Fieldwork I | 3 |
CJS 208
CJS 220 CJS 212 |
Forensic Science OR Topics in Criminal Justice OR Constitutional Law |
3 |
Minimum for Certificate: | 36 |