Community Service Officer Certificate (Fully Online)

Fully Online Certificate. 

The Community Service Officer Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work in the field of public safety and security, both in public and private sectors. The coursework emphasizes the development of communication skills, criminal law and investigation,contemporary issues facing law enforcement, ethical and moral reasoning competence, and skills necessary of the community service officer (CSO).  The Certificate of Achievement supports career pathways to law enforcement, government, and private industry as community service officers (CSO), security personnel, police explorers, and ancillary legal and professional support staff.

10-12 estimated annual completions. 

1.   Demonstrate effective communication necessary of the community service officer (CSO).

2.   Interpret and analyze concepts and theories related to criminal law, law enforcement, community service officers and legal support staff from multiple perspectives.

3.   Apply and integrate terminology and practices that relate to criminal law, law enforcement, community service officers and legal support staff.

4.   Recognize the value of a multicultural society and the importance of legal, procedural, and social justice within legal and public environments.

5.   Analyze and consider personal decisions and ideas related to legal, moral, and ethical standards that ensure a professional level of civility, civic responsibility, and public perception

AJ 011 - Criminal Law 

Students analyze the doctrines of criminal law in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, and public morals and welfare.  Emphasis is placed on the history and structure of law, classification of crimes, general elements of crime, and constitutional law as it relates to criminal law today.  Students examine landmark case law rulings and how these rulings have impacted the U.S. justice system, the offender, and society.  The legal system, framework of the courts, defenses to crime, and criminal culpability are also explored.  

AJ 014 - Contemporary Police Issues 

Students examine the evolution of law enforcement in American society including federal, state, and local levels of policing.  Emphasis is placed on hiring and training procedures, demands of the job, institutional ethics, contemporary policing strategies, diversity in law enforcement, and the role of discretion.  Students also examine police-community relations, institutional accountability, and the challenges and trends of administering justice in a pluralistic society.

AJ120 - Ethics and Moral Reasoning in Criminal Justice 

Students examine concepts and theories related to ethics, moral reasoning, conduct and character, and procedural justice standards specific to U.S. public policy, law, and the criminal justice system.  The role of ethics in a pluralistic society, ethical challenges for criminal justice professionals, concepts of leadership, and application of ethical and moral decision-making are explored. 

AJ139 - Introduction to Public Safety Community Service Officer 

Students examine the role, responsibility, and  basic duties of Community Service Officers including crime reporting,

criminal investigations, legal standards related to person contacts, arrest, search and seizure, and the rules of evidence.  The importance of cultural competence, building community partnerships and relationships, providing public services, and interacting with a diverse community is also explored.

Course	Title	Units
AJ 011	Criminal Law	3
AJ 014	Contemporary Police Issues	3
AJ 120	Ethics and Moral Reasoning in Criminal Justice	3
AJ 139	Introduction to Public Safety Community Service Officer	3

Fully online certificate, part of the California Virtual Campus - Online Education Initiative, Online CTE Pathways grant.

No impact is expected on AS degree granting colleges in the sub-region. This is a short-term, fully online certificate. No other fully online AJ certificates identified in the Silicon Valley sub-region.