Criminal Justice

For discipline outcomes, see General Education Outcomes .

Oregon’s state universities offering Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice are Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University (degree in Criminology), and Portland State University.

As a student, you are responsible for learning the departmental requirements of the school to which you plan to transfer. Consult with Chemeketa Advising and First Year Programs staff or a Chemeketa Criminal Justice faculty advisor. Also, you should make early contact with an advisor at the institution to which you plan to transfer to learn of any possible changes in an academic area.

Refer to the Associate of Arts degree information in the Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, and Transfer Information section of this catalog.

Criminal Justice, Corrections, and Law Enforcement

cj.chemeketa.edu

Graduates of Chemeketa’s Criminal Justice, Corrections and Law Enforcement programs may enter career fields in juvenile or adult corrections; become law enforcement officers, adult or juvenile case workers, or parole or probation officers; gain entry-level positions within federal law enforcement or protection services; or elect to progress toward a career with Homeland Security, including positions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Transportation Security Administration; or the Federal Bureau of Investigation with opportunities to work in the areas of drug enforcement, computer information security services, and intelligence analysis.

Individual agencies may require employees to earn a bachelor’s degree before entering or advancing in this field. Chemeketa’s Law Enforcement and Corrections programs are career-specific academic programs from which graduates may move directly to employment. Alternatively, the Criminal Justice program is designed so that you may incorporate the necessary general education course work for transfer to a four-year school. Before you enroll at Chemeketa, consult with Chemeketa Advising and First Year Programs staff and an advisor at the institution to which you plan to transfer.

The Criminal Justice associate of applied science degree curriculum focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components, and processes. Graduates may find jobs in 9-1-1 telecommunications, intake and release work in correctional institutions, and in private and public security work. You may also qualify for work in a related enforcement or investigative field such as a liquor control agent, an insurance adjuster, an agency investigations officer, an agency auditor, a hearings officer, or a licensing inspector for the state department of motor vehicles. For additional information about the Criminal Justice program, contact Megan Gonzalez at 503.584.7350 or megan.gonzalez@chemeketa.edu.

The Corrections associate of applied science degree program offers students the unique opportunity to develop and practice the skills of a correctional officer as they prepare to provide adult or juvenile correctional services upon graduation from the program. Students participate in classroom and practical learning environments to prepare for the duties and responsibilities of a municipal, county, state, or federal corrections professional. Students may choose to earn the degree with an emphasis in either adult or juvenile corrections.

The Corrections program curriculum prepares graduates for employment and subsequent certification leading to entry-level corrections officer or Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) life coordinator positions. The program also provides pathways into other correctionsrelated fields such as parole and probation, casework and counseling, residential treatment services, intake processing, risk/release assessment, visitation monitoring, perimeter patrols, and security clearance assignments within correctional agencies, facilities, residential treatment facilities, and mentor programs.

Students interested in the Corrections program should contact Megan Gonzalez at 503.584.7350 or megan.gonzalez@chemeketa.edu.

The Law Enforcement associate of applied science degree prepares graduates to provide police services for the public and communities in which they serve and the agencies they represent. Students participate in the academic and practical “hands-on” learning environments required for entry-level duties and responsibilities of municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement careers. The program includes concentrated academic and practical skills instruction for employment and certification leading to a city police officer, county sheriff’s patrol deputy, or state police trooper designation. Students interested in the Law Enforcement program should contact
Michael Withington at 503.589.7768 or michael.withington@chemeketa.edu.

In addition to the associate degrees, certificates of completion are offered in Basic Law Enforcement and Basic Corrections. The certificates of completion are educational “stepping stones” and fit wholly into the Law Enforcement and Corrections Associate of Applied Science degrees (respectively), allowing you to work in your field while earning your degree.

Students in the Criminal Justice degree program are required to complete a minimum of three credit hours of Cooperative Work Experience. With the approval of the program chair, you may enroll in CJ280B-L Cooperative Work Experience and earn college credit hours for work you do related to your program. For more information, look under Cooperative Work Experience in the catalog index or contact Megan Gonzalez at 503.584.7350 or
megan.gonzalez@chemeketa.edu.

Individuals with law enforcement, corrections, criminal justice, or juvenile justice professional training, certification, or experience should contact Megan Gonzalez at 503.584.7350 or megan.gonzalez@chemeketa.edu to see if they are eligible for Credit for Professional Certification college credits.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Criminal Justice degree should be able to:

• 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.

Students completing the Basic Corrections certificate should be able to:

• Identify the historical and philosophical evolution of criminal justice sanctions and punishment.
• Describe the constitutional and statutory foundation for offender treatment within correctional facilities.

Students completing the Corrections degree should be able to:

• Identify the characteristics of professional integrity and ethical standards for Oregon criminal justice professionals.
• Operate safely and effectively under both general and close supervision when engaged in corrections-related activities.
• Demonstrate and explain specific operations of corrections, including briefing, uniform and equipment maintenance, chain of command, and inmate/client/resident management.
• Describe the correct ethical, tactical, and legal decisions regarding proper responses to a variety of job-related situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform a variety of tasks, including both low- and high-risk maneuvers for pat downs, intake and assessments, transports and restraints, cell searches, and cell extractions.
• Utilize appropriate discretion when performing inmate and client contacts and tactical communication skills reflecting appropriate force continuum options.
• Interact formally and informally with a diversified population in a manner that reflects a positive, professional Image for entry-level correctional officers and related positions.

Students completing the Basic Law Enforcement certificate should be able to:

• Identify the historical and philosophical evolution of law enforcement in the United States.
• Identify and describe the legal foundation for law enforcement officers working under “color of law”.

Students completing the Law Enforcement degree should be able to:

• Identify the characteristics of professional integrity and ethical standards for Oregon criminal justice professionals.
• Operate safely and effectively under both general and close supervision as an integral member of a training squad when engaged in hazardous scenario activities.
• Demonstrate and explain specific operations of the patrol division that includes briefing, roll-call training, uniform and equipment maintenance, and chain of command.
• Demonstrate correct ethical, tactical, and legal decisions regarding proper responses to a variety of scenario-based training situations.
• Drive and perform various traffic stop scenarios including both low and high-risk maneuvers and impairment recognition.
• Demonstrate acceptable competency and officer discretion when performing mock citizen/community contacts and tactical communication skills reflecting appropriate force continuum options.
• Interact formally and informally with a diversified population in a manner that reflects a positive, professional image for entry-level recruits in law enforcement.

If you have questions about the requirements, contact Megan Gonzalez at 503.584.7350 or megan.gonzalez@chemeketa.edu.