The Administration of Justice program prepares students for entry-level positions in criminal justice and for transfer to the California State Universities. There are three components in administration of justice – law enforcement, the court system, and corrections.  Law enforcement is the gateway function and includes police, sheriffs, and federal law enforcement agencies.  The court system is responsible for adjudicating crimes as presented by the prosecutor. The court-room work group includes the judge, the attorneys, bailiffs, court clerks and court reporters. Corrections which comprise incarceration and community-based corrections, include custody officers, probation and parole officers, program counselors, and other rehabilitative services.

The Administration of Justice department at Los Medanos College offers an Associate of Science for Transfer Degree which can be completed in 2 to 3 years by a full-time student.  The Certificate of Achievement in Administration of Justice includes the core curriculum of the Associate of Science Degree and may be completed by a full-time student in two semesters.  The Certificates of Achievement in Criminal Investigations and in Criminal Law may be completed in two semesters each by a full-time student.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Systematically research, cite, compare and contrast previous cases to current case

- Demonstrate culturally-sensitive communication skills in interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects

- Communicate findings through accurate written reports

- Prepare students to take and successfully pass entry-level industry examinations
 

The Administration of Justice program prepares students for entry-level positions in criminal justice and for transfer to California State Universities. There are three components in administration of justice – law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Law enforcement is the gateway function and includes police, sheriffs, and federal law enforcement agencies. The court system is responsible for adjudicating crimes as presented by the prosecutor. The courtroom work group includes the judge, the attorneys, bailiffs, court clerks and court reporters. Corrections, which comprise incarceration and community-based corrections, include custody officers, probation and parole officers, program counselors, and other rehabilitative services.

The Certificate of Achievement in Administration of Justice includes the core curriculum of the Associate of Science Degree and may be completed by a full-time student in two semesters. The Certificates of Achievement in Criminal Investigations and in Criminal Law may be completed in two semesters each by a full-time student.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

- Identify and protect a crime scene, label and process all evidence.

- Write an accurate report based on evidentiary findings.

- Properly follow the chain of custody for evidence.

- Accurately testify findings in court.

- Prepare students to take and successfully pass entry-level industry examinations.

Certificate of Achievement in Basic Law Enforcement Academy – Intensive is a 25-unit program designed for persons seeking fulltime employment in law enforcement and for those who have been recently hired by a local law enforcement agency. It is certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and is presented in the intensive full-time format consisting of 1,020 hours of instruction delivered over 26 weeks. The content includes Leadership, Officer Safety, Use of Force, Legal Authority/Individual Rights, Police Vehicle Operation, Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving/Decision-Making, Communication, Ethics, Stress Tolerance and Emotional Maturity. Upon successful completion the student will receive a POST Certificate of Completion and is eligible for employment as a peace officer in most California jurisdictions. Mandatory materials fee due on first day on instruction.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

- Be academically prepared to obtain an entry-level or midlevel position within the Criminal Justice System.

- Apply critical thinking to research, evaluate, analyze and synthesize criminal justice information.

- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to take and pass local, state, and federal law enforcement entry level examination or career advancement examinations.

- Appropriately apply the hands-on and technological skills necessary to succeed in the field of criminal justice.

- Demonstrate excellent communication skills (oral and/or written) that need to be demonstrated in these carried professions.

- Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility in their decisions.

This certificate provides students who want to work as a school aide, paraprofessional educator, after-school aide or teacher assistant with essential knowledge of child development, how to work with diverse populations and children with special needs, hands-on curriculum development, and fieldwork in an elementary school setting. In addition, they have an option to focus on behavior guidance, literacy development or health and safety. A recipient will qualify under state licensing regulations to be a preschool teacher and will have the course work to earn the Associate Teacher California Child Development permit. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses.

Career Opportunities

Students will be qualified to work in a licensed facility as a preschool teachers and will have the coursework to earn the Associate Teacher permit which is needed to work in Title 5 state-funded preschools and Head Start centers. They will have competencies to work as paraeducators, after-school aides and teacher assistants in an elementary school as well. Labor Market data shows a significant undersupply of Teacher Assistants compared to the demand for this occupation in the Bay region and in the East Bay sub-region (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.) There is a projected annual gap of about 4,034 students in the Bay region and 1,485 students in the East Bay Sub-Region. In addition, as California school districts struggle to find teachers, these jobs might prove to be a pipeline to credentialed jobs. Some California school districts have initiated programs to provide financial aid to aides and paraprofessionals to earn degrees and credentials.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Demonstrate an understanding of typical and atypical development in children from birth through elementary school age by planning curriculum that meets the diverse needs and learning styles of all children;

- Demonstrate an understanding of child development theory, pedagogy, and current research, and their application to responsive and reflective practice in early care and elementary school settings.

The Early Childhood Intervention Assistant Certificate builds a foundation of understanding and skills for those interested in providing inclusive services to all children and families. The program meets the state competencies for an Early Childhood Intervention assistant; prepares students to specifically work with young children from birth to eight years of age who may have special needs, and provides the opportunity for students to participate in fieldwork experiences where they must apply learned theoretical models and early intervention methods in inclusive educational settings as well as special day classes that serve young children with disabilities.

Career Opportunities

This is a growing field as more children are identified with special needs and therefore they need accommodations.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Student will demonstrate an understanding of atypical development in children from birth through age 8 by designing an environment and planning curriculum that meets the diverse needs and learning styles of all children.

This certificate prepares future, early childhood professionals, to work with diverse children in early childhood settings. The program includes academic instruction and field experiences. Students learn early childhood curriculum, and pedagogy and integrate developmentally appropriate practices into curriculum design for teaching young children. Additionally, students learn how to build culturally responsive partnerships with children, families and communities. The Early Childhood Development Basic Teacher Certificate of Achievement fulfills the early childhood education units required for the California Child Development Teacher Permit (general education units also required.

Career Opportunities

Those who hold the Child Development Teacher Permit are authorized to provide service in the care, development and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise an Associate Teacher, Assistant and aide. Many early childhood development units are transferable to four-year institutions for elective credit, but a counselor should be consulted for specific transfer information.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Student will be able to observe, reflect, develop and carry out an activity that is developmentally appropriate for a group of young children.

- Student will be able to demonstrate their understanding of children’s development through documentation of their skills.

This certificate of achievement requires 16 units of coursework in ECD and will include those courses considered to be the core courses focusing on the principles of child development and hands-on application. This certificate aligns with Community Care Licensing requirements for a preschool teacher of young children and the Associate Teacher Child Development Permit requirements.

Career Opportunities

Certificate completers will meet the requirements to be a Teacher Assistant in various child care settings as well as meet all Preschool Teacher requirements for Community Care Licensing. There is a substantial need for early childhood preschool teachers and teacher assistants and the job market can support these programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will be able to use their understanding of young children’s characteristics and needs and multiple interacting influences on young children’s development and learning to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for all children.

This certificate provides students who are interested in becoming Transitional Kindergarten teachers with the necessary Early Childhood Education units required by the Department of Education to fulfill the requirements of the position. It provides in-depth knowledge of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks (with which all Transitional Kindergarten curriculum must be aligned), as well as instruction in effective behavior management strategies, strategies for working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, and knowledge of how to create high-quality learning environments for young children.

This program is designed both for credentialed teachers who want to earn the Early Childhood Education units necessary to qualify as Transitional Kindergarten teachers and for current preschool teachers who want to deepen their understanding of the Preschool Foundations and Frameworks. Teachers from both groups who enroll in this certificate program will receive robust professional development, particularly focused on curriculum development across the content areas. They will also meet California Community Care Licensing requirements to work as a preschool teacher, and qualify for the Associate Teacher California Child Development Permit. A minimum grade of ?C? in each course is required to earn the certificate and/or qualify for the Child Development Permit.

Career Opportunities

Transitional Kindergarten teachers, preschool teachers, and early childhood curriculum specialists.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Explain the roles of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks in the education of young children and their relationship to the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), and Content Standards for California Public Schools (kindergarten).

- Plan environments, opportunities and family engagement to support children’s learning and development in all content areas.

- Apply ethical standards and professional behaviors that demonstrate understanding of the needs, characteristics and multiple influences on the development of children from birth to age eight as related to high-quality care and education of young children.

This certificate provides students who are interested in becoming a supervisor of a single early care and education site with the skills and competencies they will need to be successful; students with a BA in any subject with this certificate can qualify as a director of a multi-site agency. This certificate will enable them to become fully qualified teacher and director according to state licensing regulations as well as meet the Early Childhood Education course requirements of the California Child Development Permit for Site Supervisor and Program Director. Students who earn this certificate and meet general education and experience requirements as identified by the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) are eligible to: supervise a child care and development program operating at a single site; provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program; and serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development.

Students will learn to develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum based on observations of children, work with diverse communities of children, families and children, and gain administration and leadership skills. Students who have a BA in any subject and meet the experience requirements with this certificate will qualify for the Program Director permit, the highest level of the California Child Development permit. A minimum grade of “C” in each course is required to earn the certificate and/or qualify for the Child Development Permit.

Career Opportunities

All those who complete this certificate will qualify to work as directors of a preschool according to Community Care Licensing, and will have the Early Childhood Education coursework needed to qualify for a Site Supervisor Child Development Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Those who already have a BA (in any subject) will qualify to earn the Program Director Child Development Permit.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Apply administrative skills in the various types of care and education programs, including knowledge of strategic and fiscal planning, evaluation of quality programs, facilities and operations, and supervision of staff;

- Establish professional relationships and facilitate collaboration and communication between colleagues, families, and stakeholders to administer care and education programs that support positive, developmental play and learning outcomes for all children.

The Graphic Design program provides students with a comprehensive foundation in design elements, design principles, typography, layout, branding, and motion graphics. The program is geared toward students who want to acquire fundamental skills in digital art technology, design aesthetics and design practice to enter the workforce.

Career Opportunities

Graphic designer, Web designer, UI designer, Art director, Creative director, Marketing specialist, Software applications designer, Marketing content creator, Public relations designer, Multimedia artist, Commercial designer, Industrial designer, Mobile designer, UI Designer, Social media designer, Publishing Designer. Labor market information suggests growth in the graphic design, and multimedia art industries between 3-9% in the next 5 years in the east bay subregion and surrounding Bay Area.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Create visual compositions using design skills with strong conceptual abilities.

- Communicate visual ideas clearly, and confidently in work, presentation, and writing.

-. Apply the creative process as a dynamic progression of research, speculation, experimentation, prototyping, critique and refinement.

- Develop basic business practices to include freelancing strategies, portfolio creation and promotion, and professional communication strategies.