The School of Justice Studies (which houses the Administration of Justice Program) strives to provide our students with the legal, ethical, and educational background necessary to pursue a career in a criminal justice-related field and to successfully transition into a 4- year academic program. The criminal justice system is a diversified occupational area with available employment opportunities on the federal, state and county levels: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol, municipal police departments, county sheriff's departments, federal and state departments of correction, probation and parole.

The Associate in Science for Transfer degree in Administration of Justice provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.

The School of Justice Studies (SoJS) prepares students for entry into the criminal justice system and related professions, as well as those transferring to the California State University (CSU) system, other four-year universities, or law school. Full college credit is granted for each course successfully completed, and an Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree or Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of the respective program chosen.

Program Description

The School of Justice Studies offers four A.S. degrees and three Certificates of Achievement.

1. A.S. Degree or Certificate of Achievement: Criminology Emphasis - Ideally suited for students interested in understanding the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behavior in both the individual and society.
2. A.S. Degree or Certificate of Achievement: Law Enforcement Emphasis - Ideally suited for students interested in understanding the nature of law enforcement as it pertains to enforcing and detecting crime, investigations, apprehending law violators, preparing a case for trial, and crime prevention.
3. A.S. Degree or Certificate of Achievement: Legal Studies Emphasis - Ideally suited for students interested in understanding the history, philosophy, ethics, and practice of the American legal system.
4. A.S.-T. Degree: Administration of Justice for Transfer - Designed for students who want to earn a Baccalaureate Degree in Criminal Justice. Students successfully completing an A.S.-T degree are guaranteed admission to a Criminal Justice program with junior standing at one of the California State University (CSU) campuses.

SBCC offers a Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG). A TAG is a contractual agreement between the student, SBCC, and specific four-year colleges or universities. This includes six University of California ( *UC) institutions, six California State Institutions (CSU), seven California private institutions, nine out-of-state institutions, as well as Honors Transfer Agreements with ten institutions and 8 CSUs without campus impaction. Students must enroll in the TAG program and work with a TAG advisor.