Criminal Justice  

 

Be One of the Good Guys

 

There will always be a need for people willing to protect those who cannot protect themselves. The PPCC Criminal Justice AAS program will prepare you to work in this exciting field. Develop skills in crime scene investigation, police photography, defense tactics, tactical driving, patrol procedures and firearms training. Whether your career goals are at the federal, state, county or municipal level, you’ll be well prepared and in high demand.

You might choose this career area if you are interested in helping people by protecting lives and safety. You will use your knowledge of criminal law, police procedures, and investigative techniques to support various law-enforcement activities at the federal, state, and local levels. You can prevent and solve crimes, take action in the event of emergencies, and help people turn their lives around. If you love to help others, have good communication skills, the ability to think and act quickly, and have honesty, integrity and sound judgment, then you could be an outstanding member of the law enforcement community. You’ll enjoy great employment opportunities nationwide, lots of variety on the job, and the satisfaction of making a difference in your community.

Want to find out if this career is for you? Check it out on the web at http://www.acinet.org/, and select Occupation Information.
 

Program Description

If you want to get started in a law enforcement career, upgrade your skills for advancement, or transfer on to a higher degree, the Criminal Justice program will provide the comprehensive training you need. We’ll teach you crime scene technology, forensics, and criminal law. Plus, you’ll learn accident investigation, police photography, fingerprint technology, and much more. PPCC offers one of the broadest ranges of course offerings in the nation, and strong areas of degree emphasis including Investigations/ Management, Patrol, Corrections, and Crime Scene Investigations. Equivalent certificates are also available, as well as Patrol Recertification.

If you choose the Investigations/Management emphasis, you will specialize in criminal investigation and police intelligence techniques. The Crime Scene Investigations emphasis leads to specific skills in practical evidence gathering and investigative techniques. Those who choose the Patrol emphasis will perform general law enforcement duties including maintaining regular patrols and responding to calls for service. The Corrections emphasis provides training for overseeing individuals who have been arrested, are awaiting trial or other hearing, or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in jail, prison, reformatory, or penitentiary.

Besides the Criminal Justice AAS degree and certificates, another option is the Pikes Peak Regional Law Enforcement Academy certificate. In just 18 weeks, you can earn your Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification and be on your way to an exciting career in law enforcement. We’ll help you sharpen your defense skiills, school you in the fine points of law enforcement driving, and make you a star student in patrol procedures and pistol training. Course blocks are taught by professional instructors from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI – just to name a few – and all instructors are state certified.

Career Path Notes

College credits toward the degree program may be awarded for prior experience and training in law enforcement. To find out more, ask about Credit for Prior Learning.

Program Information

Click here for program specific information.

For More Information

Call the Division of Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences at 719-502-3300.

Employment Opportunities

The certificates and Associate of Applied Science degree provide training for occupations such as Police Officer, Corrections Officer, and Crime Scene Investigator. PPCC graduates have gone on to careers in Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Investigations, Corrections, State and Federal Probation Offices, State and Federal Parole Offices, private security consulting services, and many others. Several PPCC graduates have advanced to become sheriffs and police chiefs.

Earnings Outlook

In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers was $24.78, with a salary range of $17.22 - $33.11. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 460 job openings per year in Colorado. The median hourly salary in 2005 for Correctional Officers was $19.48, with a salary range of $14.00 - $26.14. From 2004-2014, there are expected to be an average of 290 openings per year statewide. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Financial Aid

www.ppcc.edu/FinancialAid

Advising

www.ppcc.edu/Advising

Apply

www.ppcc.edu/Apply Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising  

 

Associate of Applied Science Degrees

 

 

CRJ Investigations Degree

 
1st Semester - Fall
CIS 118 Intro to PC Applications
 or
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
ENG 121 Composition I
 or
ENG 131 Technical Writing
ENG 122 Composition
 or
COM 115 Public Speaking
 or
POS 125 American State & Local Government
MAT 107 Career Math
 or
MAT 120 or higher
PSY 112 Psychology of Adjustment
Semester 1 Credit Hours 15
 
2nd Semester - Spring
CRJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 125 Law Enforcement Operations
CRJ 210 Constitutional Law
CRJ 220 Human Relations
CRJ 230 Criminology
Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
 
3rd Semester - Fall
CRJ 111 Substantive Criminal Law
CRJ 112 Procedural Criminal Law
CRJ 145 Correctional Process
CRJ 208 Evidence
CRJ 216 Juvenile Law & Procedures
Semester 3 Credit Hours 15

 

4th Semester - Spring
CRJ 118 Report Writing
CRJ 209 Criminal Investigation I
CRJ 211 Criminal Investigations II
CRJ 212 Criminal Investigations III
CRJ 218 Drug Investigation Strategies
CRJ 219 Police Intelligence
CRJ 245 Interview and Interrogation
CRJ 250 Computer Crime Investigation
Semester 4 Credit Hours 22
 
Total Credit Hours 62
 
 

CRJ Patrol Degree

 

1st Semester - Fall
CIS 118 Intro to PC Applications
 or
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
ENG 121 Composition I
 or
ENG 131 Technical Writing
ENG 122 Composition
 or
COM 115 Public Speaking
 or
POS 125 American State & Local Government
MAT 107 Career Math
 or
MAT 120 or higher
PSY 112 Psychology of Adjustment
Semester 1 Credit Hours 15
 
2nd Semester - Spring
CRJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 125 Law Enforcement Operations
CRJ 210 Constitutional Law
CRJ 220 Human Relations
CRJ 230 Criminology
Semester 2 Credit Hours 15

3rd Semester - Fall
CRJ 111 Substantive Criminal Law
CRJ 112 Procedural Criminal Law
CRJ 145 Correctional Process
CRJ 208 Evidence
CRJ 216 Juvenile Law & Procedures
Semester 3 Credit Hours 15

4th Semester - Spring
CRJ 118 Report Writing
CRJ 126 Police Patrol Procedures
CRJ 209 Criminal Investigations 1
CRJ 219 Police intelligence
CRJ 225 Criminal Crisis Intervention
CRJ 246 Traffic Accident Investigation
CRJ 227 Law Enforcement Supervision
CRJ 280 Patrol Internship
Semester 4 Credit Hours 21
 
Total Credit Hours 62

 

CRJ Corrections Degree

 

1st Semester - Fall
CIS 118 Intro to PC Applications
 or
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
ENG 121 Composition I
 or
ENG 131 Technical Writing
ENG 122 Composition
 or
COM 115 Public Speaking
 or
POS 125 American State & Local Government
MAT 107 Career Math
 or
MAT 120 or higher
PSY 112 Psychology of Adjustment
Semester 1 Credit Hours 15
 
2nd Semester - Spring
CRJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 125 Law Enforcement Operations
CRJ 210 Constitutional Law
CRJ 220 Human Relations
CRJ 230 Criminology
Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
 
3rd Semester - Fall
CRJ 111 Substantive Criminal Law
CRJ 112 Procedural Criminal Law
CRJ 145 Correctional Process
CRJ 208 Evidence
CRJ 216 Juvenile Law & Procedures
Semester 3 Credit Hours 15
 
4th Semester - Spring
CRJ 118 Report Writing
CRJ 146 Community Corrections
CRJ 215 Constitutional Rights of Inmates
CRJ 249 Penology
CRJ 255 Org. & Mgt. of Correctional Institutions
CRJ 280 Corrections Internship
Semester 4 Credit Hours 17
 
Total Credit Hours 62

CRJ Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Degree

 

1st Semester - Fall
CIS 118 Intro to PC Applications
 or
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
ENG 121 Composition I
 or
ENG 131 Technical Writing
ENG 122 Composition
 or
COM 115 Public Speaking
 or
POS 125 American State & Local Government
MAT 107 Career Math
 or
MAT 120 or higher
PSY 112 Psychology of Adjustment
Semester 1 Credit Hours 15
 
2nd Semester - Spring
CRJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 125 Law Enforcement Operations
CRJ 210 Constitutional Law
CRJ 220 Human Relations
CRJ 230 Criminology
Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
 
3rd Semester - Fall
CRJ 111 Substantive Criminal Law
CRJ 112 Procedural Criminal Law
CRJ 145 Correctional Process
CRJ 208 Evidence
CRJ 216 Juvenile Law & Procedures
Semester 3 Credit Hours 15
 
4th Semester - Spring
CRJ 118 Report Writing
CRJ 127 Crime Scene Investigations
CRJ 167 Fingerprinting
CRJ 209 Criminal Investigations I
CRJ 260 Photography
CRJ 264 Practical Crime Scene Investigation
CRJ 280 CSI Internship
Semester 4 Credit Hours 23
 
Total Credit Hours 62 

Certificates

Advanced Investigations
Basic Investigation
Corrections
Patrol
Patrol Recertification