The Police Science degree and certificate program provides practical and technical instruction to meet the requirements of law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. The program is designed for men and women who are interested in careers as law enforcement officers, who are responsible for ensuring the security of human rights and maintaining social order according to the democratic system. Some responsibilities of law enforcement officers include enforcing laws and detecting and arresting violators of the law, crime prevention, and protecting life and property.

To qualify for the Associate of Arts in Administration of Justice: Police Science degree, students must satisfactorily complete the Degree Major requirements and the local AA/AS General Education requirements. See the Associate Degrees and Certificates section of this catalog for more information on the local AA/AS overall requirements and the local AA/AS General Education requirements.

A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the minimum 32 units specified for the certificate (excluding the 9 additional units required for the degree major). The AA degree may be completed in four semesters, while the certificate may be completed in two semesters.

Note: Students should see a counselor at least once each semester to plan for their educational goal(s).

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the degree or certificate will be able to:

🗸 Effectively use suppression equipment and practices.
🗸 Engage in public education and present prevention practices.
🗸 Employ chain of command and paramilitary management structure.
🗸 Recognize career hazards and safety equipment and practices.