Administration of Justice

Careers in Administration of Justice

Qualified job candidates are always in demand for jobs in private security, law enforcement and corrections.

Security officers should be physically and emotionally fit, able to use professional judgment, have good communications skills and enjoy working with the public.

Police and correctional officers need more extensive training in subjects such as criminal law, powers of arrest and search, firearms, sociology and public safety. They also should be physically and emotionally fit, with excellent analytical skills, and be able to pass rigorous background checks.

Employment Outlook: 2020-2030

• The number of jobs for police and sheriff's patrol officers are expected to increase by 6%, with more than 56,200 job openings during this 10-year period
• Jobs for security guards are expected to increase 12%

These ten-year projections for California employment are calculated by the state Employment Development Department, which collects data about the state's workforce and economic trends.

Administration of Justice at De Anza

De Anza offers certificate and degree programs to prepare you for employment in private security, corrections or law enforcement – or for transfer to a four-year university.

Individuals already working in the field can find opportunities for professional development through our crime lab program and an advanced certificate in cyber forensics and investigations. 

Administration of Justice

• Administration of Justice for Transfer - Associate in Science-TransferDetails for Associate in Science-Transfer - Administration of Justice for Transfer

  The Administration of Justice major consists of courses appropriate for the Associate in Science in Administration of Justice for Transfer degree, which provides a foundational understanding of the discipline, a breadth of coursework in the discipline and preparation for transfer to any CSU that accepts the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC). Potential careers students may enter upon completion of this program include law enforcement, probation, parole or security. The Associate in Science in Administration of Justice for Transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelorâ??s degree in Administration of Justice (or an approved similar major) at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept this degree will be required to complete no more than 60 (semester) units after transfer to earn a bachelorâ??s degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Community Service Officer - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Community Service Officer

  The Certificate of Achievement-Advanced in Community Service Officer sequence provides the foundational skills required to successfully gain non-sworn employment in this expanding field within local law enforcement. Community Service Officers (CSOs) assist police officers and perform public safety services to communities. The certificate curriculum provides students with a comprehensive overview of the federal and state criminal justice systems, criminal law, community-police relations, report writing, criminal investigation, victim/witness interviewing techniques, evidence collection and digital photography. CSO positions interact with all segments of society in a wide variety of public safety situations while performing, under general supervision, numerous field and office non-enforcement support assignments.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Corrections/Probation - Associate in ArtsDetails for Associate in Arts - Corrections/Probation

  The A.A. degree in Corrections/Probation provides the foundational education required for an individualâ??s career entry into the criminal justice field, specifically correctional operations and probation/parole case investigations. The courses range from concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigation and reporting to criminology, aspects of social change and corrections investigations.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Criminology - Transfer MapDetails for Transfer Map - Criminology

  A transfer map is a suggested schedule of courses to take each quarter, if you are planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject. These maps were created to help you get a solid footing in the subject and stay on track with courses commonly required by CSU or UC schools, but they do not guarantee your admission to any university. It’s important that you work with a counselor or academic adviser to determine exactly which classes you need to reach your particular goal.

  Transfer Map

• Cyber Forensics and Investigations - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Cyber Forensics and Investigations

  Cyber crime detection, investigations and network security skills are increasingly in demand by firms and government agencies that are engaged in the collection and evaluation of evidence. By completing the Cyber Forensics and Investigations Certificate of Achievement-Advance program, students will acquire skills to protect data and intellectual property, develop protective solutions, conduct network intrusion investigations and detect violations by criminal, destructive and terrorist perpetrators. This certificate program will meet the needs of students who are seeking employment within the criminal justice system outside of the traditional law enforcement careers. In addition, this specialized knowledge will provide professional law enforcement and private investigative personnel with specialized skills to facilitate career advancement.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Forensic Criminal Investigation Technician - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Forensic Criminal Investigation Technician

  The Certificate of Achievement-Advanced for Forensic Criminal Investigation Technician provides the foundational skills required to successfully gain advanced, specialized knowledge and skills for currently employed law enforcement officers and nonsworn personnel for positions within criminal justice agency crime scene investigation (CSI) units. CSI knowledge and skills are required at all levels of criminal justice enforcement and investigation and this is a viable pathway for career employment, providing a competitive salary and benefits. Individuals desiring employment in this career path must have above-average communication and report-writing skills as they will be interacting with a wide variety of people in technical crime investigations, compiling detailed investigative reports, and testifying in court regarding their crime scene investigations.

  Requirements

• Law Enforcement - Associate in ArtsDetails for Associate in Arts - Law Enforcement

  The A.A. degree in Law Enforcement provides the foundational education required for an individualâ??s career pathway into the criminal justice field with an emphasis on the administration of justice. The courses range from the concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigation and reporting to community relations and criminology.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer - Associate in Arts-TransferDetails for Associate in Arts-Transfer - Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer

  The Law, Public Policy, and Society major consists of courses appropriate for the Associate in Arts in Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer degree, which provides a foundational understanding of the discipline, a breadth of coursework in the discipline, and preparation for transfer to any CSU that accepts the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC). The Associate in Arts in Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelorâ??s degree in Law, Public Policy, and Society (or an approved similar major) at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept this degree will be required to complete no more than 60 (semester) units after transfer to earn a bachelorâ??s degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Private Security - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Private Security

  The Certificate of Achievement-Advanced in Private Security provides a compressed, minimum foundational education required for an individualâ??s career pathway into the private security field. The emphasis is on courses needed to apply for entry-level positions. The courses offer exposure to patrol and justice procedures.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Private Security - Associate in ArtsDetails for Associate in Arts - Private Security

  The A.A. degree in Private Security provides the foundational education required for an individualâ??s career pathway into the private security field. The courses range from the concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigations and reporting to patrol procedures and criminology.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

In addition to the programs listed above, you may be able to apply courses in this department toward General Education requirements.

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