(CIP: 430107)

Transfer to West Liberty University

Note: The “2+2” term is used to refer to a transfer agreement through which a student completes an Associate degree at WVNCC and may finish a Bachelor’s degree at another institution. Because of individual student factors, part-time or full-time status, need for developmental education coursework, scheduling and availability of courses, or other factors, all students may not be able to complete this degree in two (Associate’s) or four (Bachelor’s) years. The term “2+2” does not imply a guarantee that a student will be able to complete all requirements in four years.

The Criminal Justice program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the legal professions such as law enforcement, corrections and private investigation. Students will learn how these professions integrate into a system of criminal justice.

In addition to General Education Outcomes, graduates will be able to:

• Read substantive and procedural case law with an understanding of how they impact law enforcement, juvenile justice and the correctional systems.
• Develop computer skills in the areas of Internet investigation, research and electronic messaging.
• Have familiarity with the inner workings of agencies on the local, state and federal levels that compromise our nation’s criminal justice systems.
• Have an understanding of basic law enforcement investigative techniques, crime scene preservation and analysis.
• Have an understanding of the principles of homeland security, international threats, and terrorism.
• Have an understanding of due process and how the court system is desinged to operate in relation to the United States Constitution and its ammendments as it relates to the criminal justice system.
• Understand the rights of the accused from arrest to post conviction appeals and how law enforcement, court and correctional personnel function to balance individual rights and the need to protect society, convict the guilty and humanely punish as well as rehabilitate the offender.

Currently many graduates of the Criminal Justice program are employed in the West Virginia State Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol agencies as well as in various law enforcement agencies in the Upper Ohio Valley. Many graduates are working in the correctional field as correctional officers, adult and juvenile case workers and as treatment specialists both in the public and private domain.

Future employment opportunities, according to experts in the field of criminal justice, will continue to grow at the federal, state and local levels. New positions include computer analysts specializing in Internet crimes, forensic technicians and criminal profilers.

Students completing this program will receive an A.A.S. degree from West Virginia Northern. The program is also designed for students preparing for transfer to West Liberty University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Note: Although a cumulative GPA of 2.0 meets requirements for graduation at WVNCC, students who do not meet the GPA (or other special) requirements at the transfer institution for admission to this baccalaureate program may not be admitted to the program until they are able to meet those requirements. Students should consult with an advisor at the transfer institution early in their program to check on this, and other requirements for admission to the baccalaureate program.