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State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) will be closed for winter break Dec. 18 to Jan. 1. SCF will resume normal operating hours on Thursday, Jan. 2. Registration for classes will remain open during winter break at My.SCF.edu. Spring 2025 classes will begin on Monday, Jan. 6. View the full press release online.
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SCF’s Social and Behavioral Sciences and Human Services programs offer a deep dive into the world of humanity and society. They cover a wide range of subjects, exploring society, identity, and social institutions.
Learn MoreCriminal Justice Technology [2014]
The Criminal Justice A.S. degree program prepares the student for immediate employment in law enforcement, corrections and other public and private sector related fields. This program is offered through SCF with articulation available through Suncoast Technical College, formerly (SCTI) and Manatee Technical College, formerly (MTI).
Program of study includes:
- police administration
- criminology
- criminal evidence and investigation
- juvenile delinquency
Career options include:
- social services worker
- law enforcement managemen
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Criminal Justice Major Field Test
Major Field Test Graduation Requirement for Criminal Justice Technology
The Criminal Justice Major Field Test is a graduation requirement. The purpose of the test is to gather data on students’ basic knowledge and understanding of the program core courses in the Criminal Justice Technology A.S. degree program. The multiple choice examination is designed to evaluate major concepts and principles as well as knowledge expected of students who complete the program.
The test measures success in student learning and will provide the Criminal Justice Technology program manager and faculty the information needed to improve student learning. The primary focus of this capstone activity is to improve the quality of the Criminal Justice Technology degree program. Even if students feel that the quality of the criminal justice technology program is good, there is always room for improvement. Students must score 70% on the Major Field Test to graduate.
The Major Field Test as a capstone assessment will:
- Provide a direct link to the Criminal Justice Technology curriculum.
- Assist the Criminal Justice Technology program manager and faculty in verifying the knowledge and skills the student has gained in the program and in specific courses.
- Identify student performance in relationship to the Florida Department of Education Criminal Justice Technology curriculum framework and course content.
- Provide answers to the questions of whether the program offers the material that the workplace/employers expect to be mastered by any student completing the program and whether the student did master the body of knowledge as contained in the degree program.
Format:
- The test is delivered in Canvas.
- The 100-item multiple choice test will take approximately two hours to complete.
Preparation:
- It is very important for students to keep all notes and study guides to help prepare for the test.
- The best time to take the test is near the end of your final Criminal Justice classes.
Requesting Test:
- It is the student’s responsibility to request the test so it can be made available to the student in
Canvas.
- When you are ready to take the exam, contact Dr. Michael Ryan, the Criminal Justice Program Manager at RyanM@SCF.edu.
- Dr. Ryan can supply you with more information about this graduation requirement.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expected job growth in the field of Criminal Justice?
Nationally, the expected job growth of Police Officers & Detectives is between 2019 and 2029 is 5%. Locally, (Manatee and Sarasota Counties) the expected job growth is between 2019 and 2029 is estimated to be 32.7% (much larger than the national projection).
How long will it take to finish the Criminal Justice Associate in Science (AS) degree?
The AS degree will take two years to finish if you choose to attend SCF full time. A part time summer course schedule is recommended. Take 12-15 credit hours per semester during the fall and spring semesters.
How much does the program cost?
According to the 2020-21 SCF College Catalog, Florida residents pay $102.48 tuition per semester credit. The number of credits required for the AS degree (without needed math prerequisites) is 60 credits.
$102.48 x 60 = $6,148.80
Textbooks for the criminal justice technology program courses total approximately $2,500. Additional textbooks will be required for the general education courses (ENC 1101, Social Sciences A/B, Humanities A/B, Science A/B, and Math A/B). Estimate the TOTAL costs of tuition and textbooks (retail), at approximately $10,000.
What can I do with the degree?
The following are examples of government and private employment opportunities for those with a criminal justice technology degree:
• Police officers and detectives
• Public safety officer
• Corrections officer
• Criminal profiler
• Crime prevention specialist
• Crime scene investigator
• Government agents (FBI, fish and game, drug enforcement, etc.)
• Probation officer
• Narcotics officer
• Parole officer
• State trooper
• Youth correctional officer
• Fingerprint technician
• Deputy sheriff
• Customs inspector
• Investigator (government or private)
• Security officer (private)
How much money can I expect when I complete the degree?
• Entry-level median pay in Manatee and Sarasota County areas is $20.05/hour
• Locally (Manatee and Sarasota Counties), the median pay for experienced police officers & detectives is $24.91/hour
• Nationally, the median pay for experienced police officers & detectives is $31.33/hour
What do people working in criminal justice do?
Job duties differ by employer and function. The criminal justice field can provide solid, lucrative, and rewarding opportunities in a wide range of career paths in both the government and private sectors. In general, the criminal justice system ensures that laws are upheld, and criminals are fairly judged and sentenced for their crimes. The criminal justice system consists of law enforcement, the court system, and corrections facilities. Consequently, the criminal justice system is ripe with many examples of employment opportunities for persons with criminal justice degrees and can lead to a wide array of work responsibilities that help the criminal justice system function.
Where can I get more information?
941-752-5495 Bradenton RyanM@SCF.edu