Criminal Justice Specialist, TCC (CJ21) (430104) Technical Certificate of Credit

Campus Locations: Moultrie (Veterans Parkway), Thomasville, Tifton, Online, Bainbridge

The Criminal Justice Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit 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. Upon completion of this technical certificate of credit may permit students to pursue entry level opportunities in the criminal justice field. Completion of the Criminal Justice Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit 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 Dates: Beginning of each semester.

Entrance Requirements: Refer to Admissions criteria. Click for Entrance Score Requirements.

Age: N/A

Education: A high scjool diploma or equivalent (GED) is not required for application or admission, but is required for graduation.

Note: Students who intend to become certified as a Criminal Justice Practitioner should understand that according to the Georgia Peace Officer and Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) Council, each applicant "shall not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in the federal or state prison or institution nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law, provided that, for purposes of this paragraph, violations of traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles when the applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered." This means that the Council will require a thorough Criminal and Traffic History be completed to include but not limited to: a Certified Driver’s History, a Georgia Crime Information Center, and a National Crime Information Center printout.

The P.O.S.T. Council has other requirements for certification. See program advisor for this additional information.

Program Final Exit Point: Criminal Justice Specialist, Technical Certificate of Credit.

Credits Required for Graduation: 15 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.

Students with Basic Peace Officer certification and/or Basic Correctional Officer certification may be eligible for prior learning credits, This will be addressed on an individual basis if requested by the student. Refer to the Advanced Placement Credit section of the Handbook.

Books: $596.70
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,200.00
Total: $2,097.70

Books: $143.70
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $300.00
Total: $744.70

Curriculum Outline (15 hours)

1: Occupational Courses (15 hours)	15
CRJU 1010Introduction to Criminal Justice Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces 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.	3
CRJU 1030Corrections Pre-requisites: Program Admission Provides 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.	3
CRJU 1040Principles of Law Enforcement Pre-requisites: Program Admission This 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.	3
CRJU 1068Criminal Law for Criminal Justice Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission This 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.	3
CRJU 2020Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission This 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.	3