The Administration of Justice Associate's Degree program at West Valley College focuses on preparing students for a diverse range of careers in law enforcement. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the basic skills that includes the theory and practice of law enforcement, correctional science and paralegal and legal assistant training. Law enforcement courses focus on police activities including effective patrol services to the public. Correctional science courses provide instruction on the incarceration process as well as rehabilitation of the offender. Potential careers specific to this degree include, but are not limited to: police officer or deputy sheriff, detention officer, correctional officer, probation officer, parole agent, and positions in the security and protective services area. Working professionals in criminal justice and corrections can earn significant pay increases by obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Administration of Justice.
Major Core Requirements (21 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ADMJ001 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 units |
| ADMJ002 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 units |
| ADMJ003 | Principles & Procedures of the Justice System | 3 units |
| ADMJ004 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 units |
| ADMJ005 | Criminal Investigation | 3 units |
| ADMJ021 | Community Relations | 3 units |
| ADMJ023 | Police Report Writing | 3 units |
Major Electives (9 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ADMJ008 | Juvenile Procedures | 3 units |
| ADMJ014 | Alcohol, Narcotics and Drug Abuse | 3 units |
| ADMJ015 | Sexual Assault Investigation | 3 units |
| ADMJ026 | Organized Crime | 3 units |
| ADMJ032 | Motorcycle, Prison, and Street Gangs | 3 units |
| ADMJ033 | Introduction to Probation and Parole | 3 units |
| ADMJ034 | Career Planning in Criminal Justice | 3 units |
| ADMJ041 | Introduction to Forensics | 3 units |
| ADMJ100G | Introduction to Corrections | 3 units |
Total Major Units: 30 units
To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
- Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
- Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.