WHAT IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE?The Criminal Justice program prepares the student for entry-level work in the fields of law enforcement,corrections, court systems, loss, safety and prevention, and other related occupations. The Criminal Justice vocations have evolved from jobs with minimal requirements to employment positions that require complex knowledge and skills. The Criminal Justice program curriculum provides the student with a foundation in theory, principles, and techniques employed by criminal justice agencies. Graduates who complete an AAS Criminal Justice degree may seek job opportunities on the federal, state, county, and municipal levels of government, as well as private sectors of the criminal justice field.

JOB OUTLOOKEmployment of private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Increased demand for private detectives and investigators will stem from heightened security concerns and the need to protect property and confidential information. Employment of correctional officers is expected to grow by 5 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is slower than the average for all occupations. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is also slower than the average for all occupations. Continued demand for public safety will lead to new openings for officers in local departments; however, both state and federal jobs may be more competitive.

Southeast Kentucky has particular workforce needs in which criminal justice careers play a key role. HCTC offers four (4) tracks in the Criminal Justice program and one (1) certificate in Computer Forensics.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CURRICULUM AND OTHER INFORMATIONAll Students will complete 33 credit hours of general education courses, including English, communications, mathematics, science, and humanities, and they must meet computer literacy standards. The general education courses can be spread across to allow you to begin taking Criminal Justice courses while fulfilling general education requirements. All students will take 16 credit hours in the technical core and 9 credit hours in the selected track of study which will qualify students for an AAS Criminal Justice degree (total of 61 credit hours) in the selected track of study.

Suggested Course SequenceFirst SemesterCIT 105 Introductions to Computers .................3ENG 101 Writing I ..............................................3COM 181 Basic Public Speaking OR ..................3COM 252 Intro to Interpersonal Comm. .........................................................................(3) MAT 110 Applied Mathematics OR ..................3MAT 150 College Algebra .........................................................................(3)CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice ...........3

Second SemesterENG 102 Writing II .............................................3POL 101 American Government OR .................3POL 255 State Government .........................................................................(3)PSY 110 General Psychology .............................3CRJ 202 Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice .....3CRJ 204 Criminal Investigations .........................3

Third SemesterSOC 101 Introduction to Sociology ..................3Heritage OR Humanities ..................................3

Selected Track Course ......................................3Selected Track Course ......................................3CRJ 216 Criminal Law ......................................3

Fourth SemesterNatural Science Course ...................................3Technical Elective Courses ..............................6Selected Track Course ......................................3CRJ 217 Criminal Procedures ...........................3CRJ 295 Capstone ............................................1Total: ..........................................................61

COMPUTER FORENSICS CERTIFICATECRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice OR........3CRJ 204 Criminal Investigations.........................(3)CRJ 220 Intro to Computer Forensics for Criminal Justice...................................................3 CRJ 230 Criminal Justice Courtroom Procedures...........................................................3CIT 105 Introduction to Computers.....................3CIT 111 Computer Hardware and Software.........4CIT 160 Intro to Networking Concepts OR...........3CIT 161 Introduction to Networks.....................(4)CIT 180 Security Fundamentals............................3Total Credit Hours:............................................23

PROGRAM TRACKS CRIMINAL JUSTICE

TRACKLAW ENFORCEMENT

TRACK CORRECTIONS TRACK SECURITY AND LOSS PREVENTION TRACK

Track Electives-9 hours CRJ 215 Introduction to Law Enforcement-3 hours

CRJ 102 Introduction to Corrections-3 hours

CRJ 110 Principles of Asset Protection 3-hours

Track Electives-6 hours Track Electives-6 hours Track Electives-6 hoursTotal 9 credit hours Total 9 credit hours Total 9 credit hours Total 9 credit hours

Contact Information: Walter Smith | Phone: (606) 487-3303 | Email: wsmith0031@kctcs.edu | Revised: 5/22/2017

CRIMINAL JUSTICE