With support from area city police and county sheriff’s departments, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges announced the college is launching a new Criminal Justice program this fall. As demand for well-trained professionals has grown, so has the need for more hands-on training. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree program trains students for direct entry into the Law Enforcement Academy and a variety of other criminal justice-related careers.
“As the Community’s College, we’re committed to meeting workforce needs while preparing Eastern Iowans for high-demand, rewarding careers,” said EICC Chancellor Don Doucette. “This new program does exactly that, and we’re excited to be offering this hands-on opportunity to students.”
Program development included a great deal of research and feedback from local law enforcement agencies. The new program is a complement to the college’s long-standing Criminal Justice Associate in Arts (AA) Degree designed for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. That program will continue, providing students even more flexibility in their chosen path.
“Recruiting good qualified candidates has been challenging during the last few years,” said Muscatine Police Chief Brett Talkington. “This program would go a long way in helping students understand what the career looks like with the ‘hands-on’ approach before they actually get the opportunity to go to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and become a certified officer.”
Students will experience real-world scenarios through a state-of-the-art firearms simulator, as well as through courses with work-based learning and job shadowing opportunities. With courses such as Physical Conditioning, Firearms, Ethics, Interviewing/Writing Strategies, and Patrol, Vice and Drug Control, just to name a few, students who complete the program will stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs in law enforcement, corrections or security.
“The addition of a program like this will hopefully boost interest in the criminal justice field thus expanding our applicant pool of qualified prospects,” said Muscatine County Sheriff Quinn Riess. “The Sheriff’s Office is currently accepting applications for the position of Deputy Sheriff and we anticipate hiring two in July.”
The first year of the program will be offered at Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community College, as well as the CCC Maquoketa Center, while the second year of training will take place at SCC’s Urban Campus in downtown Davenport. In addition to the two-year AAS Degree, a one-year Diploma and semester-long Certificate will also be available. These award options are perfect for students interested in corrections/security or law enforcement careers that do not require a full two-year degree. Before being admitted to the program, students will need to pass a background check.
For information visit eicc.edu/justice or call toll-free 1-888-336-3907, email eiccinfo@eicc.edu.