Administration of Justice

 

Students may earn a Certificate of Achievement with an emphasis in either Law Enforcement or Supervision. The program provides a foundation for students intending to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, supervision and administration, probation and parole, private security, and law.

 

 

IVC's program is accredited by the California State Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and has earned a reputation as a community-policing program that fosters the skills and attributes necessary for successful tenure in the agencies of the criminal justice system.

 

 

  AJ Certificate Program Guide

 

Description: The Administration of Justice department offers a wide range of courses that will enable students to find employment in various agencies of the administration of justice system. The curriculum is designed to acquaint pre-service and in-service students with the principles and practices of criminal justice in America. Involvement in courses offered each semester will provide a sound foundation for students intending to pursue careers or further study in law enforcement, corrections, supervision and administration, parole and court duties, private security, and pre-law programs. The department offers both a law enforcement and a supervision emphasis for those seeking the certificate or degree. The law enforcement emphasis is intended for those who are new to the field of law enforcement while the supervision emphasis is for those who have a background in the field and are interested in career advancement.

 

 

 

Prequisites/Preparation: It is recommended for those interested in the law enforcement emphasis to take the introductory courses first to help determine if this field is appropriate for you. For those also interested in general education courses, sociology, psychology, interpersonal communication, public speaking, and CSTU 150, Helping Relationships, are courses relevant to working in law enforcement. In regards to preparation for the hiring process for police officers, interested candidates should prepare by taking inventory of their personal history such as taking steps to improve one’s credit record or to seek psychological counseling if necessary. Areas of one’s personal history researched in the hiring process include arrest record, credit history, driving record, as well as evaluations of personality traits, physical & medical condition, and psychological status including a polygraph test.

 

 

 

Preparation for Career Related Exams/Certification: The courses offered serve to strengthen potential law enforcement candidates’ qualities and abilities that allow them to successfully complete the hiring process. This process includes the
aforementioned evaluations in addition to written exams and oral interviews.

 

 

 

Affiliation with Professional/Community Organizations: The Irvine Valley College Administration of Justice program is accredited by the California State Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T). It has earned a reputation as a community policing program that fosters the skills and attributes necessary for successful tenure in the various agencies of the criminal justice system. The program’s students have earned top honors at both the national and regional conferences of the American Criminal Justice Association. The association has also recognized the IVC program as one of the top criminal justice programs in the nation.

 

 

 

Associate of Science Degree: A student may earn an A.S. degree in Administration of Justice with an emphasis in either Law Enforcement or Supervision from IVC if in addition to certificate requirements, he/she also meets general education requirements posted in the IVC catalog, class schedule, or www.ivc.edu. See a counselor for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*see counselor or transfer center for specific transfer requirements

 

Scholarships/Financial Aid:  Students may contact the IVC Financial Aid office for more information and additional opportunities.

 

 

 

Work Experience/Internships: Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) may be taken in addition to requirements for the certificate program. CWE allows students to gain on-the-job experience while earning college credit. A student may earn one unit of credit for every 75 hours of paid or 60 hours of volunteer employment. Students are responsible for securing employment for CWE. In addition, students may inquire about job openings in accounting through our Job Placement Office. Students are encouraged to get experience in the criminal justice field by interning, volunteering, or becoming a reserve officer at their local police department. Organizing a Neighborhood Watch group is another way to get experience and work closely with experienced law enforcement personnel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job Description:
Uniformed police officers who work in municipal police departments of various sizes, small communities, and rural areas have general law enforcement duties including maintaining regular patrols and responding to calls for service. They may direct traffic at the scene of a fire, investigate a burglary, or give first aid to an accident victim. In large police departments, officers are usually assigned to a specific type of duty. Most urban police agencies utilize community policing – a practice in which an officer builds relationships with the citizens of local neighborhoods and mobilizes the public to help fight crime.

 

Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory or penitentiary. They maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, or escapes. Officers have no law enforcement responsibilities outside the institution where they work.

Security guards/officers patrol and inspect property to protect against fire, theft, vandalism, and illegal activity. These workers protect their employer’s investment, enforce laws on the property, and deter criminal activity or other problems. They use radio and telephone communications to call for assistance from an ambulance, wrecker, or the police or fire departments as the situation dictates. Security guards write comprehensive reports outlining their observations and activities during their assigned shift. They may also interview witnesses or victims, prepare case reports, and testify in court.

Probation and Parole officers supervise convicted offenders when they are released back into the community; including counseling and creating rehabilitation plans for offenders and following up to ensure offenders abide by their conditions of release and rehabilitation plans.

 

Employment Opportunities: The need for criminal justice candidates has increased throughout the United States at all levels of government. Both Orange County and Los Angeles County criminal justice agencies have continuously recruited students from Irvine Valley College. Employment opportunities exist in both patrol and detective divisions. Recently, the California Department of Corrections has begun to recruit Irvine Valley College students for correctional positions as well as probation and parole positions. Private security agencies have participated in the recruitment of Irvine Valley College students as well. Students may also apply for work at municipal police departments if they are at least 20 1/2 years of age and a U.S. citizen. Other opportunities may exist at the county level in the area of social services working in social work, child abuse investigation, or welfare investigation.

 

Occupational Outlook for Orange County, CA: Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 11 percent over the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. A more security-conscious society and population growth will contribute to the increasing demand for police services. Correctional officer positions will increase by 16%, and security guard positions will increase by 17%.  (Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/oco)

 

 (Source: California Occupational Guides, www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov

Job related skills emphasized in coursework: Ethics, laws defined, community policing, court system, trial procedures, investigation, evidence, conviction, field operations, juvenile law, corrections, justice systems, report writing, and more.

 

Professional Organization/Websites/Publications in the Field:

 

Club on Campus: Chi Tau Epsilon, or XTE, is the Irvine Valley College Chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon. ACJA-LAE is a national organization made up of both collegiate and professional in-service subchapters. See www.ivc.edu/xte for more information including activities and dues.

IVC Contacts:

AOJ Certificates – Program Questions:
Colin McCaughey, AOJ Program Coordinator and XTE Club Advisor
Social and Behavioral Sciences
949.451.5402
cmccaughey@ivc.edu

Certificates - General Questions: 

 

For more information, see the Administration of Justice web page (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).