Students may begin enrolling in the program immediately. Classes begin on January 10, 2007.

"Our new criminal justice technology associate degree program addresses citizens' expectations for safer neighborhoods, better security and an efficient judicial process by providing a technically skilled, professionally trained criminal justice workforce," said Linda Weaver-Griggs, Associate Dean for Public Service at York Technical College. The associate degree, which takes about two years to complete, requires students to successfully complete 65 credit hours, including 43 hours of criminal justice technology coursework that covers a broad spectrum of concepts and procedures, such as the judicial process, constitutional law, criminal evidence and procedures, correctional administration, and criminology.

Students earning their associate degree may seek employment opportunities in court administration, law enforcement, corrections, private investigation, corporate and industrial security, rehabilitation, and juvenile justice agencies. The criminal justice technology program is also ideally suited for those already employed in the criminal justice field with a desire for professional advancement.

"Not only is there interest in the field of law enforcement, but there is also a heavy demand for law enforcement officers in South Carolina, " said  York County Sheriff Bruce M. Bryant. "Our challenge lately has not necessarily been in finding interested candidates, but in finding the caliber of candidates to measure up to the standards that we have. I am confident that this new program will help guide the right people in the right direction for a career in law enforcement, and I am very appreciative to York Technical College and the other members of the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for bringing this program to our community."

A report prepared by the South Carolina Department of Education's Office of Career Technology Education in April 2006 finds that the demand for police and sheriff's patrol officers across the state is projected to increase by 38 percent, or about 3,600 officers, by the year 2012, while the number of police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers is projected to grow by 37 percent, or approximately 800 dispatchers, over the same period. Within the college's service area, approximately 200 criminal justice practitioners will be needed by 2009.

"The new criminal justice technology associate's degree program will expand the possibilities of law enforcement in York, Chester and Lancaster Counties," said Rock Hill Police Chief John H. Gregory. "The program will help create a pool of qualified applicants and current officers will be able to continue their education in criminal justice."

The new criminal justice technology program represents an expansion of the public service educational opportunities at York Technical College. The college's other public service offerings include a certificate program in law enforcement, early childhood development programs, and a variety of related continuing education classes and programs.

Currently, at least 12 other technical colleges in South Carolina offer an associate degree in public service with a major in criminal justice technology. Nationally, there are approximately 1,075 colleges offering criminal justice/law enforcement administration as a major, based on information available from the South Carolina Occupational Information System (SCOIS). 

To learn more about the criminal justice technology associate degree program at York Technical College, contact Linda Weaver-Griggs at (803) 981-7026 or by e-mail at lwgriggs@yorktech.com.

York Technical College . 452 S. Anderson Road . Rock Hill, SC 29730