Corrections Certificate Public Safety Total Units: 21.0

Term Effective: Summer 2025

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Previous Versions:

Corrections - effective Fall 2023
Corrections - effective Fall 2022
Corrections - effective Summer 2011
Corrections - effective Fall 2010
Corrections - effective Spring 2009
Corrections - effective Fall 1981

Description:

The Corrections Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work in entry level positions in the field of corrections. The Certificate focuses on courses that prepare students to oversee the care, custody, and control of offenders in custodial and community correction who are serving sentences for misdemeanor and felony convictions. The Certificate is an option for students who want to start their careers while working on their AS-T degree in Public Safety.

The courses required by the Certificate are courses that are also required for an AS-T degree in Public Safety. Students can complete the Certificate and start their careers while continuing to work towards an AS-T degree in Public Safety. Completion of the requirements in this certificate can also apply to the Law Enforcement Certificate of Achievement and the Juvenile Justice Certificate of Achievement.

The field of corrections has been targeted as one of the growth areas for employment.

Certification Note:
Some public safety positions have legal requirements and background qualifications. Certain criminal violations may disqualify a candidate for certification. Please contact the Public Safety Department for more information.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of mission, goals and legal premises that govern the criminal justice system;
  2. Use investigative skills to gather, analyze and assess information to recommend an outcome that is consistent with established laws and guidelines;
  3. Observe and evaluate actions and behavior of offenders to formulate a course of action consistent with the goals of the correctional system;
  4. Examine the actions and behaviors of offenders released into the community to ensure compliance with terms of probation or parole; and
  5. Demonstrate the skills required for the documentation and assessment of information obtained during interactions with and supervision of offenders.

Program Requirements:

The requirements for the Corrections program are:

  • Complete 21.0 units from
    • Corrections Requirements

Corrections Requirements - complete 21.00 units
AJ 21Introduction to Administration of Justice3.00
AJ 22Concepts of Criminal Law3.00
AJ 57Basic Criminal Investigation3.00
AJ 70Introduction to Corrections3.00
AJ 71Criminal Justice Interviewing & Counseling3.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 3.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
AJ 99IAdministration of Justice Internship0.50-8.00
PSYC 1AGeneral Psychology3.00
SOC 1Introduction to Sociology3.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 3.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
AJ 53Juvenile Procedures3.00
AJ 56Crime and Criminal Justice in Society3.00
AJ 61Introduction to Evidence3.00

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

It is important that students who are completing an Associate Degree and desire to transfer to a four-year institution meet with a counselor to plan their lower division coursework. While many majors at SRJC are intended to align with lower division major preparation required by California public universities, specific lower-division major requirements vary among individual campuses. See a counselor, visit the Transfer Center, and check Guides For Transfer in Specific Majors, and ASSIST to review transfer preparation guides for specific schools and majors.

Notes:

New students should consult the Administration of Justice program advisor.
In order to receive this certificate, all courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
AJ 56 is recommended as the first course for students who are undecided about pursuing this certificate.

Contact
Information
Phone Email Website
(707) 527-4846
jdybach@santarosa.edu