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Criminal Justice: Corrections - Certificate (C50)

The Corrections certificate program is designed to prepare future correctional officers for the duties and tasks related to the field of corrections. Students completing the certificate will gain knowledge and competencies to enter the field of corrections at the state or federal level.

Work and Employment

The type of jobs for which it would train graduates would be both federal and state correctional officers, who occupy the prisons of our district.

Follow this link for career information.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
• Stephen F. Miko, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice, 815-835-6256

Total Hours Required - 18 Hours

Major Field Requirements

• CJS101 - Intro to Criminal Justice ( 3 Semester Hours)

  The course examines the history, development and philosophy of the American criminal justice system. It includes discussions of the types of agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice and policies and procedures followed by those agencies, using a general career-oriented approach. Specific lectures include those topics such as criminal law, criminal offenses and offenders, and agencies responsible for the prevention and control of crime. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CRJ 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• CJS120 - Introduction to Corrections ( 3 Semester Hours)

  The course is an introduction and analysis of punishment, custody and rehabilitation as administered by law enforcement, courts and corrections. Emphasis is placed on sociological study of the rehabilitation process. Includes visitations by practitioners and clients, as well as field trips to various types of institutions. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CRJ 911 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• CJS200 - Ethics in Criminal Justice ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Ethics is the study of right and wrong, good and evil. It involves all aspects of who we are-our minds, hearts, relationships with each other, and the intentions and motives for our actions. During this course students will become more aware and open to moral and ethical issues in criminal justice and students learn to develop critical thinking and analytical skills causing them to be more personally responsible. The educational process of ethics is recognizing how criminal justice is engaged in a process of authority, coercive power and selective discretionary authority. This course will develop whole sight in creation of a vision of ethical and moral standards within the criminal justice environment. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY103 - Introduction to Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts, theories, principles, and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological, behavioral, cognitive, personality, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY217 - Abnormal Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Abnormal psychology seeks to examine abnormal behavior from a number of contemporary theoretical and therapeutic viewpoints, with reference to relevant research findings. Major diagnostic categories are explored. The diagnosis of disorders, their symptoms, etiologies, courses, treatment, outcomes, and related research methods and findings are core to the course. Applications to daily life, allied health, criminal justice, human development, and various other clinical settings will be common. Prerequisite: PSY 103 or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): PSY 905 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY270 - Drugs:Examining Effects/Social ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to improve knowledge about substance use. It will help the student understand the general phenomena of substance use, etiology, psychological and biological effects, impact on individual functioning, legal, social, and treatment issues. Students will acquire a broad overview of the field. PSY 103 or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Suggested Program

First Semester - 9 Hours

• CJS101 - Intro to Criminal Justice ( 3 Semester Hours)

  The course examines the history, development and philosophy of the American criminal justice system. It includes discussions of the types of agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice and policies and procedures followed by those agencies, using a general career-oriented approach. Specific lectures include those topics such as criminal law, criminal offenses and offenders, and agencies responsible for the prevention and control of crime. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CRJ 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• CJS200 - Ethics in Criminal Justice ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Ethics is the study of right and wrong, good and evil. It involves all aspects of who we are-our minds, hearts, relationships with each other, and the intentions and motives for our actions. During this course students will become more aware and open to moral and ethical issues in criminal justice and students learn to develop critical thinking and analytical skills causing them to be more personally responsible. The educational process of ethics is recognizing how criminal justice is engaged in a process of authority, coercive power and selective discretionary authority. This course will develop whole sight in creation of a vision of ethical and moral standards within the criminal justice environment. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY103 - Introduction to Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts, theories, principles, and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological, behavioral, cognitive, personality, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Second Semester - 9 Hours

• CJS120 - Introduction to Corrections ( 3 Semester Hours)

  The course is an introduction and analysis of punishment, custody and rehabilitation as administered by law enforcement, courts and corrections. Emphasis is placed on sociological study of the rehabilitation process. Includes visitations by practitioners and clients, as well as field trips to various types of institutions. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CRJ 911 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY217 - Abnormal Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Abnormal psychology seeks to examine abnormal behavior from a number of contemporary theoretical and therapeutic viewpoints, with reference to relevant research findings. Major diagnostic categories are explored. The diagnosis of disorders, their symptoms, etiologies, courses, treatment, outcomes, and related research methods and findings are core to the course. Applications to daily life, allied health, criminal justice, human development, and various other clinical settings will be common. Prerequisite: PSY 103 or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): PSY 905 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY270 - Drugs:Examining Effects/Social ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to improve knowledge about substance use. It will help the student understand the general phenomena of substance use, etiology, psychological and biological effects, impact on individual functioning, legal, social, and treatment issues. Students will acquire a broad overview of the field. PSY 103 or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week