Criminal justice is an exciting and rewarding career choice for those who desire to find employment in a field which offers variety and new challenges on a daily basis. Individuals involved in criminal justice have opportunities to make contributions to their communities as well as society as a whole. Southwestern's criminal justice program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment in the areas of law enforcement, courts, and/or corrections. The program provides an interdisciplinary sequence of study merging the liberal arts and technical studies into a well-balanced curriculum. This program does not replace the training requirements of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), however, completion of the program can make students eligible for the eight-week ILEA.
NOTE: This program is located on the Creston campus.
Awards Available
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a specialized degree that can be used for immediate entry into the workplace. Emphasis is placed on competence of applying basic principles, theories, and occupational skills. These are two-year programs.
A certificate or diploma is a credential showing completion of a select group of courses that focus on job skills preparation in a 9– or 10–month format. These programs may be used toward completion of an AAS degree.
Southwestern Community College also offers a transfer pathway in criminal justice if your final goal is a bachelor's degree.
Potential Careers
- law enforcement officers (police and sheriff)
- bailiffs
- correctional officers and jailers
- probation officers and correction treatment specialists
- security officers
- police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers
Sample Courses
- CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJ 130 Criminal Law
- CRJ 155 Introduction to Child Maltreatment and Advocacy
- CRJ 110 Patrol Procedures
- CRJ 111 Police and Society
- CRJ 200 Criminology
- CRJ 120 Introduction to Corrections
- CRJ 932 Internship
- CRJ 128 Victimology
- CRJ 132 Constitutional Law
- CRJ 141 Criminal Investigation
- PEA 121 Circuit Wellness
- PHI 105 Introduction to Ethics
- SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology
- CRJ 201 Juvenile Delinquency
- CRJ 207 Drug Use and Abuse
- CRJ 230 Evidence
- PEA 121 Circuit Wellness
- PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology
Click on the course number in the list above to view the course description. This may not be a complete list of courses that may be included for the Criminal Justice program. To see all courses in a semester-by-semester plan, view the Criminal Justice program course outline.
Degree requirement advising sheet
Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:
- Identify and understand the inter-relationship of the components of the criminal justice system.
- Recognize and relate to current trends and issues in criminal justice.
- Critically analyze criminal behavior as both personal and societal issues.
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
- Exhibit effective critical thinking skills and techniques appropriate for the profession.
- Apply learned skills and ethics in facing the ever-increasing issues in a diverse society.
- Demonstrate the knowledge gained in the day-to-day practice of the criminal justice profession.