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Dec 21, 2024
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2024-2025 Catalog
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice - Police Academy (A.A.S.)
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Official 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: Provides 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. Enhances the opportunities of in-service police officer students for promotion to higher levels of supervision and responsibility. Provides 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 law enforcement officer
- Jail or detention facility officer
- Juvenile services officer
- Police officer or cadet
- Private investigator
- Retail store security officer
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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 410-777-7319 or 410-777-7063 or email dmhammel@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 101 or ENG 101A 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 an off campus training in Emergency Vehicle Operations in Sykesville, Md.
Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses
English Composition: 6 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 credits
Additional General Education Requirements: 6 credits
- Technology Requirement 3 credit hours
CTP 103 recommended. Students may also satisfy this requirement by CLEP exam. See General Education Technology Requirement for list of additional approved courses.
- Wellness Requirement 3 credit hours
Choose one course from the list below:
Program Requirements: 15 credits
Area of Concentration Requirements: 21 credits
Diversity Requirement
Satisfied by SOC 111 requirement. Technology Requirement
All students in associate degree programs must satisfy the Technology Requirement . In many cases, students may satisfy this requirement simultaneously as they satisfy a general education course requirement or with an elective.
Wellness Requirement
Unless they are in a degree that is exempt, all students in associate degree programs must satisfy the Wellness Requirement . In many cases, students may satisfy this requirement simultaneously as they satisfy a general education course requirement or with an elective.
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:
1. Master the Maryland Police Training Commission objectives.
2. Apply analytical and critical thinking skills in a law enforcement context.
3. Conduct qualitative/quantitative research related to criminal justice.
4. Analyze, differentiate, and interpret varying data.
5. Articulate concepts/theories of criminology, sociology, psychology.
6. Apply the law properly to investigations and cases.
7. Describe the critical phases of the criminal justice system.
8. Recall and apply the U.S. Constitution to investigations and cases.
9. Identify diversity and human rights issues pertaining to criminal justice.
10. Articulate ethical and professional standards of conduct.
11. Use technology to gather, compose, appraise and apply information.
12. Describe the interdependency between criminal justice components.
13. Outline key constitutional/statutory/case laws.
This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.
Related Offerings
Students may wish to also review requirements for the related majors or programs linked below.
Career and Educational Advancement Resources
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