Degree Concentration Descriptions

A concentration option must be selected within criminal justice to prepare you for the career you have chosen. General education requirements and sufficient elective credits must be completed so that at least 124-semester credits have been earned.

Conservation Officer – combines law enforcement training with natural resource education.

Criminalistics — combines law enforcement training with a chemistry minor. Careers are available in the science-based fields of criminal justice, such as laboratory or evidence technician.

Generalist — this program is ideal for some transfer students or those working in criminal justice agencies who want a bachelor’s degree. Employment varies depending upon your specialization.

Homeland Security – works for various federal, state or local agencies in a wide range of expertise such as: federal criminal investigator, critical infrastructure protection specialist, counter terrorism investigator and emergency manager. This degree has a broad spectrum of education allowing numerous employment opportunities.

Law Enforcement — MCOLES- certified students have the best opportunities. Graduates are hired by local, state and federal agencies as police officers, sheriff deputies, federal investigators, customs and immigration inspectors, and conservation officers. Canadian graduates find careers with agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Public Safety — graduates compete for jobs in local, state or federal agencies as public safety officers, police officers, sheriff deputies, conservation officers or firefighters.

Program Descriptions – 2019 – 2020 Catalog

Criminal Justice offers two types of programs

Students can choose to take a Bachelor (four- year program), or Associate (two-year program)

Bachelor are offered for the following concentrations:

  • Conservation Officer
  • Criminalistics
  • Generalist
  • Homeland Security
  • Law Enforcement
  • Law Enforcement Certification
  • Law Enforcement Certification with NRT
  • Public Safety

Information on each concentration can be found in the 2020-2021 catalog.

Students can also choose to do a second major or a minor in any other of the nine concentrations.  They can also choose to simultaneously do an Associate’s program while working toward a Bachelor’s degree.  This affords students opportunity and potential for diversifying their educational concentrations and maximizing their potential when applying for work in the field.

Associate Degrees are offered for the following concentrations: