Criminal Justice - Associate in Applied Science in Justice Studies Berkeley College

Degree programs with concentrations in specific areas of Criminal Justice

In a field where you can make a difference, the Justice Studies - Criminal Justice degree programs at Berkeley College can arm you with a strong foundation, taught by faculty with years of extensive professional experience. Focusing on the skills that employers require, you’ll also learn from field trips and guest speakers from various areas of criminal justice, which are an important part of the career-focused program.

To help you prepare for a wide range of careers, Bachelor’s degree programs allow you to specialize in a specific area of criminal justice to help you better prepare for your desired career by improving your qualifications and helping to set you apart in the job market. You can choose a concentration in:

• Police Studies
• Homeland Security
• Cyber Security
• Investigations and Security
• Social Justice
• Social Welfare

Bachelor’s degree students (including Associate’s degree students who choose to continue on toward a Bachelor’s degree) will not need to declare a concentration until registering for their fifth semester.

The degree programs focus on practical career preparation with timely and relevant courses that examine:

• The causes of crime
• Criminal law and procedure
• The role of law enforcement
• Forensic science
• Research methods

Concentrations

The concentration in Police Studies is ideal for students who are:

• Exploring careers in law enforcement
• Passionate about community service and public safety
• Hoping to make a positive impact on their communities
• Currently employed in law enforcement or public safety and seeking opportunities for advancement

The concentration in Homeland Security is ideal for students who are:

• Considering the first step toward a career in the federal government, emergency preparedness, policing, or security
• Interested in the theoretical and practical contemporary issues related to Homeland Security
• Currently working as a first responder (i.e. EMS, firefighter)
• Seeking to apply for a wide range of positions within the federal and local government

The concentration in Cyber Security is ideal for students who:

• Want to develop competency and practical knowledge, enabling them to work with various issues related to cybercrime and cybersecurity
• Are interested in practical digital investigative knowledge, legal practices, and policies related to cyber security
• Desire a critical understanding of the technological needs, threats, and weaknesses in cybersecurity
• Wish to obtain an entry-level position in a rapidly growing and in-demand field with unlimited potential

The concentration in Investigation and Security is ideal for students who:

• Want to develop competency and practical knowledge to enable them to work with various issues related to criminal and civil investigations
• Seek an opportunity to learn the principles and theories associated with all aspects of security, ranging from international security to physical security
• Are interested in advancing their current career by acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to address the continuously changing needs of today’s security requirements

The concentration in Social Justice is ideal for students who:

• Desire a broad background in the discipline by focusing their coursework on the substantive topics of social change, social inequality, and social justice
• Are interested in a wide range of careers, such as civil rights, gender-based violence, immigration; public policy, and public issues concerning marginalized populations
• Recognize that equal access to life-sustaining resources, such as a clean environment, education, employment, healthcare, food, legal protection from discrimination, and economic opportunity is vital to society

The concentration in Social Welfare is ideal for students who:

• Are passionate about working with vulnerable populations, transforming individual lives, and helping children and families to thrive
• Wish to develop an understanding of the impact of trauma, poverty, and substance abuse on society
• Want to comprehend the underlying systemic issues related to disproportionality and disparities faced by communities

Here’s what sets the Berkeley Justice Studies - Criminal Justice program apart:

• You’ll learn in small classes with personal attention from instructors who have worked in many different areas of the criminal justice system
• You’ll have the flexibility of day, evening/weekend, and online classes
• You’ll participate in real-life role-playing and exercises to develop the professional skill sets used by professionals
• You’ll have access to current technology used by criminal justice professionals
• You may have the opportunity to participate in an internship or job-related assignment for a valuable learning experience
• You’ll have exceptional networking opportunities through faculty, justice studies clubs, and alumni connections
• A seamless transition between Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees

Sample Course Sequence

First Semester

• JUS1100 Introduction to Justice Studies 3
• CIS1115 Computer Applications 3
• SOC1123 First Year Experience 3
• ENG1105 Writing and Research 3
• SOC2231 Human Relations 3

Second Semester

• JUS1110 Communication Skills for Criminal Justice Professionals 3
• SOC2210 Introduction to Sociology 3
• ENG2205 Writing through Literature 3
• Liberal Arts Elective 3
• Justice Studies Elective 3

Third Semester

• HUM2225 Introduction to Ethics 3
• SOC2218 Police and Society 3
• SOC2220 Criminology 3
• MAT2215 Statistics I 3
• JUS2000 Career Development 3

Fourth Semester

• JUS2205 Criminal Law 3
• SCI2230 Forensic Science 3
• JUS2201 Criminal Procedure 3
• Justice Studies Elective 3
• Free Elective 3

Justice Studies Electives

• JUS2210 Community Relations and the Police 3
• JUS2220 Justice and the Media 3
• JUS2225 Criminal Investigations 3
• JUS2235 Juvenile Justice 3
• JUS2240 Justice and the Judiciary 3
• JUS2260 Contemporary Issues in Justice Studies 3
• JUS2270 Special Topics in Justice Studies 3
• JUS2293 Internship 3
• NTS1100 Introduction to National Security 3
• NTS2215 Introduction to Emergency Management 3
• NTS2216 U.S. Policy and National Security 3
• NTS2217 Ethics and Homeland Security 3
• LAW1100 Introduction to Law 3
• LAW2235 Immigration Law 3
• LAW2240 Family Law 3
• SOC2230 Victimology 3

Eligibility for some internships required to obtain a Berkeley College degree and employment opportunities in fields related to this program may require candidates to meet specific health requirements or pass criminal background checks prescribed by law. Applicants for whom such requirements may be matters of concern are strongly advised to contact an Admissions Associate prior to enrolling in this program. Note that law enforcement jobs typically require the candidate to be physically and mentally fit and have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, no felony criminal record, no domestic violence charges (felony or misdemeanor), no loan/credit card defaults, and the ability to be licensed (via your agency or department) to carry a firearm. A selection process involving a qualifying examination and/or supplementary training may also be required. Job requirements for non-sworn personnel in criminal justice and related agencies vary. Berkeley College reserves the right to add, discontinue, or modify its programs and policies at any time.

60 semester credits required for graduation