This course of study is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in municipal and county law enforcement agencies (i.e. police or sheriffs departments), and/or to transfer to Bachelor’s degree programs in Criminal Justice or related fields to prepare for federal or state-level law enforcement positions (i.e., FBI, DEA, INS, etc.)

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

1. All Department Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the department requirements must be completed through SBCC).
2. One of the following three General Education options:
   1. OPTION 1: A minimum of 18 units of SBCC General Education Requirements (Areas A-D) and Institutional Requirements (Area E) and Information Competency Requirement (Area F) OR
   2. OPTION 2: IGETC Pattern OR
   3. OPTION 3: CSU GE Breadth Pattern
3. A total of 60 degree-applicable units (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher).
4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all units attempted at SBCC.
5. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all college units attempted.
6. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the American criminal justice system and the scope of responsibilities of the various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies beginning with arrest through parole.
2. Articulate the system’s objectives, the crime problem, and role expectations of criminal justice personnel, and describe the various agencies and each subsystem within the system.
3. Describe the system’s responsibilities to the community, factors in crime causation, the social implications of crime and communication barriers between the system and the community.
4. Articulate the differences between the major criminological theories of the causes of crime and how those theories relate to policies toward crime and criminal behavior.
5. Analyze legal concepts and make rational decisions about case processing.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the rules of evidence, legal definitions and concepts of evidentiary law. Apply basic investigative proficiencies. Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills acquired in the social sciences in preparation for continuance of college-level education.

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.