Administration of Justice

Effective: Fall 2024
Associate in Arts Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

The Administration of Justice AA Degree prepares students to serve in law, law enforcement, related non-profit agencies, probation, corrections and other justice-related careers by providing in-depth knowledge of criminal law, evidence, procedure, investigations and forensics. It also develops students' interpersonal and written communication skills and explores social and cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness, and the fundamentals of leadership.


What can I do with this major?

The Administration of Justice Associate in Arts will prepare you for entry-level careers in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, related non-profit agencies, security and court administration, probation, and correctional agencies. 


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Law & Public Safety

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

16 units

ADMJ 50
Introduction to the Administration of Justice

3 units
This is an introductory course that examines the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. The course covers the history, theory, and philosophy of administration of justice and the evolution of the principles, operational practices, and structure of the police, courts, and corrections agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, and the challenges and opportunities for law enforcement in an increasingly diverse society. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal processes, and sentencing and incarceration policies.
Course Details:
Terms Offered: Summer, Fall, Spring

ADMJ 60
Criminal Law

3 units
This course offers an analysis of the doctrine of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes against persons, property, morals, and public welfare. Special emphasis is placed on the classification of crime, the general elements of particular crimes, and defenses to crime. This course utilizes case law and case studies to introduce students to criminal law and will include some limited discussion of prosecution and defense decision making, criminal culpability, and defenses to crime.
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall, Summer

English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

4 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Semester 2

16 units

ADMJ 42
Leadership and Integrity

3 units
This course will examine the impact of leadership, effective communication and organizational integrity in establishing trust in the administration of justice system. Beginning with initial contact with citizens to adjudication and punishment, this course will analyze the challenges of the complex procedures and processes that impact the legal system and the lives of people. The course will emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and ethical leadership by individuals and organizations as a philosophy.
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

ADMJ 61
Evidence

3 units
This course examines the origins, development, philosophy and the constitutional basis for the rules of evidence. During the course of the semester, we will explore the rules and policies governing the kinds of information which can be received at trial, how evidence can be properly developed and obtained by law enforcement officers, and how evidence may be considered by the judge and/or jury. Topics are considered from both a theoretical and a practical viewpoint.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 50
  2. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 60
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

Math Course for General Education: Statistics is recommended (PSY 5 or MTH 43 or BUS 19)

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

4 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Semester 3

15 units

ADMJ 63
Criminal Investigation

3 units
This course addresses the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, surveillance, source of information, utility of evidence, scientific analysis of evidence and the role of the investigator in the trial process.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 50
    2. and
  2. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 60
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

ADMJ 70
Community Relations

3 units
This course examines the complex, dynamic relationship between communities and the justice system in addressing crime and conflict with an emphasis on the challenges and prospects of administering justice within a diverse multicultural population. Topics covered may include crime prevention, restorative justice, conflict resolution, and ethics.
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

3 units

Semester 4

13-14 units

Major Elective Course #1

2-3 units
Choose one course from the list below.
See the full list: (Click here)

Major Elective Course #2

3 units
Choose one course from the list below.
See the full list: (Click here)

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term. PE course recommended

1 unit
GE

Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

4 units

Major Electives

Choose 2 courses from the following list:

ADMJ 40
Juvenile Procedures

3 units
This course is an examination of the origin, development, and organization of the juvenile justice system as it evolved in the U.S. justice system. The course explores the theories that focus on juvenile law, courts and processes, and the constitutional protections extended to juveniles in the U.S. justice system.
Terms Offered: Spring

ADMJ 41
Legal Persuasion and Argument

3 units
In this course, students will learn strategies for recognizing and evaluating the conflicting statements of others, including victims, lay witnesses, expert witnesses, and other professionals within the field of administration of justice. They will also learn how to gather, analyze and interpret statutory law, case law, data and other information. Upon completion of this course, students will also learn to think critically and independently and support their own written and oral persuasive arguments with facts, research and logic.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 50
Terms Offered: Fall

ADMJ 54
Investigative Reporting

3 units
Investigative reports with emphasis upon accuracy and necessary details. Includes arrest reports, incident reports and miscellaneous field reports. Techniques and methods used to cover information; how to analyze and present information in a clear and concise report.
Course Details:
Terms Offered: Spring

ADMJ 55
Introduction to Correctional Science

3 units
This course provides a critical analysis of punishment and the modern correctional process as utilized in the rehabilitation of adult and juvenile offenders. Exploration of the various types of punishment, alternatives to punishment, types of correctional institutions, and the impact of punishment on the criminal justice system.
Terms Offered: Summer, Spring, Fall

ADMJ 74
Gangs and Drugs1

2 units
Definition of a gang and gang activity. Historical and cultural aspects. Inter-relationships among local, national and international gangs, including prison gangs. Gang activity in relation to drug trafficking.
Course Details:
Terms Offered: Rotating

ADMJ 80
Criminal Court Process

3 units
This course examines due process and the constitutional, statutory and rule-based issues that arise in the formal processing of a criminal case from pre-arrest through trial and appeal.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 50
  2. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 60
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

ADMJ 85
Introduction to Forensics

3 units
This course provides an introduction to the role of forensics in criminal investigations. It examines the methods utilized in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, pattern evidence, instruments, firearms, documents and controlled substances.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ADMJ 50
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall
  • 1 - This course is offered every other year. Check the schedule.
Total Units: 60-61 units
This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.