Criminal Justice & Paralegal Studies

Associate in Science Degree & Certificate Programs

To Serve and Protect and so much more...

How often do people say they want to give back to their community? To do something for the place where they grew up, or make their world a better place to live? How many people actually do something about it?

A career in Criminal Justice or Paralegal Studies is just the way to do that. It's a field where the desire to serve your community is the foundation. Your role as a public service professional is as versatile as any job can be. Whether it's providing order and enforcing laws, playing an important part in the legal system, or being a role model for a troubled individual, the possibilities are up to you.

What’s the difference between the Criminal Justice A.S. degree program and the Criminal Justice Academy Programs?

Criminal Justice Technology: Degree Program
This is an articulated A.S. to B.S. degree program. It provides a background in criminal justice and homeland security, as well as a path to a B.S. degree. Graduates will receive an Associate in Science degree from Valencia with the option to transfer to any Florida public university as a junior to compete a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

The Criminal Justice Technology program is orchestrated by Program Chair James McDonald, Career Advisor Kathy Fedell and two full time faculty, Terry Miller and Debra Jacobs and a cadre of 20 adjunct instructors. Professor McDonald is located on East Campus, but courses are delivered at Osceola, West, and East campuses and online.

Criminal Justice Institute: Academy Programs
Valencia’s Criminal Justice Institute offers the state-certified academy training programs that are required to become sworn corrections or law enforcement officers in Florida. Valencia’s is one of the most recognized criminal justice academies in the state, and offers four training programs: Correctional Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Crossover: Corrections to Law Enforcement, and Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer.

The Criminal Justice Institute operates under the leadership of Dr. Jeff Goltz, with a cadre of ten full-time staff and four full-time coordinators assigned by Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Police Department, Orange County Corrections and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.