Criminal justice careers include correctional officers and who oversee inmates in penal, rehabilitative or juvenile detention and may transport prisoners in transit.
Probation officers help rehabilitate law offenders in custody or on probation or parole and make assessments and recommendations for treatment or supervision plans of offenders.
Police officers enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, arrest violators and work to prevent crime.
Program highlights
- Students have the opportunity to participate in traditional classes to transfer to a four-year school or a more specialized degree geared toward careers in police, courts and corrections. Those students interested in contemporary topics in criminal justice can enroll in the Saturday Series.
- Full time students can complete the Associate of Arts or Associate in Applied Science degrees in six semesters.
- After completing 15 credit hours in criminal justice coursework, you are eligible to apply and complete an internship with a criminal justice agency in the area of study you are interested in.
Three ways to enter this field
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Choose this degree if you want in-depth study of a criminal justice area, and do not plan to transfer.
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Choose this degree if you plan to transfer and take two years of college credit with you. Our transfer agreements make this an easy transition to four-year colleges and universities like UMKC and others. Examples of classes taken include:
- Intro to Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- American Corrections
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Criminal Investigation
Check with your transfer school and your Student Success Advisor for the most accurate and timely transfer information.
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Choose these to become a police officer. You must take a block of courses held at the MCC-Blue River Police Academy. The two-year degree includes courses that prepare existing law enforcement officers for positions of increased responsibility.
Student testimonials and interviews
"I like that we don't just focus on one thing. We spent time exploring them all. From the police academy to the jail, courthouse, crime scenes, the morgue, and in community, I've learned something valuable in each that I'll take with me even past graduation. I got to see the community. I got to experience the people and share their stories. I was a part of their stories. That's a relationship that never would have been possible without the Criminal Justice program." - Adrian Ausler, Kansas City, student
"I received so much more than just a degree. I was able to meet friends and it was more than I expected. The instructors helped me make it through the program. Mentally, it challenges you. It was definitely a life-changer." - Chessina Ward, Kansas City, student
Civil Rights Pilgrimage
The Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley Brooks Institute is proud to support one of the college's premiere experiences, its annual Civil Rights Pilgrimage.
Since 2002, students, instructors and community members have traveled to the American South on a trip, exploring the rich cultural history of our country's civil rights movement.
Every spring, MCC hosts a four-day bus tour in April, traveling to destinations that mark milestone events, many consider sacred to the expression of freedom in the United States.
Scholarships
MCC provides many sources to help fund your education, including federal aid, loans, state aid, veterans benefits, and scholarships. The following scholarships reward funds for the criminal justice program and civil rights pilgrimage.
- Carol and Alvin Brooks Binding Us Together
- Corinthean B. Nutter
The MCC scholarship application deadline for the fall semester is April 1.
Careers
To work in the field of criminal justice, degree requirements vary with each agency. Some local agencies require only a high school education while others require two-years of college credit. Most federal agencies require a four-year degree.
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment
outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
Link: Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
Job opportunities
Transfer made simple
