Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

Associate of Applied Science Degrees

• Corrections
• Law Enforcement

Associate of Criminal Justice Degree

The Corrections and Law Enforcement programs provide classroom instruction leading to an associate of applied science degree in the fields of corrections or law enforcement. These programs provide courses to prepare for entry-level careers in agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as private agencies. Some of the career areas available to graduates are law enforcement, private security and related services, adult and juvenile corrections, probation and parole, law, and others.

Those currently working as career officers in corrections and law enforcement can also benefit from the program, which can provide them with a better understanding of their roles in the criminal justice system while helping them prepare for higher level positions within their organizations.

Required Skills and Abilities

Physical Abilities

This program requires that the student be able to—

• lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
• assume a variety of postural positions and be capable of physical maneuvers ranging from crawling, kneeling, squatting, twisting, turning, and bending, to climbing stairs and ladders
• withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture.

Technology Competencies

In an effort to assist students with adequate preparation for their coursework at DACC, technology competencies have been identified and established. These competencies are in effect for all courses taken in the Corrections, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice programs. Students must possess the following minimum competencies. Additional competencies may be required for particular courses/programs:

• Access course and program material on the Web using Mozilla Firefox and/or MS Internet Explorer
• Correspond with DACC students and faculty using e-mail and the Web
• Read/print e-mail and attachments/files from students and faculty
• Complete, send, and receive assignments using e-mail and attachments/files
• Use the DACC Library e-books, e-journals, databases, or credible World Wide Web resources for research and completion of course assignments
• Prepare and conduct presentations in the classroom using presentation equipment as required.
• Use the appropriate software for a given course (DACC uses as standards Microsoft products, including MS Word, MS Project, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint)
• Use CD-ROMs when required as part of course assignments
• Use an appropriate anti-virus application to insure the files transmitted and received are virus free
• Use recommended plagiarism review software to insure work is not plagiarized

Private Security Background Checks for Corrections and Law Enforcement Majors

Every student focusing on the related career fields of fire, law enforcement, Homeland Security, private security, corrections, parole or probation will at some point be subject to a background and criminal history check.

A background check requires that a student complete a multi-part background questionnaire identifying most of the following:

• All names and aliases used; marriages and divorces
• Previous home and work addresses, names of employers, teachers, and schools, including dates of work and attendance and or transcripts
• Medical history including any mental health or drug use
• Credit history
• Criminal history to include arrests, traffic and infraction tickets (Juvenile arrest histories may not be shielded from background checks even if the juvenile record has been sealed.)
• Military service record
• Driving record, suspensions, tickets and possession of a current driver’s license
• Citizenship and/or immigration status to include birth certificate and valid social security number
• And any other background informational requirements unique to each agency
• Current and past Internet social networking information, profiles, postings, e-mail addresses, and cyber-vetting

NOTE: The following categories will eliminate a person from access to internships, training academies, off-site law enforcement related work-study opportunities, and most criminal justice related jobs:

• Arrest for domestic violence, DUI/DWI, drug use and possession, felony crimes, and misdemeanor crimes (agency dependent)
• Mental impairment based on mental illness and/or drug-alcohol abuse
• False statements on an application or background check
• Social networking or Internet postings deemed inappropriate or damaging to a candidate’s reputation or reputation of potential hiring entities; also, any postings, images, etc., demonstrating a lack of moral turpitude
• Violations of laws involving moral turpitude
• Bad credit
• Objectionable visible body art, body modifications or piercings (tattoos on the neck may also disqualify if visible while participating/working)
• Failure to pass any job-related testing process, including, but not limited to, the following: written examination, oral interview board, physical fitness exam, background check, polygraph examination, psychological examination, medical examination

Degrees 

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Corrections

The associate of applied science degree in corrections emphasizes the correctional aspect of the criminal justice systems and offers a broad understanding of correctional institutions and alternatives. General studies are offered to students seeking employment in confinement facilities, institutional security, and other similar programs. The student also is prepared to work in adult and juvenile correctional agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Workers in the corrections field 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. The majority of officers are employed by local, county, state, and federal institutions.

While the primary mission of corrections is protection of the public, many officers are involved in the treatment, education, and reintegration of offenders. These officers may find employment as wardens, jail administrators, program coordinators and counselors, public information officers, correctional trainers, case managers, probation/parole officers, corrections officers, detention officers or other related careers.

NOTE: An articulation agreement exists with the New Mexico Corrections Department that makes it possible to receive college credit for experience and/or training.

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement

The associate of applied science degree in law enforcement emphasizes the law enforcement aspect of the criminal justice system. This degree offers the law enforcement student a general understanding of the police officer’s multifaceted role in the United States. It also prepares the student with the basic foundations of police work for possible employment opportunities with local, state and federal governments, and private industry.

Most law enforcement officers are employed by the security industry and local, county, and state governments. They have duties that range from providing security to controlling traffic to preventing and investigating crimes. They maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, issue traffic summonses, investigate accidents, present evidence in court, serve legal documents for the court system, and apprehend, arrest and process prisoners. Career opportunities include positions as private investigators, security officers, loss-prevention officers, police officers, sheriff and deputy officers, criminal investigators, game wardens, private detectives, and bailiffs.

Many law enforcement agencies encourage the applicants to take post-secondary school training in law enforcement-related subjects. Many entry-level applicants for police jobs have completed some formal post-secondary education and a significant number are college graduates. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset in many federal agencies and urban departments.

Additional information on professional requirements and qualifications may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, at www.bls.gov.

NOTE: An articulation agreement exists with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety that makes it possible to receive college credit for experience and/or training.

The Associate Degree in Criminal Justice

The associate of criminal justice introduces students to three facets of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Broadly interdisciplinary—embracing the study of law, the humanities, and the natural, behavioral, and social sciences—the curriculum prepares students to transfer into the NMSU bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice, or the bachelor of applied studies, at the junior level.

Corrections - Associate of Applied Science

Criminal Justice - Associate of Criminal Justice

Law Enforcement - Associate of Applied Science

Public Safety First Line Supervisor - Certificate of Achievement