Academic Programs and Services
Justice
The Justice curriculum provides the education, knowledge and skills needed to fight crime, protect the public and work within the court and corrections systems. A sequence of courses is offered to accomplish the following objectives: (1) establish a knowledge base about Justice, (2) transmit a set of professional values and (3) facilitate the development of skills related to professional activity. Whether the setting is a police, parole, probation, corrections, corporate or homeland security agency, the curriculum starts with the assumption that the need for knowledge, values and skills is critical for the performance of professional activity.
An anticipated outcome is that persons already working in a justice setting will substantially enhance their knowledge, values and skills. Another anticipated outcome of the Justice curriculum is that students will be prepared to transfer to a four-year institution or enter a justice setting at a beginning professional level.
Students completing the Justice program will be prepared to work as state or municipal police officers/troopers, state or municipal corrections officers, parole and probation officers, private security managers, private investigators, homeland security investigators/screeners and youth detention counselors.
In addition to five core Justice courses, the curriculum offers four concentrations. Each concentration focuses on a different area in the Justice field and is designed to enable students to pursue their own professional interests. It is recommended that students select their concentration and the courses within it in consultation with a Justice faculty advisor. The Police concentration is designed for students interested in the law enforcement profession. It provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to respond to and protect a crime scene, retrieve and analyze evidence, and maintain and protect the chain of evidence throughout the entire prosecution process. The Corrections concentration provides students with a strong foundation in the correctional process. It teaches them how to safely and successfully work within the American correctional system from the moment a defendant is convicted through his/her incarceration period and subsequent reintegration into society. The Parole/Probation concentration provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to manage cases from a defendant’s conviction to his/her completion of probation or parole. Finally, the Corporate/Homeland Security concentration provides students with a broad foundation in key aspects of the corporate environment such as asset protection, homeland security and the investigation of corporate crimes.
Program Entry Requirements:
All students interested in the Justice field may enroll in this curriculum. Those identified as needing developmental coursework must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of their degree program. In addition, students are required to attend a group or individual informational session with the Justice Coordinator.
Program of Study and Graduation
Requirements:
Students are required to take five core courses and five courses within their chosen concentration. In addition, six prescribed general education courses and four directed electives are required.
To qualify for the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Justice, the student must complete a minimum of 60 prescribed credit hours and attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average).
Philadelphia Police Academy Program: Persons who have graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy may be eligible to receive academic credit for Justice 101, Justice 151, Justice 221, Justice 241, and Justice 261. The award of academic credit is contingent upon recommendation of the Curriculum Coordinator.
Download a printable degree description (PDF File) that includes a recommended course sequence grid.