Criminal Justice and Corrections
As a student in Ivy Bridge’s Associate of Criminal Justice in Corrections program you’ll receive a general college education with a strong emphasis in juvenile justice, criminal law, correctional communities, probation, and parole. You’ll take courses in the Knowledge Skills Core such as English composition and mathematics as well as specialized sophomore-level courses in criminal justice and corrections. Your courses will cover topics such as agency management, juvenile justice systems, and correctional thought and practice that will give you the academic background you need to pursue a variety of criminal justice and corrections positions and career paths.
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Explore the program:
Core Classes
Major Requirements
Curriculum Map
Possible Career Paths
Knowledge Skills Core
As a student in the Associate of Criminal Justice and Corrections program you’ll take courses in the knowledge skills and liberal education core. This collection of 24 credit-hours includes courses in oral communication, writing composition, mathematics, computer information systems, politics, and psychology that provide the academic foundation you need to be successful in any career or academic program.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| COM 241 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| CIS 101 or 111 | Foundations of Information Technology and PC Applications or Intro to Systems and Applications | 3 |
| ENG 141 | Expository and Research Writing | 3 |
| ENG 142 | Introduction to Literature and Criticism | 3 |
| MAT 173 or Above | College Mathematics 173 (or above) | 3 |
| POL 101 | Introduction to American Political Processes | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Open Elective From: | ECO, MGT, POL, PSY, SOC | 3 |
COM 241 - Introduction to Mass Communication
(3 hours)
A survey course examining the various media (i.e., newspaper, radio, television, film, etc.) comprising the mass media in contemporary American society. Emphasis is given to the history, structure, and potential effects of each medium.
CIS 101 - Foundations of Information Technology and PC Applications (3 hours)
This course is a survey of fundamental functions of a computer, Internet, file management, and an introduction to the Microsoft Office Suite. This course does not count for credit toward graduation..
CIS 111 - Information System & Applications (3 hours)
This course is designed for students who have used MS Word regularly and have an understanding of MS Windows. Topics covered include responsible use of information technology; hardware concepts; the use, development, and maintenance of spreadsheets (Excel); the creation of electronic presentations (PowerPoint); and an introduction to databases (Access). This is a hands-on skills and a conceptual course. Participants will be required to demonstrate software proficiency in the lab, as well as, through objective written tests.
ENG 141 - Expository and Research Writing (3 hours)
This is a course in written communication. Emphasis is placed on development, structure, and writing of abstracts, summaries, and critiques. Literary devices such as pro/con, cause/effect, comparison/contrast, persuasion/argumentation essays and research/synthesis skills are used through a research paper.
ENG 142 - Introduction to Literature and Criticism (w) (3 hours)
This course presents drama, short stories, novel, poetry and critical essays from literary critical perspectives. Through reading, discussion, and critical writing, students become familiar with representative genres in literature as well as authentic critical approaches. This is a writing intensive course.
Prerequisite: ENG 141 or concurrent
MAT 174 - Finite Mathematics (3 hours)
This course applies mathematical techniques to solve real-world problems and involves the study of topics including linear models, systems of equations, financial math, logic, probability, and statistics.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 (“C” or better) or placement
POL 101 - Introduction to the American Political Process (3 hours)
A survey course that covers the American democratic process and the distribution of authority and responsibility between the federal, state, and local levels.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
Introduction to psychology as a behavioral science, including historical background, human development (genetic and physical) from birth through death, the senses and perception, intelligence and creativity, and the principles of conditioning, learning, memory, and forgetting.
Major Requirements
As a student in the Associate of Criminal Justice in Corrections program you’ll take specialized courses in the criminal justice and law enforcement field.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| JUS 110 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| JUS 201 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| JUS 202 | Criminal Procedures | 3 |
| COR 120 | Correctional Thought and Practice | 3 |
| COR 222 | Probation, Parole, and Community Policing | 3 |
| COR 231 | Juvenile Justice Systems | 3 |
| COR 236 | Correctional Legal Issues | 3 |
| FOR 105 | Victimology | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Two Electives From: | Two courses at the 100/200 level | 6 |
JUS 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours)
A survey of the Criminal Justice System and of its major subsystems: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Emphasis will be not only on structure and functions of the various components, but also their interactions. The course will also introduce the student to the basics of criminal justice research through the use of the collection of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service and other professional sources of information.
JUS 201 - Criminal Law (3 hours)
An analysis of criminal laws from their development under common law to their present day applicability under constitutional and statutory standards with special emphasis on practice with the Ohio Revised Code.
Prerequisite: JUS 110
JUS 202 - Criminal Procedures (3 hours)
An understanding of the constitutional and other legal ramifications affecting the procedure of criminal arrest, search, seizure, and evidence.
Prerequisite: JUS 201
COR 120 - Correctional Thought and Practice (3 hours)
An in-depth analysis of correctional alternatives available for the treatment of the offender. Emphasis will focus on the traditional correctional facilities as well as probation, parole, and community corrections alternatives.
Prerequisite: JUS 201
COR 222 - Community Corrections (3 hours)
Comprehensive look at the probation and parole process for both juvenile and adult offenders. Discussion of offender needs and risks, a variety of supervision programs, inmate re-entry issues and solutions, theories of crime and rehabilitation.
Prerequisite: COR 120
COR 231 - Juvenile Justice Systems (3 hours)
The history, concepts, and scope of the juvenile justice system and its contrast with the adult system of justice. Includes an analysis of the juvenile justice process from initial intervention of delinquency and status offenses by law enforcement personnel and others through release from intervention.
Prerequisite: COR 120
COR 236 - Correctional Legal Issues (3 hours)
An introductory tier approach to the study of legal issues that affect the correctional field. Concentration will be on institutional due process, Religion, and legal services.
Prerequisite: JUS 202
FOR 105 - Victimology (3 hours)
This course focuses on the victims rather than the offenders; why they have been recently rediscovered, why they often do not report crimes to police; how some victims might share responsibility for the crimes with the offenders; how they can be repaid for their losses through offender restitution and government compensation; and what new services are available to help victims prevent crimes and resist attacks. The social and emotional responses of victims to crime are examined.
Prerequisite: JUS 110
SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology (3 hours)
Introduction to the basic concepts of sociological study, elements of social life, social patterns and institutions, and the process of maintenance and change in society.
Corrections Curriculum Map
The Associate of Criminal Justice in Corrections curriculum map gives you an overview of the academic path we recommend most students in the criminal justice and corrections program follow. As an Ivy Bridge student, you’ll use the curriculum map to guide your conversations with your success coach and academic advisors as you set up an academic schedule that works for you. Download a PDF of the curriculum map now>
Criminal Justice and Corrections Possible Career Paths
The corrections field covers a variety of careers in the facilities and agencies responsible for the incarceration, parole, and probation of people convicted of crimes. Corrections professionals can choose to focus on several areas including the counseling and rehabilitation of offenders, community corrections, or juvenile detention. Those working in corrections face many challenges but have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those they oversee.
Correctional Officers at Local, State, or Federal Correction Facilities
Corrections professionals working in local, state, or federal facilities are responsible for enforcing rules and providing security for inmates or those who have been arrested for a crime and are awaiting trial. General duties involve the supervision, custody, treatment, and training of inmates and are often performed under the supervision of higher ranking staff and are aligned with strict operational procedures.
Job functions may include diffusing disruptive behavior, using communication and listening skills to determine potential inmate problems such as suicide risk or drug usage, supervising recreational activity, searching inmates and inmate cells or living quarters, preparing inmates for transportation, understanding policies and procedures, writing reports describing incidents or observations about inmate behavior, and more.
Bailiffs, Marshals, or Court Officers
Many law enforcement officers work in the courtroom and maintain safety, order, and security during court room proceedings. Depending on the exact position, responsibilities will vary but many court officers help transport offenders to and from court, protect witnesses, and ensure that trials go smoothly.
Job functions may include maintaining order during trial, guarding and transporting jurors and witnesses, announcing the entrance of the judge, screen or search people who wish to enter court building for weapons or other items that could be harmful to others, patrol assigned areas and make periodic security checks, effectively control emergency situations by calling for the appropriate medical or law enforcement assistance, and more.
Parole, Probation, and Rehabilitation Officers
Parole officers may work inside our outside of a correctional facility and are responsible for supervising offenders who are eligible for release. Those who work within a facility often prepare inmates for release while those who work in the field work with parolees after their return to the community.
Job functions may include preparing reports for parole boards, assessing inmates’ lives and relationships to determine and how they will affect rehabilitation, visiting clients and evaluating progress, manage and update case files, schedule drug tests and searches, connecting offenders to education services and vocational training, and more.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s criminal justice and corrections program:
Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.