Criminal Justice

The Program

The Criminal Justice program at Merced College is a multifaceted program which serves the educational needs of both the pre-service and the law enforcement professional. The program also provides educational opportunities for citizens interested in learning about the criminal justice system.

The program offers individuals interested in law enforcement and the court system an opportunity to obtain an A. A. Degree, complete the first two years of a Baccalaureate degree program, or a Certificate of Completion. In addition to the academic aspects, the College is also certified by the Commission on Peace Officers Standards to provide certified training to police reserve officers and service officers.

Today's criminal justice practitioner must have knowledge in related disciplines such as psychology, sociology, electronics, computers, and business as well as the traditional law enforcement skills. Students are encouraged to enroll in a wide variety of courses in order that they might enhance their criminal justice major.

Career Opportunities

The demand for qualified men and women in the criminal justice field is present today more than ever before. Today's practitioners need to be able to deal not only with traditional law enforcement functions, but also with the complex social issues of our modern society. Thus, the need for highly educated and trained individuals will continue to increase in the future.

Professional opportunities in corrections and law enforcement and related fields for men and women today may be found on the federal, state, and local level. Each agency provides unique career opportunities for the trained recruit.

Hundreds of related careers such as criminologist, fingerprint analyst, communications operator, crime analyst, researcher, and educator are also available.

• Criminal Justice Major & Course Descriptions

For Additional Information

For more information regarding the Criminal Justice Program or registration, call (209) 384-6121 or (209) 384-6050 or visit the Guidance Center in the Administration Building and talk with the counselor for this program.