Administration of Justice

This program focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, as well as its legal and public policy contexts. This includes instruction in criminal law and policy, police and correction systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the breadth, scope and interconnectivity of the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and research in the area of crime, criminality and criminal justice.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of criminal law.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the implications of legal evidence in the processing of criminal cases.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the role of policing and the maintenance of favorable community relations.

Current number of students to earn certificate/degrees annually through have grown from 9 to 47 in the last 4 years.  I project our numbers will increase 5-10% over the course of the next two years with a potential of greater growth.

 As of 2019-2020, students currently enrolled in our ADJ program is estimated at758 with a 89.1% retention rate. 

CTE Credit degrees and certificates:

This program focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, as well as its legal and public policy contexts. This includes instruction in criminal law and policy, police and correction systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues. 

Norco College is the only college in the district without an AS degree in Administration of Justice.  The AS degree was removed from NC’s catalog after the 2008 recession when NC did not have a full-time faculty in the discipline. Today, Norco College has a growing student population. There is no other college in our service area that has a similar program. This program will assist our students to attain an AS degree in ADJ which in turn can increase wage earnings by 2.5% throughout the industry without any continued education at a 4-year institution. This AS degree also supports five guided pathways within public safety. 

The Certificate of Achievement will allow those new or already in the field without a degree or college credits to earn college credits towards their professional development requirements to navigate through the salary structure within their departments. It will also allow students to earn college credits towards the Public Safety pathway wherein they may not want to earn an actual degree.  This will prepare our students for jobs in high demand within our industry and earn a livable wage. 

The Administration of Justice Program aligns with the College’s Mission to inspire, challenge, and empower our diverse, multi-cultural community of student learners to realize their goals; promote citizenship, integrity, leadership, and global awareness; encourage academic excellence and professionalism.

We have one goal in mind: How to plan and manage curricula within our programs to best benefit our students and provide them with the necessary academic, technical, and employable skills to transition into higher than livable-wage careers and post-secondary education. 

This program will require students to complete 18 units of required coursework and 9 units of elective coursework in ADJ for a total of 27 units.  

The Associate of Science Degree in Administration of Justice will be awarded upon completion of the degree requirements, including general education and other graduation requirements as described in the college catalog. 

Required Courses:   18   .units

Elective Courses:    9   .units