Modern Policing, Associate in Science
Modern Policing, Associate in Science
The Associate in Science in Modern Policing prepares students for law enforcement careers at local, county, state, and federal levels. Aligned with California’s Assembly Bill 89, the program fulfills the educational requirement for peace officers while offering a pathway to four-year universities. The curriculum focuses on community policing, public trust, ethical decision-making, cultural competence, crime prevention, and criminal justice theory. Rooted in the principles of community engagement and public service, the program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to serve communities with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to justice, while meeting the core competencies outlined in California Government Code 1031.4.
Students must fulfill the following major requirements: completing a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units with a grade point average of at least 2.0. GE Courses are included in required courses and may be eligible for double counting (est. 24 units). Prior completion of an accredited Police Academy may allow for Credit for Prior Learning credit (CPL).
Courses marked with an asterisk have equivalent options available.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| CJ V01 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ V02 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ V03 | Community Relations and Diversity | 3 |
| CJ V04 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
| or CJ V05 | Criminal Procedures | |
| or CJ V08 | Criminal Investigation | |
| or CJ V14 | Juvenile Law and Procedures in California | |
| COMM V12 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| ETHS V01 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| SOC/PSY V31 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| CJ V49 | Ethics for the Criminal Justice System Professional | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| ENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| PSY V04 | Introductory Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| or STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| or MATH V43 | Elementary Statistics with Applications for Health Care Professionals | |
| ART V09A | Art of the Ancient Americas | 3 |
| PHIL V02 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| SOC V13 | Sociology of Deviance, Crime, and Society | 3 |
| or CD V61 | Child, Family, and Community | |
| Required Core Units | 47 | |
| Required Additional Courses | ||
List A: Select 4 units minimum from the following: | ||
| ANTH V01 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH V01L | Biological Anthropology Laboratory | 1 |
| ANAT V01 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| GEOG V01 | Elements of Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG V01L | Elements of Physical Geography Laboratory | 1 |
| GIS V22 | Fundamentals of Mapping and Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GIS V26 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Software | 2 |
List B: Select 3 units from the following: | ||
| HED V01 | Health and Wellness | 3 |
| HED V20 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HED V24 | Drugs, Health, and Society | 3 |
| Required Additional Units | 7 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| Total Major Units | 54 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| VCCCD General Education Pattern | ||
| Required Major Units | 54 | |
| VCCCD General Education Units | 24 | |
| Double-Counted Units | (24) | |
| Elective Units | 5-6 | |
| Total Units for the A.S. Degree | 60 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| CJ V01 | Introduction to Criminal Justice (VCCCD GE Area 4 (Double Count)) | 3 |
| CJ V02 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (VCCCD GE Area 1A) | 4 |
| Select course . . . . PSY V04, STAT C1000, or MATH V43 (VCCCD GE Area 2 (Double Count) | 4 | |
| Units/Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CJ V03 | Community Relations and Diversity | 3 |
| SOC/PSY V31 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking (VCCCD GE Area 1B (Double Count)) | 3 |
| ENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| Select a course: Degree-applicable elective course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CD V61 or SOC V13 | Child, Family, and Community or Sociology of Deviance, Crime, and Society | 3 |
| PHIL V02 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Select 4 units. . . . ANTH V01/ANTH V01L, ANAT V01, GEOG V01/GEOG V01L, GIS V22, GIS V26 (VCCCD GE Area 5 (Double Count) | 5 | |
| Select a course . . . . CJ V04, CJ V05, CJ V08, or CJ V14 | 3 | |
| ART V09A | Art of the Ancient Americas (VCCCD GE Area 3 (Double Count)) | 3 |
| Units/Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ETHS V01 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies (VCCCD GE Area 6 (Double Count)) | 3 |
| Select a course . . . . HED V01, HED V20, HED V24 (VCCCD GE Area 7 Double Count) | 3 | |
| CJ V49 | Ethics for the Criminal Justice System Professional | 3 |
| COMM V12 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Select a course: Degree-applicable elective course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 61 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe the history, structure, and functions of the American criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
- Assess law enforcement interactions with diverse communities using ethical reasoning, cultural competence, and emotional intelligence.
- Analyze contemporary issues, social justice concerns, and the impact of policies on marginalized communities within the criminal justice system.
- Apply professional communication, investigative techniques, and forensic skills in criminal justice settings.