Southwestern College

Become a part of the top school in south San Diego County and see why Southwestern College has been a part of California's community colleges since 1961. The 156-acre campus is nestled between San Diego and the U.S.-Mexico border in South County, where it plays an important role in the intellectual growth of the county's 400,000 residents.

Southwestern College offers more than 285 associate degree and certificate options while serving approximately 18,000 students annually to reach their learning goals. Host of a noncredit courses are designed to enhance the personal and professional developments and are also offered at the College's Continuing Education department.

General Description

Administration of Justice and Criminal Justice programs include the study of the specific laws, statutes, and procedures governing the criminal justice system, as well as the supporting theory and concepts. Through the aforementioned programs, one will discover the historical development of criminal law and its relationship with the criminal justice system, and also its application today in juvenile and adult crime.

Associate in Arts Degree

Students pursuing an Associate in Arts Degree who wish to use the Administration of Justice program as their major in order to attend a four-year institution would benefit from a criminal justice associate in arts degree. The classes in this program are carefully chosen to prepare the student for typically required course work at a college or university offering a degree at a bachelor's or higher level, while allowing them to complete a two-year associate degree. Southwestern College offers all of the required courses needed for Criminal Justice majors to complete their lower-division degree.

Associate in Science Degree

Students of the administration of justice program can receive an associate in science degree in our criminal justice and administration of justice programs. Certificates of achievement are also available in the three fast growing and high-demand fields of law enforcement, corrections, and forensics.

Administration of Justice degree candidates must complete the courses required for the major, including all requirements for degree candidates and at least one of the following emphasis listed as the "Corrections Emphasis," the "Law Enforcement Emphasis," or the "Forensics Emphasis."

The two associates degrees in administration of justice and criminal justice differ in that the A.S. will increase skills for immediate employment in the field of law enforcement and corrections while the A.A. is designed to help transfer students whose academic goals are in the criminal justice field.

While earning your Associate of Science Degree, receive your specialization in:

• Corrections
• Forensics
• Law Enforcement Emphasis
• Crime Scene Investigator

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