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Nov 23, 2024
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2017-2018 Catalog [PAST CATALOG]
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice - Police Academy (A.A.S.)
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 Return to: Majors & Programs
Title of Major: Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice - Police Academy, A.A.S.
Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.
Code: AAS.LEN.POLICE-ACAD
Total Credit Hours: 60
About the Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute
This degree is part of the Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute.
Purpose: To achieve three objectives: first, to provide students with the opportunity to develop the basic theoretical and technical skills needed for an entry-level position into various areas of the criminal justice profession; second, to enhance the opportunities of in-service police officer students for promotion to higher levels of supervision and responsibility; and third, to provide a transfer basis for students who are seeking entry into police and criminal justice agencies having a four-year degree requirement.
Additional Program Requirements
Students who have career interests in a particular criminal justice agency, especially federal agencies, should consult with one of the criminal justice faculty to plan a program which is transferable to a four-year institution. In addition, students enrolled in the Police Academy Option must meet specific admission requirements needed for police certification. Most police departments have specific requirements as to health, character and vision for entry-level employment. Students must determine if they meet these requirements before they enter the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice degree program.
Range of Occupations
- Correctional officer
- Federal enforcement officer
- Jail or detention facility officer
- Juvenile services officer
- Police officer or cadet
- Private investigator
- Rehabilitation counseling
- Retail store security officer
- Victim advocate
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Entrance/Admission Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Students must meet with the program coordinator for advisement and eligibility approval before enrolling in the police academy. Please call 410-777-1159 or 410-777-7063; or email lpblyther@aacc.edu to set up a meeting. The police academy segment of the degree program begins in the summer semester of every year with an orientation course, and ends May 31 in the following year. Students must be 21 years of age by May 31 to enroll in the police academy segment of the degree program.
Criminal Background Check
Participating in this program requires the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check.
Academic and Integrity Standards
The police academy segment of the degree program reflects entrance-level training objectives, mandated by the Maryland Police Training Commission (MPTC), the Director of the Academy and by Anne Arundel Community College. Students are required to complete academy examinations with a score of 75 percent or better on each exam. Students may not fail any course within the police academy segment of the degree program and must complete the police academy segment of the degree program with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain at least the same GPA for all other non-academy courses in the degree program. Students must be eligible to take ENG 111 or ENG 115 or ENG 121 by the end of the police academy segment of the degree program. While enrolled in the police academy segment of the degree program, students are required to maintain the highest ethical, academic and professional standards - during and outside of scheduled classes. Failure to adhere to these and other standards established by the Academy Director, the college and/or by the MPTC, will lead to academy dismissal.
Following successful completion of the police academy segment of the degree program, the student will receive a certificate from the Maryland Police Training Commission, documenting successful completion of the mandated police entry-level curriculum in all areas except firearms training. Graduates hired as police officers within two years may be eligible for a waiver of certain entrance-level training requirements to become a certified police officer.
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete criminal background checks. Students are also required to obtain medical waivers that qualify the student’s fitness to perform various physical activities throughout the police academy segment of the degree program. The police academy segment of the degree program is a 10-month program, approved by the Maryland Police Training Commission. Students must be able to adhere to a full-time course schedule set by the Director of the Police Academy. Students are required to purchase and wear authorized uniforms; attend meetings; physical and academic trainings; examinations; and other workshops outside of regularly scheduled classes. Students also are required to complete two trainings off campus: Anne Arundel County Police Department Training Facility in Davidsonville, Md.; and the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course in Sykesville, Md.
Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses
Biological and Physical Sciences: 4 credits
Biological and Physical Sciences, Computer Technology or Mathematics*: 3 credits
See General Education Requirements for a list of approved courses.
*Students who do not complete a Computer Technology general education course must satisfy the Computing and Information Technology competency requirement with an elective.
Health/Fitness/Wellness: 3 credits
- HEA 150 - First Aid and Safety - CPR 3 credit hours
OR - EMT 104 - Emergency Medical Responder 3 credit hours
Students who are graduates of recognized police academies, current employees of fire departments, or current employees of EMT/emergency response agencies may request to have HEA 150 or EMT 104 waived. To do so, students should provide an official (department letterhead) letter to the Records and Registration Office stating that they are graduates or employees of one of the above agencies. Courses or training not approved for academic credit through the American Council on Education or through an institution accredited by a commission on higher education approved by the United States Department of Education will not be accepted for transfer credit or as meeting the waiver. Sixty credits must be completed to earn this degree.
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 credits
Program Requirements: 15 credits
Area of Concentration Requirements: 20-23 credits
Diversity Requirement
Satisfied by SOC 111 requirement.
Fast Track Option
This program has a Fast Track Option for those holding a college degree.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply analytical and critical thinking skills in a law enforcement context.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research related to criminal justice and law enforcement.
- Analyze, differentiate, and interpret varying data.
- Articulate concepts and theories of criminology, sociology, psychology as they pertain to the criminal justice system.
- Gather, analyze, preserve, and interpret information, artifacts and evidence.
- Apply the law properly in contexts related to criminal justice and public safety.
- Describe the critical phases of the criminal justice system.
- Recall the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights.
- Identify diversity and human rights issues pertaining to criminal justice.
- Articulate ethical and professional standards of conduct and performance.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing in law enforcement situations.
- Use technology to gather, compose, appraise and apply information.
This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.
Career and Educational Advancement Resources
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