Cert in Criminal Justice and Corrections

The Criminal Justice certificate prepares students for the training and testing steps involved in entering police and corrections academies, or for jobs in the private sector. Required courses cover an introduction to criminal justice, concepts of criminal law, community relations and diversity, and criminal procedures. Students then select three courses from a list that includes evidence, report writing and courtroom procedures, patrol, investigation, juvenile law, drug enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, criminology and victimology. The certificate totals 21 to 22 units. Suggested outside courses such as business communications, public speaking and abnormal psychology may add useful insight but do not count toward the requirements. Details here reflect the 2026-2027 catalog, and students should confirm current requirements with a Ventura College counselor before enrolling.