The Law Enforcement program provides classroom instruction leading
to an associate degree in the fields of corrections, law enforcement or criminal justice.
This program provides courses to prepare for entry-level
careers in agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as
private agencies. Some of the career areas available to graduates are
law enforcement, private security and related services, adult and
juvenile corrections, probation and parole, law, and others.
Those currently working as career officers in law enforcement can
also benefit from the program, which can provide them with a better
understanding of their roles in the criminal justice system while
helping them prepare for higher level positions within their organizations.
Required Skills and Abilities
All emergency first responders require that the student be able to—
lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
carry out emergency and non-emergency patient care, including,
light extrication (i.e., be able to assume a variety of postural
positions and be capable of physical maneuvers ranging from
crawling, kneeling, squatting, twisting, turning, and bending, to
climbing stairs and ladders)
withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme
heat, cold, and moisture.
The Corrections Option
The Corrections option emphasizes the correctional aspect of the
criminal justice systems and offers a broad understanding of correctional
institutions and alternatives. General studies are offered to
students seeking employment in confinement facilities, institutional
security, and other similar programs. The student also is prepared to
work in adult and juvenile correctional agencies at the local, state,
and federal levels.
Workers in the corrections field are responsible for overseeing individuals
who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have
been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a jail,
reformatory, or penitentiary. The majority of officers are employed
by local, county, state, and federal institutions.
While the primary mission of corrections is protection of the public,
many officers are involved in the treatment, education, and
reintegration of offenders. These officers may find employment as
wardens, jail administrators, program coordinators and counselors,
public information officers, correctional trainers, case managers,
probation/parole officers, corrections officers, detention officers or
other related careers.
NOTE: An articulation agreement exists with the Corrections Department
of New Mexico that makes it possible to receive college
credit for experience.
The Law Enforcement Option
The Law Enforcement option emphasizes the law enforcement aspect
of the criminal justice system. This degree offers the law enforcement
student a general understanding of the police officer’s
multifaceted role in the United States. It also prepares the student
with the basic foundations of police work for possible employment
opportunities with local, state and federal governments, and private
industry.
Most law enforcement officers are employed by the security industry
and local, county, and state governments. They have duties that
range from providing security to controlling traffic to preventing
and investigating crimes. They maintain order, enforce laws and
ordinances, issue traffic summonses, investigate accidents, present
evidence in court, serve legal documents for the court system,
and apprehend, arrest and process prisoners. Career opportunities
include positions as private investigators, security officers, loss-prevention
officers, police officers, sheriff and deputy officers, criminal
investigators, game wardens, private detectives, and bailiffs.
Many law enforcement agencies encourage the applicants to take
post secondary school training in law enforcement-related subjects.
Many entry-level applicants for police jobs have completed some
formal post secondary education and a significant number are college
graduates. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset in many
federal agencies and urban departments.
Additional information on professional requirements and qualifications
may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau
of Labor Statistics, at www.bls.gov.
NOTE: An articulation agreement exists with the Department of
Public Safety of New Mexico that makes it possible to receive college
credit for experience.
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
The associate of criminal justice introduces students to three facets
of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections.
Broadly interdisciplinary—embracing the study of law, the humanities,
and the natural, behavioral, and social sciences—the curriculum
prepares students to transition into the NMSU bachelor’s degree
program in criminal justice, or the bachelor of applied studies, at the
junior level.
In order to receive credit toward either the associate degree or the
bachelor’s degree, a student must earn a C or better in all courses.
Student must have at least nine credits in either
AREA IV or AREA V.
When selecting courses for each of the areas listed above,
follow “The New Mexico General Education Common Core”
guidelines as described in the 2010 Catalog
