Criminal Justice
Graduates of Chemeketa's Criminal Justice program may become law enforcement officers, adult or juvenile correctional officers, federal proection service, homeland security, or they may develop a foundation for a career in parole and probation. Although there is much competition for such positions, they offer good benefits. Graduates may also find jobs in 9-1-1 telecommunications, intake and release work in correctional institutions and in private and public security work. As a graduate, you may work as an insurance adjuster, a hearings officer, or a licensing inspector for the state department of motor vehicles.
Some employers may require employees to earn a bachelor's degree before entering or advancing in this field. Chemeketa's program is planned so that you may transfer to a four-year school where the courses also may meet social science requirements. Before you enroll at Chemeketa, consult with the Counseling and Career Services and an advisor at the institution to which you plan to transfer.
With the approval of the program chair, you may enroll in CJ280A-L Cooperative Work Experience and earn college credit hours for work you do relating to your program. For more information, look under Cooperative Work Experience in the catalog index.
There are several topical seminars offered during the calendar year. Please consult program chair about specific seminar content. Students should refer to the schedule of classes for these seminars as well as for specific criminal justice courses that are offered online.
Chemeketa also offers a one-year certificate in Juvenile Corrections.
Students with current or prior professional experience and training in the criminal justice career field should contact the program chair to see if they are eligible for Credit for Professional Certification college credits.
Program outcomes
Students completing the AAS will:
- Identify the characteristics of professional integrity and ethical standards for Oregon criminal justice professionals.
- Describe and relate the constitutional rights and responsibilities of citizens, offenders, and victims as they apply to state, federal, and procedural laws.
- Describe the processes and technology used to gather, investigate, manage, and report information in the criminal justice field.
- Identify the legal responsibilities of criminal justice professionals as they relate to cultural diversity and establishing positive community relationships.
Getting started
The first step to entering this program is to take part in an assessment process which includes taking the college's free placement test and meeting with Counseling and Career Services staff. You may need to complete pre-program courses.
Your advisor will help you develop an individualized program of study, which may include one or more of the following:
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
| CA121A | 1 | |
| (if less than 25 wpm) | ||
| MTH020 | 3 | |
| RD090 | 3 | |
| WR115 | 3 | |
| or | ||
| COM051 | 3 |
If you have questions about the requirements, call Counseling and Career Services at 503.399.5120 or 503.399.5163. Failure to be assessed may delay your entry into program classes.
Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science
In addition to tuition, estimated costs for students who complete the entire program
listed below are books, $1,200; universal fee, $546. Contact the Financial Aid
Office at 503.399.5018 to find out if you qualify for help with these costs.An Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon successful completion of the 91 required credit hours with a grade of C or better in all courses. These include the 58 credit hours listed under general education requirements, 18 credit hours of Criminal Justice core requirements and 15 credit hours of Criminal Justice electives.
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
| General Education requirements (58 credit hours): | ||
| CS101 | 3 | |
| (or higher) | nbsp; | |
| MTH060 | 4 | |
| (or higher) | ||
| Physical Education elective (3 different activities) | 3 | |
| or | ||
| HPE295 | 3 | |
| SP218 | 3 | |
| or | ||
| Speech elective | 3 | |
| WR121 | 3 | |
| WR122 | 3 | |
| WR227 | 3 | |
| or | ||
| CJ212 | 3 | |
| General Education electives* | 18 | |
| Humanities electives** | 9 | |
| Psychology or Sociology electives*** | 9 | |
| Criminal Justice core requirements (18 credit hours): | ||
| CJ100 | 3 | |
| CJ101 | 3 | |
| CJ132 | 3 | |
| CJ206 | 3 | |
| or | ||
| CJ253 | 3 | |
| CJ210 | 3 | |
| CJ226 | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice electives (select 15 credit hours): | ||
| CJ110 | 3 | |
| CJ112 | 3 | |
| CJ123 | 3 | |
| CJ130 | 3 | |
| CJ134 | 1 | |
| CJ136 | 1 | |
| CJ138 | 1 | |
| CA121 | 3 | |
| CJ145 | 1 | |
| CJ146 | 1 | |
| CJ147 | 1 | |
| CJ150 | 3 | |
| CJ200 | 3 | |
| CJ203 | 3 | |
| CJ207 | 3 | |
| CJ209 | 3 | |
| CJ211 | 3 | |
| CJ212 | 3 | |
| CJ215 | 3 | |
| CJ220 | 3 | |
| CJ222 | 3 | |
| CJ224 | 1 | |
| CJ230 | 3 | |
| CJ232 | 3 | |
| CJ235 | 3 | |
| CJ236 | 4 | |
| CJ237 | 4 | |
| CJ238 | 4 | |
| CJ239 | 4 | |
| CJ253 | 3 | |
| CJ255 | 2 | |
| CA121 | 3 | |
| *Students are urged to select general education electives in the following courses: | ||
| CA121 | 3 | |
| HDF226 | 3 | |
| CA121 | 3 | |
| HE262 | 2 | |
| PE185PA | 1 | |
| PSY201 | 3 | |
| PSY202 | 3 | |
| PSY203 | 3 | |
| PSY239 | 3 | |
| SOC204 | 3 | |
| SOC205 | 3 | |
| SOC206 | 3 | |
| CA121 | 3 | |
COM051, WR115, WR121, MTH052, MTH062, MTN081, PSY101, PSY104 meet related instruction requirement.
**Suggestions for students: Due to current bilingual hiring preferences, students are urged to take SPN 111, 112, 113 for Humanities electives.
***Law enforcement and adult corrections students are urged to take PSY 201, 202, 203 for Psychology electives. Students with an interest for a juvenile justice emphasis are encouraged to pursue the Juvenile Corrections Certificate. Juvenile Certificate courses may be integrated into the Juvenile Justice AAS
Updated March 2007 by the College Advancement Department.