The Criminal Justice Department has been in existence since the late 1960s, and has educated tens of  thousands of students interested in the professions of law enforcement, probation, corrections, criminal courts, and private security.  Many of those students have completed the program requirements and gone on to lead successful careers within the criminal justice profession.  In addition to two full-time faculty who have decades of criminal justice experience, the department consists of a number of part-time faculty who are presently working in the criminal justice field, in various capacities of leadership and expertise.  The Criminal Justice Option Degree curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid base for additional study at a four-year institution and for entry level employment in local, county, state, or federal criminal justice agencies, as well as in private security.  Completion of the Law Enforcement Option Certificate exceeds the minimum P.O.S.T. requirements for entry level employment as peace officers.  The Corrections Officer Program Certificate is designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge required for employed criminal justice professionals, and provides technical knowledge and skills based on new legal rulings.​​