Administration of Justice
Division: Social Sciences
The College of the Sequoias Administration of Justice program provides a comprehensive curriculum related to Corrections and Law Enforcement. The three criminal justice degrees offered at the College of the Sequoias, prepares students for career specific training and transfer to a four-year university for advanced academic studies. An associate degree in criminal justice significantly enhances employment opportunities in criminal justice careers at the state and local levels that include but are not limited to, state highway patrol, municipal police departments, adult and juvenile corrections, parole, and county sheriff’s departments. Careers in county probation, federal law enforcement and federal corrections require a baccalaureate degree.
Transfer requirements in Administration of Justice are available at the COS Counseling Center. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for specific transfer requirements.
Contact Information
Administration of Justice Faculty Contact
Sidney Hammond | sidneyh@cos.edu
Candido Alvarez | candidoa@cos.edu
Social Sciences Division Chair
Marla Prochnow | (559) 730-3723 | marlap@cos.edu
Kern: 730D | Visalia Campus
Dean of Business, Social Science, and Consumer Family Studies
Jesse Wilcoxson, Ed.D. | (559) 737-6281 | jessew@cos.edu
Kern: 716 | Visalia Campus
For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES
AJ 011 Introduction to Criminal Justice
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
Introduction to Criminal Justice offers an overview of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the historical development and evolution of each. Students will examine crime causation theories and the structure, function, and decision-making processes of the criminal justice system from the perspective of the accused, the police, the courts, corrections, and victims. (C-ID AJ110)
AJ 013 Community Relations
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course examines the complex, dynamic relationship between communities and the justice system in addressing crime and conflict with an emphasis on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population. Topics include but are not limited to consenting and conflicting values in culture, religion, law and contemporary community policing models including community oriented policing and problem solving.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 001 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C. (C-ID AJ160)
AJ 014 Criminal Law 1
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
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 crimes, the definitions of common and statutory law, and the nature of acceptable evidence. (C-ID AJ120)
AJ 025 Constitutional Law
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
Students will apply logic and critical thinking to written and oral communication in the study of the fundamental rights of all citizens as protected by the United States Constitution, including various ethnic or cultural groups with varying Western and non-Western perspectives. Case studies and comparative analysis will be used as examples of the application of law.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 001 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
AJ 045 Terrorism and Freedom
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course is a study of terrorism including types, tactics and trends. The course also covers the history of freedom, its meaning today and the balance of individual rights and public order. The Patriot Act and its effects on the safety and freedom of the American citizen today are also examined.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 251 or ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL 001 as determined by COS Placement Procedures.
AJ 111 Criminal Justice Communication
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course covers techniques of communicating facts, information in corrections and probation law enforcement reports, letters, memoranda, and directives. Practical experience is offered in note taking, report writing and presentation of courtroom testimony. Introduction to technology used in criminal justice and corrections.
Prerequisites: AJ 011 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
AJ 112 Legal Aspects of Evidence
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
The origin, development, philosophy, constitutional and procedural basis of evidence; judicial decisions and statutory rules of evidence governing the admissibility of testimony, writings and material objects.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 001 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C. (C-ID AJ124)
AJ 113 Juvenile Laws & Procedures
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course examines the origin, development, and organization of the Juvenile Justice System as it evolved in the American Justice System. The course explores the theories that focus on Juvenile Law, courts and processes, and the constitutional protections extended to juveniles administered in the American Justice System. This course is useful to students looking for a career in the juvenile justice system and those already employed in the system.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: AJ 011 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C. (C-ID AJ220)
AJ 114 Juvenile Delinquency
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This is an introductory course designed to explore the concept of juvenile delinquency in America. Emphasis is on defining delinquency, identifying delinquents, examining theories of causation, identifying institutions for delinquents, and identifying community-based programs designated to treat and or prevent delinquency.
AJ 115 Criminal Law 2
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
An in-depth study of criminal law and criminal procedures commonly associated with California state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. The course provides a complex analysis of both state law, as created by the legislature, and case law as defined in state and federal appellate court decisions, while focusing on established criminal justice procedures.
Prerequisites: AJ 011 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
AJ 117 Correctional Counseling
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
An Administration of Justice course designed for students who are either employed in a corrections setting or intend to pursue a career in this field. This course includes areas of professional ethics, psycho-diagnostic procedures in counseling, critical thinking and communication skills.
Prerequisites: AJ 121 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
AJ 118 Criminal Investigation
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course examines the basic principles of criminal investigation. Topics include lawful crime scene investigation & crime scene management strategies, physical evidence identification, collection and preservation guidelines. Current investigative techniques (crime scene search patterns) and concepts related to the prevention and suppression of crime, are also essential components of this course. (C-ID AJ140)
AJ 119 Criminal Identification
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations. It examines the methods used in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, firearms, questioned documents and controlled substances. (C-ID AJ150)
AJ 121 Introduction to Corrections
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course provides a history of and critical analysis of punishment, the various types of punishment, alternatives to punishment, and the impact of punishment on the Criminal Justice System, corrections, a critical examination of the types of correctional institutions and the clients housed in each institution, and an examination of contemporary correctional issues. (C-ID AJ200)
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ENGL 261 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or eligibility for ENGL 001 as determined by COS Placement Procedures.
Prerequisites: AJ 011 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
AJ 123 Ethics in Criminal Justice
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course allows students the opportunity to explore ethical issues in the field of criminal justice through analysis and critical thinking and apply these concepts to both their professional and personal lives.
AJ 130 Correctional Law
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course provides the student with an awareness of the historical framework, concepts and precedents that guide correctional practice. Course material will broaden the individual's perspective of the corrections environment, the civil rights of prisoners and responsibilities and liabilities of corrections staff.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: AJ 121 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
Prerequisites: AJ 011 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
AJ 219 Police Patrol Procedures
3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion
This course is the study of basic patrol techniques including stopping, arresting and handcuffing criminal suspects; methods of police patrol and observations; handling disputes and crisis intervention, community policing, and crimes in progress.