Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science Degree
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Recommended basic skills standards are
The Criminal Justice Program at PPCC is designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge of employed criminal justice professionals, and to provide a pre-employment or transfer program to students interested in the field, or in continuing on to a four year school.
With a wide variety of emphasis areas, including Investigations/Management, Patrol, Corrections and Crime Scene Investigation, and corresponding certificates. The student seeking an AAS degree, or the professional employed in the field can upgrade their skills for hiring, advancement and promotion. PPCC offers one of the broadest ranges of course offerings in the nation.
An AAS degree from PPCC will open doors into many opportunities in law enforcement at the state, federal and local level. Our students have gone on to careers in Criminal Investigations, as Crime Scene Investigators, Corrections officers, State and Federal Probation and Parole officers, and many others. Several PPCC graduates have advanced to become chiefs of police and sheriffs.
Students should realize, however, that a degree from PPCC will not guarantee a position with an agency in the criminal justice field. Many agencies impose requirements other than education for employment. These requirements may be related to age, physical condition, height, weight and vision. The majority of employers in the criminal justice field will not hire persons with a felony conviction, or a lengthy history of drug use. Some arrests and/or convictions for certain crimes will also be disqualifiers. Employers in the field screen for certain psychological and personality traits, and many give pre-employment polygraph tests.
Prospective students with questions concerning the foregoing should consult with faculty advisors.
General Education Courses
Introduction to PC Applications |
3 |
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or |
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Computer Literacy |
(3) |
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English Composition I: CO1 |
3 |
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or |
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Technical Writing I |
(3) |
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English Composition II: CO2 |
3 |
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or |
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Public Speaking |
(3) |
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or |
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American State & Local Government: SS1 |
(3) |
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Career Math |
3 |
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or |
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MAT 120 or higher |
(3-4) |
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Psychology of Adjustment |
3 |
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AAS Approved General Elective |
3 |
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18-19 |
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Required Courses (all emphasis areas)
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
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Law Enforcement Operations |
3 |
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Correctional Process |
3 |
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Principles of Criminal Law |
3 |
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Criminal Evidence |
3 |
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Constitutional Law |
3 |
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Juvenile Law & Procedures |
3 |
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Human Relations & Social Conflict |
3 |
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Criminology |
3 |
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Police Report Writing |
3 |
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Emphasis Area |
12 |
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42 |
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Total Credit Hours |
60-61 |
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Emphasis Areas
Choose twelve (12) credit hours in one emphasis area
Investigations/Management
Criminal Investigation I |
3 |
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Criminal Investigation II |
3 |
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Interview & Interrogation |
3 |
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Computer Crime Investigation |
3 |
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Victimology |
3 |
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Criminal Profiling |
3 |
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Internship |
3 |
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Drug Investigative Strategies |
3 |
Patrol
Criminal Investigation I |
3 |
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Criminal Investigation II |
3 |
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Crisis Intervention |
3 |
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Victimology |
3 |
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Internship |
3 |
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Police Patrol Procedures |
3 |
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Traffic Investigation |
3 |
Corrections
Community Based Corrections |
3 |
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Constitutional Rights of Inmates |
3 |
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Penology |
3 |
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Organizational Management of Correctional Institutions |
3 |
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Internship |
3 |
Crime Scene Investigations (CSI)
Crime Scene Investigation |
3 |
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Criminal Investigation I |
3 |
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Practical Crime Scene Investigation |
3 |
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Fingerprinting |
3 |
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Police Photography |
3 |
Certificates
Gainful Employment Disclosure located at www.ppcc.edu/ge.
Advanced Investigations
Criminal Investigation II |
3 |
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Interview & Interrogation |
3 |
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Practical Crime Scene Investigation |
3 |
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Police Photography |
3 |
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Total Credit Hours |
12 |
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Basic Criminology
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
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Juvenile Law & Procedures |
3 |
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Criminology |
3 |
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Total Credit Hours |
9 |
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Basic Investigations
Crime Scene Investigation |
3 |
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Criminal Investigation I |
3 |
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Criminal Investigation II |
3 |
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Report Writing |
3 |
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Fingerprinting |
3 |
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Total Credit Hours |
15 |
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Corrections
Introduction to PC Applications |
3 |
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Correctional Process |
3 |
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Community Based Corrections |
3 |
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Constitutional Rights of Inmates |
3 |
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Report Writing |
3 |
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Total Credit Hours |
15 |
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Criminal Justice Basic
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
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Law Enforcement Operations |
3 |
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Juvenile Law & Procedures |
3 |
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Human Relations & Social Conflict |
3 |
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Total Credit Hours |
12 |
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Patrol
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
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Law Enforcement Operations |
3 |
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Criminal Investigation I |
3 |
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Crisis Intervention |
3 |
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Report Writing |
3 |
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Total Credit Hours |
15 |
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