Administration of Justice: Corrections

Program Description

The Associate in Arts (AA) Administration of Justice: Corrections degree program provides preparatory instruction necessary for persons who wish entry into four-year institutions for careers as Correctional Officers, Counselors, or Probation and Parole Officers with federal, state, and county agencies. Entry-level employment may be available after satisfactory completion of the AA degree requirements.

To qualify for the Associate in Arts Degree, students must satisfactorily complete the major requirements specified below and the local AA/AS general education requirements. The completion time for this degree program is generally 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

This AA degree program requires:

1. Completion of at least 60 degree-applicable semester units including the following:
   1. A minimum of 18 semester units from the program (major) requirements
   2. A minimum of 21 units of local AA/AS General Education requirements
   3. A minimum of 12 of the 60 units must be completed at Merritt College
   4. Courses taken outside the Peralta Community College District will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are degree-applicable
   5. If the General Education and the major units do not total 60, complete degree-applicable elective course(s) to reach the required 60 units
2. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major
3. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for General Education Area 1A: English Composition and Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
4. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in General Education coursework and in all coursework for the degree

As this degree alone may not be complete preparation for transfer, students wishing to transfer to a 4-year institution should meet with a counselor to develop a plan that addresses all transfer requirements.

Career Opportunities

The program prepares students for positions such as correctional officer, deputy sheriff, state or county probation officer, state or federal parole agent, correctional aide, juvenile institutional officer, group home counselor, reentry counselor, as well as manager and supervisor in these individual fields. Placement may depend on job availability and the successful completion of an entrance examination.

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Recall, list, and define common terms used in the field of corrections
2. Compare and contrast the various historical efforts and contemporary trends in corrections as they apply to punishment and reduction of recidivism
3. Articulate the purposes and importance of the ethical application of laws, policies, procedures, and operational techniques to the investigation, detection, rehabilitation, or punishment of criminal offenders.