Monroe County Community College is expanding its criminal justice offerings beginning with the Fall 2021 semester in response to high-demand for a wide range of criminal justice professions in the region over the next five years. Students can study Criminal Justice, CJ-Corrections or CJ-Law Enforcement. Registration for Fall 2021 is currently underway with classes beginning August 25, 2021.
According to the State of Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Marketing Information and Strategic Initiatives, there will be about 1,330 openings in the state of Michigan each year – a growth rate of 6.6 percent – for police and sheriff’s patrol officers. The statewide wage range for this profession is $22 to $33 per hour. In Southeast Michigan, there will be 90 openings annually, a growth rate of 7.9 percent, at the same wage range.
There will be approximately 730 annual openings (a 14.6 percent increase each year) in the state for paralegals at a range of $19-$29 per hour. In Southeast Michigan, that figure is 30 annual openings – a growth rate of 18.8 percent – at $18-$29 per hour.
“MCCC has a long and proud history of training many of the area’s law enforcement, corrections and public safety professionals and leaders,” said Dr. Kojo Quartey, president of the college. “As the field has continued to evolve, especially in recent years, the time is right for us to make these changes so the future professionals in this field have every opportunity to be appropriately trained.”
After taking four foundational, common criminal justice focused courses, students will then take additional courses that will allow them to specialize.
“Students will take Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJ 151), Issues in Criminal Justice Ethics (CRJ 160), Criminal Law (CRJ 251) and Criminal Procedure (CRJ 261) for a strong 12 credit foundation,” explained Daniel Wood, coordinator and faculty for the criminal justice program. “These four courses build a foundation that every professional in the criminal justice system needs, from the local level to the state and federal level.”
Students interested in earning a certificate (21 credit hours) will take English Composition and Principles of Sociology along with another three-credit criminal justice course, Community Corrections (CRJ 270) for the CJ – Corrections certificate or Police Operations (CRJ 256) for the CJ – Law Enforcement/Security certificate.
“With increasing awareness of the need for professionals in these fields to have a stronger background in social sciences and a professional emphasis on community policing in most local, state and federal departments, we have added several sociology and social work-based courses to the electives students can choose from when pursuing an associate in applied science degree or following the transfer pathway,” added Wood.
“In the associate degree programs, in addition to the 19 – 20 general education courses that all degree programs require, students will take an additional psychology and additional speech or communications course. They can round out their 61-62 total credit requirement selecting nine credit hours, or three more courses, from a list of another dozen or so criminal justice courses or sociology courses.”
Criminal Justice courses that are now being offered, in addition to the required courses above, also include Community Policing (CRJ 155), Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation (CRJ 156), Juvenile Delinquency (CRJ 252), Fundamentals of Criminology (CRJ 253), Victimology (CRJ 254), Police Organization and Administration (CRJ 255), Police Operations (CRJ 256) the American Court System (CRJ 260).
“These changes open up a world of possibilities for future students in this field,” said Wood. “Now those who are interested in working with youth or have an interest in mental health can clearly see a pathway for them in the criminal justice arena. These programs will prepare students for careers in juvenile detention centers, probation supervision, corrections facilities, community policing and more.” According to MBLMISI, regional demand for social and human service assistants are anticipated to be 150 openings each year in Southeast Michigan, a 16.3 percent increase per year. The annual wage for professionals in this field range from $12 – $22 per hour.
Members of the Criminal Justice Club and Wood will be participating in several activities, including a “Hidden in Plain Sight” substance abuse awareness demonstration for parents, in conjunction with the Michigan State Police during both the Lenawee County Fair (July 27 – 31) and the Monroe County Fair (August 1 – 7). “We look forward to raising awareness in the community of these new programs, along with providing some very useful information for parents about the challenges of keeping their kids safe. We really appreciate the collaborative relationship that has been developed between the MSP, the Monroe County Sheriffs, other local agencies and MCCC’s criminal Justice Program,” said Wood. “That cooperation and collaboration makes for a much stronger program and ensuring our students get the training they need to be successful in these challenging and rewarding careers.”
For more information about the new Criminal Justice programs at MCCC visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/cj. To learn more about applying to MCCC or registering for classes visit www.monroeccc.edu and select the Future Students tab or call 734-384-4104.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition.
The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.