Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement
Today’s law enforcement professionals help their communities by upholding the law and protecting the life and property of those they serve. This dynamic field encompasses a variety of occupations such as uniformed police officers; investigators; and support positions such as technicians, examiners, and analysts that have the opportunity to make a real difference in their jurisdiction.
As a student in Ivy Bridge’s Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement program you’ll receive a general college education with a strong emphasis in criminal investigation and procedures. That means 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 law enforcement. Your courses will cover topics such as police and society, agency management, criminal law and procedures, and justice systems that will give you the academic background you need to pursue a variety of criminal justice and law enforcement positions and career paths.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s law enforcement degree program: Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.
Explore the program:
Core Classes
Major Requirements
Curriculum Map
Possible Career Paths
Knowledge Skills Core
As a student in the Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement program you’ll take courses in the Knowledge Skills and Liberal Education core. This collection of 25 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 Law Enforcement 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 231 | Juvenile Justice Systems | 3 |
| ENF 150 | Police and Society | 3 |
| ENF 239 | Applied Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics | 3 |
| FOR 105 | Victimology | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| One Elective From: | COM, ECO, MGT, POL, PSY, SOC at the 100/200 level | 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 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
ENF 150 - Police and Society (3 hours)
A study of the various response methodologies available to the patrol officer in assisting the citizen’s request for police service. Discusses traffic enforcement from the stop of the violator through traffic accident investigation.
Prerequisite: JUS 110
ENF 234 - Computers in Law Enforcement (3 hours)
The course is a survey of the use and potential of computers in law enforcement agencies. The ethical and legal problems confronting society and police agencies occasioned by the use of computers as information gathering and storage instruments are examined, as well as the advantage of using computers in research and agency operations. Students will know how to use computers for link network analysis, crime mapping, traffic analysis and accident plotting, crime analysis and other functions relating to the administration/ operation of a law enforcement agency.
Prerequisite: CIS 101/105
ENF 234 - Applied Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics (3 hours)
Emphasis on the investigation of specific crimes including, but not limited to, Homicide, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Burglary, Theft, Auto Theft and Arson. Students will be required to investigate a “mock” crime scene, collect and analyze evidence obtained and present their investigation in a “moot” court.
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.
Law Enforcement Curriculum Map
The Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement curriculum map gives you an overview of the academic path we recommend most students in the criminal justice and law enforcement 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>
Possible Career Paths in Law Enforcement
The law enforcement field covers a variety of rewarding career options that allow you to help others while serving your community. Those working in law enforcement face many challenges but have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
Uniformed Officers
Police officers conduct day-to-day law enforcement activities that maintain law and order, prevent crime, and protect the people and property in the communities they serve. Police officers work closely with other public agencies and people including social workers, community planners, community groups, and local businesses.
Job functions may include meeting with community groups, providing a visible presence in the community to deter crime, responding to calls and requests from the public to reply to incidents of crime, acting with sensitivity when delivering news of death or when dealing with victims of a crime, interviewing suspects and witnesses to crimes, conducting arrests while respecting human rights, preparing crime reports and completing other administrative tasks, and more.
Detectives and Investigators
Police detectives and investigators are higher ranking than uniformed officers and often securing a position requires more experience. Most detective positions require applicants to spend a number of years on the force before applying. Detectives are responsible for putting together the story of how a crime occurred. This may include interviewing witnesses and suspects, working closely with crime scene investigators, analyzing evidence, testifying in court, and more. Detectives often specialize in select areas of crime such as homicide, financial and white collar crimes, or drug enforcement.
Fish, Game, and Wildlife Wardens
Fish and game wardens are responsible for upholding fish and wildlife laws while protecting the people, animals, and natural areas in which they serve. Wardens patrol natural areas and protect its resources. Duties include writing tickets and citations, issuing licenses, acting as the primary law enforcement official in rual areas, investigating crop and livestock damage, and educating the public about rules and regulations pertaining to conservation. Oftentimes, fish and game wardens will play a large role in education programs.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s criminal justice and law enforcement program:
Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.