Criminal Justice Diploma
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The Criminal Justice Technology diploma program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for Criminal Justice professions. Learning opportunities develop academic, occupational, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of Criminal Justice theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Criminal Justice Technology diploma. Graduates who are current practitioners will benefit through enhancement of career potential. Entry-level persons will be prepared to pursue diverse opportunities in the corrections, security, investigative, and police administration fields. Completion of the Criminal Justice Technology diploma does not ensure certification of officer status in Georgia. Students must seek such certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council.
Entrance Requirements
This program requires either the Next Generation ACCUPLACER®, ACCUPLACER®, or COMPASS college placement test and High School Diploma or GED.
ACCUPLACER® Next Gen scores: Reading 224, Writing 236, Arithmetic 229
ACCUPLACER® minimum scores: Reading Comprehension 55, Sentence Skills 60, Arithmetic 34
COMPASS minimum scores: Reading 70, Writing 32, Mathematics 26
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:ENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.1240MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.1291PSYC1010Basic Psychology3Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.1319Occupational Courses:COLL1010College and Career Success Skills3This course is designed to assist the learner to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic, personal, and professional success and to improve student retention. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Skills, Time and Personal Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Study and Test Taking Skills, Communication Skills, Career Planning and Goal Setting, Computer Application/Technology Skills, and Employability/Professional Skills.13802CRJU1010Intro to Criminal Justice3Introduces the development and organization of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include: the American criminal justice system; constitutional limitations; organization of enforcement, adjudication, and corrections; and career opportunities and requirements.1845CRJU1030Corrections3Provides an analysis of all phases of the American correctional system and practices, including its history, procedures, and objectives. Topics include: history and evolution of correctional facilities; legal and administrative problems; institutional facilities and procedures; probation, parole, and prerelease programs; alternative sentencing; rehabilitation; community involvement; and staffing.1847CRJU1040Principles of Law Enforcement3This course examines the principles of the organization, administration, and duties of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Topics include: history and philosophy of law enforcement, evaluation of administrative practices, problems in American law enforcement agencies, emerging concepts, professionalism, and community crime prevention programs.1848CRJU1068Criminal Law-Criminal Justice3This course introduces criminal law in the United States, but emphasizes the current specific status of Georgia criminal law. The course will focus on the most current statutory contents of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) with primary emphasis on the criminal and traffic codes. Topics include: historic development of criminal law in the United States; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 40 - Motor Vehicle and Traffic Offenses; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to criminal law. 1857CRJU1400Ethics/Cultural Persp-Crim Jus3This course provides an exploration ethics and cultural perspectives in criminal justice. In presenting ethics, both the individual perspective and the organizational standpoint will be examined. Four areas of ethical decision making opportunities are studied including: law enforcement ethics; correctional ethics; legal profession ethics; and policymaking ethics.
The presentation of cultural perspectives is designed to aid law enforcement officers to better understand and communicate with members of other cultures with whom they come in contact in the line of duty. Topics include: defining and applying terms related to intercultural attitudes, role-play activities related to intercultural understanding, developing interpersonal/intercultural communication competence, and development of personal intercultural growth plan.1861CRJU2050Criminal Procedure3Introduces the substantive law of major crimes against persons and property. Attention is given to observation of courtroom trials. Topics include: laws of arrest and search and seizure; procedures governing arrest, trial, and administration of criminal sanctions; rules of evidence; general court procedures; rights and duties of officers and citizens; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to Law Enforcement/Overview of Constitutional Law.1863CRJU2020Constitutional Law-Crim Just3This course emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights which pertain to criminal justice. Topics include: characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; principles governing the operation of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.1862CRJU2070Juvenile Justice3Analyzes the nature, extent, and causes of juvenile delinquency, and examines processes in the field of juvenile justice. Topics include: survey of juvenile law, comparative analysis of adult and juvenile justice systems, and prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency.1865Practicum or Internship: Select one of the following two coursesCRJU2090Criminal Justice Practicum3Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue a professional research project supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.1866CRJU2100Criminal Justice Externship3Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue an externship in a related agency supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.1867Occupational Electives (select a minimum of 9 hrs.)CRJU1021Private Security3Provides an orientation to the development, philosophy, responsibility, and function of the private security industry. A historical and philosophical perspective of private security will help students better understand the present stage of private security, its principles, its legal authority and its effect on society in general. Topics include: private security: an overview; basic security goals and responsibilities; when prevention fails; and security systems at work: putting it all together.1846CRJU1043Probation and Parole3This course will cover the history of both juvenile and adult probation as well as the history of parole. The probation and parole systems will be covered generally with a special emphasis on the Georgia systems and related laws. Topics include: history and philosophy of probation and parole; function of the probation and parole systems; Georgia law related to probation and parole; characteristics and roles of probation and parole officers; and special issues and programs of probation and parole.1849CRJU1050Police Patrol Operations3This course presents the knowledge and skills associated with police patrol operations. Emphasis is placed on patrol techniques, crimes in progress, crisis intervention, domestic disputes, Georgia Crime Information Center procedures, electronics communications and police reports. Topics include: foundations, policing skills and communication skills1850CRJU1052Criminal Justice Admin3This course explores the managerial aspects of effective and efficient police administration. Emphasis is directed towards increasing organizational skills and overcoming interdepartmental and inter-agency non-communication. Topics include: environmental management, human resources, and organizational concerns.1851CRJU1054Police Officer Survival3This course examines the critical issues involved in the survival of a police officer in all aspects including their physical, mental, and psychological wellbeing. Emphasis is placed on personal protection skills, defensive tactics, handcuffing techniques, patrol tactics, vehicle stops, building searches and use of force.1852CRJU1056Police Traffic Control/Invest3This course examines enforcement of traffic laws and procedures for traffic accident investigation. Emphasis is placed on Georgia traffic laws, traffic law enforcement, recognition of impaired driving, and traffic accident investigation. Topics include: regulations, impaired driving, and traffic accident investigation.1853CRJU1062Methods-Criminal Investigation3This course presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation. The duties and responsibilities of the investigator both in field and in the courtroom are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on techniques commonly utilized by investigative personnel as well as the procedures used for investigating various crimes.1854CRJU1063Crime Scene Processing3This course presents students with practical exercises dealing with investigating crime scenes and gathering various forms of physical evidence. Emphasis is placed on crime scene assessment, search, fingerprinting, and evidence collection. Topics include: crime scene management, evidence characteristics, identification, documentation and collection as well as techniques for developing and lifting latent
fingerprints.1855CRJU1065Community-Oriented Policing3Presents the fundamentals for the community-oriented policing philosophy, including the comparison of traditional and community policing philosophies; law enforcement and community relationships; importance of political and public support and involvement; attitudinal changes involving the roles of police management, supervisors and line personnel; creation of partnerships with community organizations, businesses, private security, other governmental agencies, and special interest groups; and police problem-solving methodologies. Topics include: foundations of community-oriented policing, partnerships and problem-solving in community-oriented policing, and community-oriented policing projects and programs.1856CRJU1072Intro to Forensic Science3The origin, history and role of forensic science in the investigative process. Philosophical, rational and practical framework that supports a case investigation will be outlined. The unifying principles of forensic science, the rooting of forensic science in the pure sciences, and the unique ways in which a forensic scientist must think will also be discussed. The special areas of forensic science will be explored.1858CRJU1074Applic-Introductory Forensics3This course complements CRJU 1072: Introduction to Forensics, focusing particularly on the practical application of forensic science in law enforcement including the following: crime scene investigation; interview and interrogation techniques; as well as case preparation and courtroom testimony.1859CRJU1075Report Writing3Explains and demonstrates the effectiveness of the entire criminal investigation process by the quality of notes reports, and accurate documentation. An examination of what goes into the preparation, content, elements, mechanics, and format of documenting the criminal investigation process. Topics include: Field notes, initial information, observations, evidence, victims, witnesses, property, neighborhood canvass, crime scene, laboratory analysis and results, investigative follow-up, suspect statements, and the characteristics essential to quality
report writing.1860CRJU2060Criminology3Introduces the nature, extent, and factors related to criminal behavior, and the etiology of criminal offenses and offenders. Topics include: sociological, psychological, and biological causes of crime; effectiveness of theories in explaining crime; theory integration; and application of theory to selected issues.1864CRJU2110Homeland Security3The course provides an introduction to the principles of homeland security, roles and responsibilities of
constituencies and implications for criminal justice fields. Topics include: intelligence and warning, border and
transportation security, domestic counterterrorism, protecting critical infrastructure, defending against catastrophic
threats, and emergency preparedness and response.1868CRJU2201Criminal Courts3This course examines the historical context on the development, functions, and controversies in the courts system. Topics include: introduction to the courts; participants of a trial; courtroom processes; and the post conviction process.1869LETA1010Health & Life Safety for BLE2Introduces students of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy to emergency care or first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, universal precautions, interpersonal communications, as well as concepts related to mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse. This course is limited to students enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit.1882LETA1012Ethics and Liability for BLE2This course for students of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy examines the ethical issues and areas of liability confronted by law enforcement personnel. Included in this course are the following topics: ethics and professionalism, peace officer liability. This course is limited to students enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit.1883LETA1014Firearms Training for BLE4This course provides the student of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy with an understanding of terminology, legal requirements, liability, safety considerations, tactics, procedures, firearms nomenclature, fundamentals of marksmanship, fundamental simulation in the use of deadly force and the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in marksmanship. This course is limited to students enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit.1884LETA1016Emerg Veh Operations for BLE4This course provides the student of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy with an understanding of appropriate driving actions, terminology, local responsibility, specific statutes, and safety considerations as well as demonstrate proficiency in the operation of an emergency vehicle. This course is limited to students enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit.1885LETA1018Defensive Tactics for BLE2This course provides students of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy with an understanding of terminology, human anatomy, legal requirements, liability, safety, tactics, and demonstrate proper procedures for specific techniques to search, control and restrain a person. This course is limited to students enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit.1886LETA1020Police Patrol Operations-BLE4This course presents the knowledge and skills associated with police patrol operations. Emphasis is placed on patrol techniques, crimes in
progress, crisis intervention, domestic disputes, Georgia Crime Information Center procedures, electronics communications and police reports. Topics include: foundations, policing skills and communication skills. This course is limited to students enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit.1887FOSC1206Intro to Forensic Science3This introductory course will provide a broad overview of the areas in forensic science covered in higher level courses. Topics include the recognition, identification, individualization and evaluation of various types of physical evidence, forensic science and the law, and ethics in forensic science. The relationship of forensic science to the natural sciences and the use of the scientific method in forensic science will also be explored.1870FOSC2010Crime Scene Investigation I4A study of the methods and techniques of scientific crime scene investigation and analysis using principles from biology, chemistry, and physics to document, recognize, preserve and collect p hysical evidence. Topics covered include video recording, photography, sketching, and searching of crime scenes along with proper collection and preservation methods.1871FOSC2011Crime Scene Investigation II4Designed to follow Crime Scene Investigation I, this course focuses on the specialized scene techniques needed to investigate, analyze, process and reconstruct crime scenes. Topics will include presumptive testing, enhancement reagents, special scene techniques, bloodstain pattern analysis, shooting reconstruction, pattern recognition and crime scene reconstruction.1872FOSC2012Forensic Trace Evidence4Trace evidence is often divided into two categories; chemistry and microscopy. This course is an introductory course in trace evidence to include the sub disciplines of hairs, fibers, arson, gunshot residue, explosives, paint, fracture match and fabric impression examinations and comparisons using microscopic and instrumental techniques. This course will also give the student who is interested in laboratory or CSI work practical experience in the area of trace evidence and how it relates to forensic science.1873FOSC2014Documentation/Report Prep4The effectiveness of quality notes, reports and accurate documentation in the investigative process are explained and performed. Preparation of a report, chain of custody documents and other forms with proper content, mechanics, elements and format will also be explained and performed. Topics include field or bench notes, documentation of observations, factual report writing, property and evidence reports, business letters, memorandums, proper grammar, proper sentence structure and characteristics essential to quality report writing and document preparation.1874FOSC2033Death Investigation3This course examines the fundamentals of a medicolegal death investigation, the operation of death investigation system and the role of the death investigator. Procedures required to assist the medical examiner/ coroner in determining the deceased persons cause and manner of death are discussed. Additional topics include autopsy technique, sudden and unexpected death, natural death, specific wound and injury characteristics, and child death.1875FOSC2035Forensic Photography4the basic principles of photography generation and manipulation. Students will learn the basic camera operations including shutter speed, aperture, and lighting. Topics will include macro and micro photography, depth of field, digital cameras, and scene photography. Emphasis will be placed on the application of basic camera techniques to forensic science photography.1876FOSC2037Victimology3majority of criminological research and discussion has been focused on the offender rather than the victim. This course provides an overview of the principles and concepts of victimology, an analysis of victimization patterns and trends, and the role of victimology in the justice system. In addition the repercussions of victimization, victim reporting patterns and remedies available for victims are also explored.1877FOSC2039Computer Forensics5The main goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of computer forensics and investigation tools and techniques. Students will gain a solid foundation in computer forensics and investigations. Most of the major personal computer operating system architectures and disk structures will be discussed. Students will learn how to set up an investigators office and laboratory, as well as what computer forensic hardware and software tools are available. Students will also learn the importance of digital evidence controls and how to
process crime and incident scenes. Finally, students will learn the details of data acquisition, computer forensic analysis, e-mail investigations, image file recovery, investigative report writing, and expert witness requirements. The course provides a range of laboratory and hands-on assignments that teaches about theory as well as the practical application of computer forensic investigation.1878FOSC2040Forensic Firearms/Toolmark ID4The course is an introduction to firearms, ammunition and ammunition components, microscopic comparison of questioned bullets, cartridge
cases and toolmarks, distance determination, gunpowder and shotgun pattern analysis, serial number restoration, lock picking techniques, the examination of security devices such as padlocks and safes and the examination of firearm related injuries.1879FOSC2041Latent Print Examination4This course explains the history, biology, and basic principles of friction ridge analysis. Properly recording, processing, documenting, collecting, and preserving latent print evidence will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the analysis, comparison, and evaluation of latent prints. Various lab exercises will also be conducted to demonstrate processing methods used in latent print examination.1880FOSC2150Care Preparation and Courtroom4Examines the case file preparation, admissibility of evidence rulings, the criminal trial process, courtroom demeanor, and direct and cross examination techniques for courtroom testimony. Skills are performed in a mock courtroom setting by the students. Topics include fact and expert witnesses, pertinent case law, property and evidence reports, investigative and laboratory reports, preparation of the witness, witness credibility and proper courtroom appearance and demeanor.1881Minimum Length of Program: 5 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 48