Law Enforcement

Associate of Applied Science Degree

• Corrections
• Law Enforcement

Associate of Criminal Justice

(575) 527-7746

The Law Enforcement program provides classroom instruction leading to an associate degree in the fields of corrections or law enforcement. 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.

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.

The primary mission of corrections is protection of the public; however, many of the fields are involved with 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.

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.

It is important to note that an articulation agreement exists with the Department of Public Safety of New Mexico.

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. (Grade-point requirements apply.)

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.

Associate Degree:
Corrections/Law Enforcement (69 credits)

NOTE: Courses appearing in italics may be applied toward any bachelor’s degree at NMSU. Additionally, courses listed in the Technical and Related Requirements section may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree in Applied Studies or Individualized Studies at NMSU.

Associate Degree: Criminal Justice (66 credits)

NOTE: All courses listed under “Core Requirements” and “Major Requirements” may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at NMSU.