Criminal Justice | Valencia College

Criminal Justice with Specialization in:

  • Homeland Security

Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1743010302)

The Criminal Justice degree program offers the student a broad background in the history, philosophy, organization, management and operation of the criminal justice system. 

This program prepares students to work in law enforcement, corrections, private/industry security and other criminal justice fields. It is also beneficial to professionals seeking incentive benefits or career enhancement. In addition, this program can be useful as a first step toward a career in other legal or public service careers. Successful completion of a state-certified training academy and state examination is required to be a sworn law enforcement or corrections officer in the State of Florida regardless of any degree work which may have been completed.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult a career program advisor in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Students wishing to transfer any credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution.

Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and advanced course sequence as a guide in program planning. This is found at https://valenciacollege.edu/criminal-justice

All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree

Graduates of the Criminal Justice Institute and specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit. To learn more about Valencia’s award of credit options, visit https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/credit-industry-certification-agreements.php Eligible students should contact the Career Program Advisor in their academic department for more information about the requirements for the award of credit.

College Credit Technical Certificates

The Criminal Justice A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs.  These certificates can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificates are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the certificates as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the certificates that are offered.

  • Criminal Justice Specialist (24 credits) (CIP # 0743010304)
    • Corrections Specialization
    • Homeland Security Specialization
    • Law Enforcement Specialization
    • Peace and Justice Specialization
  • Homeland Security Specialist (9 credits) (CIP # 0743010306)
  • Homeland Security Law Enforcement Specialist (15 credits) (CIP # 0743011202)
  • Hospitality Security Specialist (9 credits) (CIP # 0743010306)

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits).  The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Career Program Advisor or create an education plan by logging into Atlas, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.

Potential Careers

  • Police Officer
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • Security Officer
  • Crime Analyst/Technician
  • Criminal Justice Administration
  • Correctional Officer
  • Detective and Investigator
  • Loss Prevention Specialist
  • Emergency Communications Specialist

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine

Contacts

Future Students

To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or call 407-582-1507 or visit valenciacollege.edu/criminal-justice/.

Current Students

Your Career Program Advisor contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Advisor. 

East Campus Faculty Program Chair
Brian Murphy: 407-582-2381
jmurphy60@valenciacollege.edu

West Campus Faculty Program Chair
Lauren Sykes: 407-582-5673
lsykes3@valenciacollege.edu 

Osceola Campus Faculty Program Chair
Dave Heffernan: 321-682-4223
dheffernan@valenciacollege.edu

Internship and Workforce Services

If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit: valenciacollege.edu/internship