John Rivers Criminal Justice Program Coordinator	New Criminal Justice Certificate Program Launched! This program is designed for current and prospective law enforcement and/or corrections employees whose job performance could be enhanced by information and understanding gained through the completion of relevant courses in the criminal justice system.  Students enroll in this program to seek initial employment or career advancement opportunities in such jobs as:  police, sheriff’s departments, or other law enforcement offices or in jails or prisons, as detention, correctional, or probation officers, guards, or in other areas related to law enforcement and corrections.  I look forward to meeting you and discussing any questions that you may have regarding our new program. Sincerely, John Rivers, JD
Courses and Course Descriptions
CRJ100 Introduction to Criminal Justice                    This course includes an overview of the functions and responsibilities of agencies such as police organizations, court systems, correctional systems and juvenile justice agencies, which are involved in the administration of justice. CRJ115   Criminology                                                        This course is a study of criminal theories, which includes criminal causation, controls, typologies and the reaction of society to crime and criminals. CRJ225   Police Community Relations                        This course is a study of the importance of two-way communication between the criminal justice system and the community, working together to control crime. The process includes citizen involvement in crime prevention, police officer interpersonal relationships, and a variety of other techniques. Prerequisite:  CRJ100, or Permission of Instructor CRJ240   Probation, Pardon and Parole                      This course includes the philosophy and methods of treatment of offenders and the operational problems and activities of the probation/parole officer.  The result of systems of probation and parole as substitutes for incarceration is studied. Prerequisite:  CRJ100, or Permission of Instructor CRJ270   Special Problems in Criminal Justice       This course introduces students to ethical decision-making in the three basic segments of the Criminal Justice system:  police, courts and corrections.  Students are introduced to both philosophical principals (theories) and hands-on criminal justice issues and applications. Prerequisite:  CRJ100, or Permission of Instructor			CRJ110   Criminal Law                                                This course covers the development of specific criminal offenses, defenses and various legal principles upon which criminal law is established in America. CRJ140   Criminal Justice Reporting Writing        This course introduces students to fundamental guidelines for reports common to the criminal justice community. The course also studies how computers and technology are used as tools in this process. CRJ235   Correctional Systems                                 This course is an introduction to aspects of the correctional function in criminal justice, including organizations, processes, procedures, client’s incarcerations, and conditional releases. Prerequisite:  CRJ100, or Permission of Instructor CRJ260   Criminal Investigations                                This course is the study of different methods of conducting crime scene searches, investigating various crimes, interviewing witnesses, and interrogating suspects. Prerequisite:  CRJ100, or Permission of Instructor SOC225    Juvenile Delinquency                                   This course in intended to help students understand the nature of delinquency, its causes and correlates, as well as current strategies being used to control or eliminate its occurrence. Prerequisite:  Permission of Instructor
Minimum Total Quarter Credit Hours Required for Graduation     45.0 Note:  All courses in the Criminal Justice Certificate Program are 4.5 credit hour courses. Courses satisfactorily completed with a grade of “C” or better in this program may be transferred toward more advanced study in the Associate Degree program in Business Administration with an emphasis in legal assisting/paralegal studies.
Notice regarding externship or employment eligibility requirements: Agencies for which an individual may be interested in seeking an externship, certification or employment in criminal justice may have requirements that preclude participation based on such factors as: Your age.  Most agencies require that you be at least  21 years of age at the time that you’re hired. Your driving record.  You must possess a South Carolina driver’s license with no record of suspensions for certain offenses within the previous five year period Your background.  Most agencies require a criminal history check (NCIC and SCCH) showing no crimes carrying a sentence of more than one year. Depending on the agency involved, other factors may apply as well.  It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about current eligibility requirements prior to enrolling in the program of their choice.  Forrest Junior College has absolutely no responsibility in this regard.			If you want more information on this or any of our other programs, or would like to apply:   Call the Admissions Office, 864-225-7653, ext. 202 E-mail an Admissions Representative Apply On-line Drop by our Business Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM or on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM     You are visitor number Thanks for looking!