Court Personnel/Pre-lawCertificate of AchievementAS Degree
- Community of interest
- Health & Public Services
- Award
- Certificate of Achievement
- Program code
- 11136.00CA
- Department
- AJ/Court Personnel
- CIP code
- 43.0107: Criminal Justice/Police Science.
- TOP code
- 2105.00 - Administration of Justice*
Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP
Program Snapshot
- Community of interest
- HPS Health & Public Services
- Award
- Certificate of Achievement
- Program code
- 11136.00CA
- Department
- AJ/Court Personnel
- CIP code
- 43.0107: Criminal Justice/Police Science.
- TOP code
- 2105.00 - Administration of Justice*
Next Steps
Certificate of Achievement — expand to learn about this award
A career-aligned credential built around a specific field of study or area of emphasis. Faster to complete than a degree, and the coursework typically stacks into a related AS or AA later if you choose to continue.
Semester-by-Semester Map
Term 1
Class Schedules
course details
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of criminological theories and their application within diverse societal contexts, examining the interaction between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Through a critical lens, students will explore the philosophy of law, the organizational structures of law enforcement at various governmental levels, and the dynamic interrelationships between these entities. Special emphasis is placed on the theoretical underpinnings of criminology, including biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives on crime and criminal behavior. The course critically addresses the influence of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, and culture on crime and criminal justice responses. Through an analysis of contemporary issues, historical developments, and comparative criminology, students are encouraged to apply theoretical concepts to understand the complexities of crime in a global context, fostering a deep appreciation for the contributions and perspectives of diverse groups. Graded only.
course details
This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces which have shaped those principals and approaches. Although justice structure and process is examined in a cross cultural context, emphasis is placed on the US justice system, particularly the structure and function of US police, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, and sentencing and incarceration policies. (C-ID AJ 110).
course details
This course is an introduction to legal research. Students will become familiar with and learn how to use materials commonly found in law libraries via a web-based legal resource. Graded only.
course details
This course offers an analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of crime, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law. The completion of this course offers a foundation upon which upper-division criminal justice course will build. The course will also include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crimes. Graded only. (C-ID AJ 120).
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Term 2
Class Schedules
course details
This course examines categories of evidence and legal rules governing its admission and exclusion in the criminal process. Graded only. (C-ID AJ 124).
course details
This course addresses the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, surveillance, source of information, utility of evidence, scientific analysis of evidence and the role of the investigator in the trial process. Graded only. (C-ID AJ 140).
course details
This course provides an examination and analysis of due process in criminal proceedings from pre-arrest through trial and appeal utilizing statutory law and state and constitutional law precedents. Graded only. (C-ID AJ 122).
course details
Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, criminal law, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes. (C-ID BUS 125).
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Career Connections
2-Year Degree Paths
Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.
Example roles: 4
- Private Detectives and Investigators
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators
4-Year Degree Paths
Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.
No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the 4-year pathway for this program.
Graduate School Paths
Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.
Example roles: 1
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Local Job Market
Private Detectives and InvestigatorsSOC 33-902137 nearby openings
Top employers in sample
- Tyme Maidu Tribe 6
- Butte County 2
- Victor Careers 2
- Air Methods 1
- Amain.com 1
Where the postings are
- Chico, Butte County 9
- Las Plumas, Butte County 6
- Thermalito, Butte County 2
- Butte Creek, Butte County 1
- Chapmantown, Butte County 1
Sample current postings
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol OfficersSOC 33-305119 nearby openings
Top employers in sample
- Butte County 8
- Armed Guard Private Security 2
- Enloe Health 2
- Salvation Army Careers 2
- Target 2
Where the postings are
- Thermalito, Butte County 9
- Chico, Butte County 8
- Butte Creek, Butte County 1
- Linda, Yuba County 1
Sample current postings
Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsSOC 33-302113 nearby openings
Top employers in sample
- CORA 3
- HALO Diagnostics 3
- Armed Guard Private Security 1
- Bank of America 1
- Enloe Medical Center 1
Where the postings are
- Chico, Butte County 8
- Oregon, Butte County 3
- Las Plumas, Butte County 1
- Pennington, Sutter County 1
Sample current postings
BailiffsSOC 33-30111 nearby opening
Top employers in sample
- Butte County 1
Where the postings are
- Thermalito, Butte County 1
Sample current postings
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-11114 nearby openings
Top employers in sample
- Butte County 2
- Superior Court of California, County of Butte 2
Where the postings are
- Chico, Butte County 2
- Thermalito, Butte County 2
Sample current postings
Posting counts come from Adzuna's index of US job boards, covering the last 30 days within 25 miles of ZIP 95965. Coverage and salary visibility vary by employer. Empty searches expand the radius and posting window before the section gives up.
Source Notes
Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.
Live wage data was not available from the BLS helper for the mapped occupations, so some pay fields may be blank.
Last generated 2026-07-05T16:55+00:00