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Welcome to Hutchinson Community College

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice / Police Science

Criminal Justice is a wide-ranging field that includes many different categories of work, requiring a variety of skills. These categories include law enforcement (Police Science), courts and corrections.

Many jobs in criminal justice offer an unmatchable level of job security and stability.  If you have the fortitude to stick it out, you will enjoy a long career that is relatively immune to the ebbs and flows of the private sector job market.

New fields of study such as aviation security, forensic science, homeland security, intermediate sanctions (diversion, probation, community corrections) and psychological profiling have created new opportunities for those who have interest in criminal justice but do not want to enter traditional law enforcement or correctional professions.

During your career, you will have tremendous opportunities.  You will receive some of the best training available and have opportunities others may never experience.  You will have ample opportunity to promote and advance in your career, and every day on the job comes with its own new and unique rewards.  The fact is, most careers in criminal justice offer exactly what most job seekers are looking for.

Program Options

Criminal Justice Administration - AA

DetailsDegree Pathway

Police Science-Law Enforcement - CERT

DetailsDegree Pathway

Police Science-Law Enforcement - AAS

DetailsDegree Pathway

Why Hutch CC

Hutch CC instructors are experienced police science professionals with a “real world” approach to teaching. They provide a solid foundation upon which students can build their future careers, as well as providing for practical application of skills. 

Each student’s education and career goals are taken into consideration when developing their degree path.  The student’s class schedule will be customized to help them obtain a job after receiving their two year degree or transferring to a four year school to obtain a four year degree.

Our program meets the needs of a diverse student population by offering two different degree options and a certificate option. Our program will prepare you for a job in criminal justice or prepare you to advance your education. Our program and courses are recognized by all State of Kansas public 4 year colleges and are transferable.

We offer 3 educational pathways: AA, AAS, CERT certificate.

The Criminal Justice Administration Associate of Arts (AA) degree requires 60 credit hours. For students wanting to obtain a bachelor's degree, this pathway is recommended for students interested in transferring to a 4 year school after Hutch CC. This educational pathway can be completed online. Click the links below to see the Criminal Justice Administration degree planning guide and the semester-by-semester course template.

Criminal Justice Administration degree planning guide

Criminal Justice Administration semester-by-semester course template

The Police Science - Law Enforcement Associate of Applied Science (AAS) option requires 64 credit hours and is designed for individuals who already have certification from a state recognized law enforcement academy. Appropriate certification from a state recognized law enforcement academy will count for 12 credit hours of the 64 credit hours required for degree completion and all but the state recognized law enforcement academy can be completed completely online.  Click the link below to see the AAS degree planning guide.  The semester-by-semester course template for the AAS degree is the same as the certificate program. Click that link at the end of the next section for that document.

Police Science - Law Enforcement AAS degree planning guide.

Our Police Science - Law Enforcement Certificate (CERT) program is designed to allow students to build up to the Associate of Applied Science degree. Students will complete all but the 12 law enforcement academy credit hours. Once the student completes the required number of credit hours (52), they will receive the Police Science Certificate from Hutch CC. They then can gain employment with a law enforcement agency, graduate from a state recognized law enforcement training academy, transfer that training back to Hutch CC, which is equivalent to 12 credit hours (at no additional cost). These 12 credit hours are added to the 52 credit hours earned in the Police Science certificate program, which allows the student to meet the 64 credit hours required to obtain their Associate of Applied Science degree. This certificate / degree program allows students the ability to earn a 2 year college degree and enter into the work force and can be completed completely online. Click the below links to view the certificate degree planning guide and semester-by-semester course template.

Police Science - Law Enforcement degree planning guide

Police Science - Law Enforcement semester-by-semester course template

 

Contact Details

Criminal Justice
stewarts@hutchcc.edu
620-665-3460
1-888-GO-HUTCH ext. 3460

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