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  • Criminal Justice Program.
    Prepare to be - Amazed
    SCC's Criminal Justice program will lay the groundwork for an exciting career.
    Placement
    Criminal Justice Program.
    Prepare to be - Amazed
    SCC's Criminal Justice program will lay the groundwork for an exciting career.
    Placement
    Criminal Justice Program.
    Prepare to be - Amazed
    SCC's Criminal Justice program will lay the groundwork for an exciting career.
    Placement
    Rita Dondlinger.
    Faculty Spotlight - Rita Dondlinger
    Engaging students in lecture, class discussion, group activities, hands-on work and more keys to success.
    More About Rita
     

Criminal Justice

  •  Estimated Cost: $7,460

    Program Length: 4 semesters

    Locations: Beatrice / Online / ESQ

    Start Term(s): Fall / Spring / Summer

    Awards Offered: AA / AAS

    Program Description

    You can make a difference with a career in criminal justice. Our hands-on Criminal Justice program focuses on teaching you practitioner-oriented instruction designed to provide the necessary skills for becoming an entry-level professional or to continue academic pursuits. Your educational experience includes theory and working together to process mock crime scenes to collect and preserve evidence.

    In many instances, you can transfer your credits earned toward a criminal justice bachelor’s degree program. We offer criminal justice courses as electives in the Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in the Academic Transfer program if you want to earn a bachelor’s degree. It is your responsibility to check with your transfer institution to find out what credits will transfer. Please work closely with your SCC advisor.

    You will be a good fit for our Criminal Justice program if you:

    • have strong oral and written communication skills as well as excellent listening skills
    • are able to read social cues and body language as well as speak with people from diverse backgrounds
    • can write accurate and grammatically sound reports
    • are able to solve problems using critical thinking and deductive reasoning
    • have the ability to think quickly
    • possess strong ethics and are culturally sensitive
    • are emotionally balanced/even tempered
    • are observant and aware of your surroundings
    • are in excellent physical shape
    • are detail oriented and have the ability to multi-task
    1. Want to learn more about SCC? Come see how SCC will help you achieve Your Path to Possible! Schedule a campus visit!
    2. Need help exploring career opportunities or navigating the admissions process? Schedule an appointment with an Admissions Counselor.
    3. Ready to apply? Complete an Application for Admission.
    4. Submit ACT, SAT, Next Generation Accuplacer, or Accuplacer test scores (reading and math) or official college transcripts showing completion of post-secondary coursework in English and math to the Admissions Office at any SCC location.

    A Criminal Background Check will be required of each student in this program. Based on the outcome of the CBC, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program. A non-refundable fee of $45 will be assessed for the CBC.

    If you’re interested in the fascinating world of law enforcement, our Criminal Justice program will equip you with the skills necessary to start your career. Recent graduates reported an average salary of $34,112. Career options in Criminal Justice include:

    • Community Service Officer
    • Corporal
    • Corrections Offic
    • Criminal Justice Advocate
    • Officer
    • Patrol Office
    • Police Officer Recruit
    • Public Safety Dispatcher
    • Relief Specialist
    • Social Worker
    • Security Officer
    • Security Specialist
    Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution. As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution, we are unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following states/areas: California and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

    Rita Dondlinger, Program Director
    Education Square (ESQ)
    Master Forensic Science (MFS), Nebraska Wesleyan University
    B.A. Criminal Justice & Sociology, Kansas Wesleyan University
    Related Work Experience: 19 years
    800-642-4075 ext. 3459
    402-323-3459
    rdondlinger@southeast.edu

    Samuel Bethune, Instructor
    Education Square (ESQ)
    J.D. University of Nebraska College of Law
    B.A. Law Enforcement, Drake University
    Related Work Experience: 26 years
    800-642-4075, ext. 3466
    402-323-3466
    sbethune@southeast.edu

    Patrick Crouch, Instructor
    Education Square (ESQ)
    B.S. Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska-Omaha
    J.D. University of Nebraska College of Law
    Related Work Experience: 31 years  
    800-642-4075, ext. 3473
    402-323-3473
    pcrouch@southeast.edu

    Brian Gage, Instructor
    Education Square (ESQ)
    Master Public Administration (MPA), Bellevue University
    B.S. Criminal Justice & Sociology, University of Nebraska-Kearney
    Related Work Experience: 34 years
    800-642-4075, ext. 3483
    402-323-3483
    bgage@southeast.edu

    Keith Mabon, Instructor
    Beatrice Campus
    B.S. Government & Criminal Justice, Northwest Missouri State University
    Related Work Experience: 23 years
    800-233-5027, ext. 3466
    402-228-3468, ext. 1376
    kmabon@southeast.edu

    Chad Paavola, Instructor
    The Career Academy (TCA)
    MA, Interdisciplinary Studies (concentration in Criminal Justice and Education), Western New Mexico University
    BAS, Criminal Justice, Western New Mexico University
    Related Work Experience: 18 years
    800-642-4075, ext. 4725
    402-325-4725
    cpaavola@southeast.edu

    Ronicka Schlottel, Instructor
    The Career Academy (TCA)
    Doctorate of Education (EdD), Doane University
    Master of Criminal Justice (MSCJ), University of Nebraska - Omaha
    Master of Public Administration (MPA), Kansas State University
    Master of Clinical Counseling (in progress), University of Nebraska - Omaha
    Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (#1301)
    Related Work Experience: 16 years
    800-642-4075 ext. 4743 
    402-325-4743
    rschottel@southeast.edu

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