Criminal Justice: CP
Certificate of Proficiency | 30 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Education, Public Service, and Social Sciences
Program Description:
The Criminal Justice Certificate of Proficiency prepares students for employment and advancement in an entry-level career in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. This program is designed for students who want to enhance their skills and competencies in professional criminal justice roles. Students will acquire a fundamental knowledge in legal procedures, strong written skills, and a basic understanding of the government process.
Locations. This program is offered at Florissant Valley, Forest Park, and Meramec by taking a mixture of face-to-face and online courses.
Related Program. The Criminal Justice Department offers an associate in the following area:
Criminal Justice, Associate in Applied Science
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- identify the major components of the criminal justice system.
- explain legal concepts, terminology, and evidentiary rules and constitutional limitations to which criminal justice professionals must adhere when practicing within the field.
- explain the functions of law enforcement, corrections, and the courts.
- analyze crime-related issues in the community.
- propose ethical and legal solutions to crime-related issues in the community.
- complete clear and concise written documentation in the performance of their duties as criminal justice professionals.
- distinguish the overlapping roles of law enforcement agencies, the criminal and juvenile court systems, and correctional facilities.
- identify the theories of crime and deviance, rehabilitation, and punishment.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | ||
| CRJ 122 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 101 | American Correctional System | 3 |
| CRJ 129 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CRJ 123 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 124 | Criminal Law and Procedures | 3 |
| CRJ 212 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| CRJ 206 | Diversity and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| or SOC 203 | Introduction to Criminology (MOTR CRIM 205) | |
| PHL 104 | Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| United States History to 1865 (MOTR HIST 101) | ||
| United States History from 1865 to the Present (MOTR HIST 102) | ||
| Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Full-Time Academic Plan
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CRJ 122 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CRJ 101 | American Correctional System | 3 | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CRJ 129 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| HST 101 | United States History to 1865 (MOTR HIST 101) or United States History from 1865 to the Present (MOTR HIST 102) or Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CRJ 123 | Juvenile Justice | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CRJ 124 | Criminal Law and Procedures | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CRJ 206 or SOC 203 | Diversity and Criminal Justice or Introduction to Criminology (MOTR CRIM 205) | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CRJ 212 | Criminal Investigation | 3 | Concurrent or prior enrollment in CRJ 122 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| PHL 104 | Ethics (MOTR PHIL 102) | 3 | Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.