Program Details
Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate
Career Studies CertificatePaul D. Camp Community College
The Foundations of Criminal Justice program prepares students for employment in the following occupations: police officer, deputy sheriff, homeland security, corrections officer, industrial/private security, wildlife officer, probation officer, and parole officer. Additional professional training is required for some of these careers.
Outcomes
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Correctly identify the three major components of the US Criminal Justice System and its function.
- Correctly identify ethical and unethical behavior exhibited by members of the criminal justice system in scenario-based examples or case studies.
- Identify the various theories regarding the causes of crime and punishment and identify policies based on those theories.
- Describe the three sources of law and give an example of each.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize technology related to their area of study.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This program is designed as a stackable credential that introduces students to the field and all courses successfully completed in this program can be applied to the Administration of Justice degree program. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | This Career Studies Certificate is part of a program pathway to the AAS degree in Administration of Justice - Police Science. Students are encouraged to continue their studies at Camp to complete the degree. |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the general education credential or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of Camp’s general education component of Camp’s curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the program. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students earning an associate degree while in high school may not be eligible for guaranteed admission programs at four-year institutions. Students planning to transfer should review the guaranteed admissions requirements at the college to which they want to be admitted. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Camp follows the VCCS Waiver of Requirements policy when determining whether any course or program requirements can be waived when previous educational studies, training programs, or work experience may entitle students to an adjustment in required courses in a particular curriculum. Students who believe that previous educational studies, training programs, or work experience may entitle them to an adjustment in the required courses in a particular curriculum should contact the Dean or their Program Advisor to determine procedures before registering for classes. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Camp enrolls over 900 curricular students, with an average class size of 10 students, a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the Catalog in effect when a student enters the college, or any in a subsequent Catalog chosen. A student must follow program or major requirements in effect at the time a program or major is declared or at the time a program or major is changed. If a student’s progress toward a degree is interrupted for four or more consecutive semesters (excluding Summer), the curricular requirements of the Catalog in effect when re-entering the college must be followed. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Most degree and certificate programs are open to all students. Some programs in nursing and allied health have competitive entry and require a separate application. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies -Specialization in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Criminal Justice, A.A.S (formerly Administration of Justice, A.A.S.) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Criminal Justice: Homeland Security Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Criminal Justice Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
25-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. | Protective Service Occupations |
11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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