Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

The department recognizes that the majors within the department are not traditional vocational programs, and it emphasizes the need to extend the educational experience beyond the two years that are available at Casper College. The department of criminal justice offers a curriculum which provides a liberal education, preparing the student to pursue a baccalaureate degree after graduation from Casper College. In so doing, it also attempts to develop the qualities in its students that are desirable for employment in the criminal justice fields: intelligence, tolerance, self discipline and respect for constitutional values. It develops professional qualities of leadership within those students currently employed with a criminal justice agency, and it provides a general knowledge to the nonmajor about the successes and failures of America’s criminal justice system.

The department recognizes that no system can ever receive the necessary change that is desirable for improvement until there are substantial numbers of individuals, both inside and outside the system, who recognize the need for desirable change and have the competence to bring it about. As a result, the department encourages nonmajors to enroll in the classes as electives.

NOTE: Criminal justice employment will almost always require the applicant to complete and pass a thorough background investigation. Students majoring in criminal justice should be aware that criminal history, substance abuse, mental illness, and significant financial problems may render them unemployable in a criminal justice agency. Likewise, students should make every effort to safeguard their reputations while attending college. Many criminal justice agencies also have physical fitness requirements that candidates for certain positions must be able to pass. In addition, some agencies have maximum age standards for entry level positions.