Academic Catalogs

Police Academy, Associate in Arts Degree

Banner Code: 2_AA_CJPA

Control Number: 03941

Financial Aid Eligible


As a prerequisite for admittance to the Regular Basic Course (Police Academy) and the Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course (State Investigators Academy), applicants must certify that they are free from any physical, behavioral, emotional, or mental condition that would adversely affect their behavior so as to create an undue risk of harm to themselves, other students, instructors, or other persons. If the Program Director determines an applicant is not free from such a physical, behavioral, emotional, or mental condition, the Program Director, with the agreement of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning, shall, as soon as possible, arrange for such an applicant to be examined by one of the following: 1) a licensed physician, or 2) a licensed clinical psychologist who has a Ph.D. in psychology and at least five years of postgraduate experience in diagnosis and treatment of emotional and mental disorders. This expert will determine if the denial of admission to the program was based upon reasonable grounds. If so, the applicant will not be admitted to the program. If the expert determines reasonable grounds do not exist, the applicant will be admitted to the program. Applicants may appeal the denial of admission to the Division Dean, on the grounds they have met this prerequisite. Following the appeal to the Dean, applicants may make a final written appeal to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning.

Maintenance of a satisfactory physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental condition is required throughout enrollment in the Basic Course Programs. If at any time the Program Director determines a student is not meeting this requirement, the Program Director may refer the student to a physician or clinical psychologist and follow the procedures outlined in the preceding paragraph. The physician or psychologist will determine if the student should be dismissed from the program. Students may appeal their dismissal to the Division Dean. Following the appeal to the Dean, students may make a final written appeal to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning of the college. The College does not assume any responsibility for the student’s physical, behavioral, emotional or mental condition. The student at all times is personally responsible for these conditions and is obligated to report in writing to the course instructor if the student’s ability to participate in the course is impaired in any way.

Basic Course Programs

  1. Regular Basic Course (RBC)
    (Police Academy)
    1. CJ G064 Police Academy - Regular Basic Course is the required courses identified as the Regular Basic Course (Police Academy Program). The Academy entrance requirements will be verified through successful completion of CJ G054 Police Academy, Regular Basic Course, Orientation (Pre-Academy orientation Class). The following prerequisites and requirements are applicable to the Regular Basic Course.
    2. Students must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
    3. Students must not have any Federal or State Felony convictions.
    4. Students must obtain from the Department of Justice written certification that there is nothing in their criminal history background which would disqualify them from owning, possessing, or having under their control, any firearm capable of being concealed on their person.
    5. Students must certify their physical fitness for the course by obtaining and providing the college with the results of a medical examination including a resting EKG, verified and interpreted by a physician (Agency affiliates refer to item #10).
    6. Students must successfully complete a P.O.S.T. prescribed reading and writing skills examination.
    7. Students must pass a job-related physical agility test.
    8. Students must participate in an oral interview to determine their suitability for the academy program and potential for employment as a police officer.
    9. Students must pass a Traits Profile Assessment and be free from any physical, behavioral, emotional, or mental condition that would adversely affect their behavior so as to create an undue risk of harm to themselves, students, instructors or other persons.
    10. Students must execute an agreement assuming the risk of harm from participating in the course and releasing the District from any liability from such harm.
    11. Agency affiliates are expected to meet the minimal standards prescribed by P.O.S.T.
    12. Contact the Criminal Justice Training Center office for Academy admission procedures.
  2. Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course (SIBC)
    (State and County Welfare Fraud Investigator Academy)
    1. CJ G090 Specialized Investigator's Basic Course (SIBC) is the required courses for the Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course (SIBC). The following prerequisites and requirements are applicable to the Specialized Investigators’ Basic Course:
    2. Students must be employed by a state or county agency and sponsored by the employing agency.
    3. Students must be appointed  a state or county agency into a specialized investigator or welfare fraud Investigator position as described in California Penal Code Sections 832.5 and 113510.5.
    4. Students must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
    5. Students must not have any Federal or State Felony convictions.
    6. Students must successfully pass a California Peace Officer Background investigation by their employing agency.
    7. Students must execute an agreement assuming the risk of harm from participating in the course and releasing the District from any liability from such harm.
    8. Students are expected to meet the minimal standards prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.
    9. Contact the Criminal Justice Training Center office for Specialized Investigators’ Course admission procedures.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills, abilities, and knowledge to enter a peace officer field-training program, and execute the duties of a peace officer in society.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.

Course Title Units
Required Courses
CJ G064Police Academy - Regular Basic Course24.5-33
or CJ G090 Specialized Investigator's Basic Course (SIBC)
Major Total24.5-33
GE Pattern (Local, CSU GE-Breadth, or IGETC)18-39
Total Units60

Recommended Program Sequence

These sequences are general course maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, completion of short-term certificates, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. However, this may not be an appropriate path for all students.  The two-year sequence is based on English and Math placement and meeting other course prerequisites. Students are advised to meet with a GWC Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Year 1:

Course Title Units
Semester 1
CJ G064Police Academy - Regular Basic Course24.5-33
or CJ G090 Specialized Investigator's Basic Course (SIBC)
Units24.5-33
Course Title Units
Semester 2
ENGL G100Freshman Composition ^4
Area C: Arts & Humanities course3
Area E: Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development or Area A: English Language, Area B: Natural Sciences, Area C: Arts & Humanities, Area D: Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Elective coursework for a total of 3 units3
Units13

Year 2:

Course Title Units
Semester 3
Area B: Natural Sciences course3
Area D: Social & Behavioral Sciences course3
Elective coursework for a total of 3 units3
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of Algebra 2 in High School with a "C" or better):
MATH G030Intermediate Algebra4
MATH G040Accelerated Elementary and Intermediate Algebra5
MATH G080Pre-Statistics5
If Math competency is satisfied, take Elective coursework for a total of 3 units.3
Units12-14
Course Title Units
Semester 4
Cultural Diversity requirement #3
Elective coursework to reach a minimum of 60 units0-7.5
Units3-10.5
Total minimum units required60
#

Cultural Diversity requirement list of approved courses

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Program sequence may not be recommended for students who self-place into ENGL G100S. Students should see a Counselor for appropriate advisement.