Program Details
Career Studies Certificate Law Enforcement
Career Studies CertificateEastern Shore Community College
This program is included in: G3
The Law Enforcement Career Studies Certificate (Plan Code 221-463-01) provides students with the foundational skills necessary to pursue a career in law enforcement and other areas of criminal justice. The curriculum features classes related to the general system of American criminal justice, an introduction to criminal law and juvenile delinquency, and specific course related to law enforcement operations at a basic and intermediate level. Courses in the program may be eligible for transfer into programs at four-year schools.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to: Demonstrate effective written and communication skills in the context of criminal justice Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in the context of criminal justice Display foundational knowledge of the criminal justice system Apply common operational concepts in policing Display a foundational knowledge of criminal law and procedure Apply verbal de-escalation techniques Mitigate the impact of discrimination and bias in criminal justice operations
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Law Enforcement Career Studies Certificate (Plan Code 221-463-01) provides students with the foundational skills necessary to pursue a career in law enforcement and other areas of criminal justice. The curriculum features classes related to the general system of American criminal justice, an introduction to criminal law and juvenile delinquency, and specific course related to law enforcement operations at a basic and intermediate level. Courses in the program may be eligible for transfer into programs at four-year schools. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Courses in the program may be eligible for transfer into programs at four-year schools. Meet with your advisor early if you intend to transfer. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students must earn 25% of their credits at ESCC for an Associate degree from our institution. Students who transfer to ESCC with a completed Associate degree will be awarded SDV 100 and will have their transcript evaluated for other course transfer. Students who transfer to ESCC with a completed Bachelor degree from a U.S. college or university will be awarded SDV 100, ENG 111 and ENG 112. The transcript will be evaluated for other course transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | ESCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree concurrently, while in high school, or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://es.vccs.edu/admissions-aid/credits/request-credit-for-prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | YES! (Your Eastern Shore) is ESCC's culture of hospitality. YES! encourages students, teachers and staff to start from a positive perspective, develop personal YES!! visions and statements, and take proud ownership of the college and the Shore community. We invite you to discover your YES! at Your Eastern Shore Community College. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | The student's catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | We offer five transfer degrees with Guaranteed Admission Agreements with all public and many private four-year institutions.; https://www.vccs.edu/transfer-programs/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies -Specialization in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Criminal Justice, A.A.S (formerly Administration of Justice, A.A.S.) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Criminal Justice: Homeland Security Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Criminal Justice Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Public Law) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Marymount University | Criminal Justice (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Criminology and Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Criminal Justice with concentration in Forensic Crime Scene Investigation, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | A.S. in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
Regent University | B.S. in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
25-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. | Protective Service Occupations |
11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete
