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Submitter's Information

Name

Maria Andrade-Hernandez

Title

Grant Manager Strong Workforce

Region

Los Angeles

College

Rio Hondo College

CTE Dean

CTE Dean's Name

Bridgette Hernandez

CTE Dean's Email

Log in to view CTE Dean's Email.

Program Details

Program Title

Modern Policing

Submission Type

New Program

TOPs Code

Modern Policing (210560)

Projected Start Date

08/18/25

Catalog Description

The Associate of Science Degree in Modern Policing is designed to prepare students for a career as a peace officer. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to law enforcement education, integrating academic knowledge with practical skills and ethical considerations. The curriculum includes courses in psychology, communications, history, ethnic studies, law, and subjects that foster critical thinking and emotional intelligence. The program aligns with the California Assembly Bill 89 requirements, which mandate higher education standards for peace officers, including the development of culturally competent, equity-minded, and resilient law enforcement professionals. The degree also aims to facilitate transfer to a baccalaureate program and provides pathways for credit for prior learning, ensuring that students with relevant law enforcement or military experience can maximize their educational and professional opportunities.

To acquire the Associate of Science Degree in Modern Policing, students must complete the required major courses below with a grade of "C" or better or of "P" if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, along with either of the following: Rio Hondo College General Education (RHC GE) or California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).

Enrollment Completer Projections

Completers projected is 80

Program Proposal Attributes

Program Award Type(s) (Check all that apply)
  • A.S. Degree (S)
Program Goal

The Modern Policing Degree program provides comprehensive education and training for students aspiring to enter law enforcement or related fields. It includes a robust curriculum aligned with California’s model curricula (MC), ensuring students are well-prepared to transfer to four-year institutions. The program integrates foundational courses in psychology, sociology, communications, and criminal justice, allowing students to fulfill general education requirements while gaining specialized knowledge in policing. This approach facilitates academic growth and offers a clear pathway to baccalaureate programs in criminal justice, public administration, or related fields.

The program also focuses on developing essential skills for effective law enforcement practice, such as critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning. Students acquire necessary competencies through targeted coursework and experiential learning opportunities like simulations and internships, including report writing, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes civic education by incorporating ethics, law, and social justice courses, fostering a deep understanding of civic duty and ethical considerations. The program is specifically designed to address local law enforcement needs, engaging with regional police departments and community organizations to ensure graduates are well-equipped to serve their communities effectively, with a strong focus on community engagement, diversity, inclusion, and modern policing strategies.

Course Units and Hours

Total Certificate Units (Minimum and Maximum)

n/a

Units for Degree Major or Area of Emphasis (Minimum and Maximum)

53

Total Units for Degree (Minimum and Maximum)

53

Course Report

Program Requirements Narrative

The Associate of Science Degree in Modern Policing is designed to prepare students for a career as a peace officer. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to law enforcement education, integrating academic knowledge with practical skills and ethical considerations. The curriculum includes courses in psychology, communications, history, ethnic studies, law, and subjects that foster critical thinking and emotional intelligence. The program aligns with the California Assembly Bill 89 requirements, which mandate higher education standards for peace officers, including the development of culturally competent, equity-minded, and resilient law enforcement professionals. The degree also aims to facilitate transfer to a baccalaureate program and provides pathways for credit for prior learning, ensuring that students with relevant law enforcement or military experience can maximize their educational and professional opportunities.

To acquire the Associate of Science Degree in Modern Policing, students must complete the required major courses below with a grade of "C" or better or of "P" if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, along with either of the following: Rio Hondo College General Education (RHC GE) or California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).

Program Requirements
CourseTitleUnitsYear/Semester
(Y1 or S1)
AJ 101
Introduction to Administration of Justice
3.0
AJ 102
Criminal Procedures
3.0
AJ 104
Legal Aspects of Evidence
3.0
AJ 105
Community Relations/Multicultural Issues Within Public Service
3.0
AJ 106
Criminal Law I*
3.0
AJ 207
Juvenile Law and Procedure
3.0
AJ 208
Principles of Investigation
3.0
ART 108
The Art of Mexico
3.0
EGSS 110
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
3.0
ENGL 101
College Composition and Research*
3.5
 
3.5
ENGL 201
Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking*
3.5
OR
ENGL 201H
Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking Honors*
3.5
 
3.0
CD 208
Child, Family, and Community
3.0
OR
SOC 127
Introduction to Criminology
3.0
 
3.0
PSY 101
Introductory Psychology
3.0
OR
PSY 101H
Introductory Psychology Honors*
3.0
 
4.0
MATH 130
Statistics*
4.0
OR
MATH 130H
Statistics Honors*
4.0
OR
PSY 190
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences*
4.0
 
3.0
SPCH 101
Public Speaking
3.0
OR
SPCH 101H
Public Speaking Honors*
3.0
PHIL 120
Introduction to Ethics
3.0
SPCH 150
Intercultural Communication
3.0
Total: 53.0




















Supporting Documents

Upload Labor Market Information (LMI)

Los Angeles Regional Questions

District

Rio Hondo College District

College

Rio Hondo College

LA Workforce Council Voting Member

Bridgette Hernandez

Email

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Phone

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Reason for program recommendation request

New Program

Place of program in college's curriculum/similar program

There are no other colleges in our area currently offering this degree. 

List similar programs at other colleges in the Los Angeles Region

There are no other colleges in our area currently offering this degree. 

Annual Enrollment projects (non-duplicative)

annual enrollment projected 1800

List of colleges contacted for collegial consultation
Priority Sector

Public Services

If this is a program modification, please provide a brief description of the changes to the program. A bulleted list of key changes is acceptable.

Not a modification

Submission Details

Published at

04/29/25 - 10:47 PM

Last edited at

05/05/25 - 02:26 PM by Gray Rakow

Status

Recommended

Return to Drafts

Please list the reason(s) for returning "Modern Policing". to Maria Andrade-Hernandez's drafts. This message will be sent to mandrade-hernandez@riohondo.edu

Comments, Documents, Voting

Comments

All Comments


GR

Gray Rakow Super User   ·  05/05/25

Advisory committee minutes were uploaded to the application once received by the college.

GR

Gray Rakow Super User   ·  05/02/25

As required by the LARC Program Recommendation Process, which is outlined on the LARC Program Recommendation webpage (https://losangelesrc.org/program-recommendation/), the LA Workforce Council Voting Members must be included in the collegial consultation process for new programs. If you have not already done so, please reach out to the LAWC voting members at colleges with similar programs (per your issued LMI report from LA COE) within the next week to ensure that any concerns or questions may be addressed prior to the upcoming business meeting. The current voting members are always available in the Resources section of the LARC Program Recommendation webpage. Please feel free to reach out with any questions (grakow@pasadena.edu).