JULY 21, 2015
ACTC Offers Criminal Justice Online
All Criminal Justice (CJ) degrees and certificates at Ashland Community and Technical College are offered online to help busy students fit classes into their schedules. Many courses are also offered on campus for those who prefer face-to-face interaction with instructors and fellow students.
The CJ program offers four options for an Associate of Applied Science Degree: corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement and security/loss prevention.
The Corrections Option focuses on the operations of prisons and jails, juvenile justice, probation and other aspects of the corrections system.
The Criminal Justice Option provides an overview of corrections, juvenile justice, security and police operations, procedures and administration.
The Law Enforcement Option focuses on theory, principles and techniques used by law enforcement agencies and police units.
The Security Loss Protection Option includes systems and issues related to asset protection and physical security.
Certificates are offered in Computer Forensic Technology, Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement and Security & Loss Prevention.
Corrections, criminal justice and law enforcement employment is found at the municipal, county, state and federal levels. Security/ loss protection jobs are found with businesses, industries, private and public organizations, and private security/protection agencies.
Job opportunities for police officers are expected to grow 10% through 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Correctional officer job will increase by nine percent. Employment for private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 22 percent due to heightened security concerns, increased litigation, and the need to protect confidential information and property of all kinds
The CJ program at ACTC provides knowledge of the theory, principles and techniques employed by police units, law enforcement agencies, corrections institutions and security operations. Courses include criminal justice theory, criminal law, procedures and investigations, police work, delinquency and juvenile justice, and criminalistics.
Fall classes include Intro to Law Enforcement, Community Corrections/Probations & Parole,
Liability & Legal Issues, Principles of Asset Protection, Criminal Investigations, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedures, Intro to Criminal Justice, Intro to Criminalistics, Issues/Ethics in Criminal Justice, Prison & Jail Administration and Terrorism & Political Violence.
Whether online or in person, the criminal justice instructors at ACTC bring years of experience to their classes. Professor and Program Coordinator Don O’Pell is a former Ashland police captain with 30 years of law enforcement experience. Associate Professor Daniel Cooksey worked with the Metropolitan Crime Commission of New Orleans and was director of corporate security for a Fortune 500 company
Part-time instructors include Scott Hill, Director of Safety and Security at Kings’ Daughters Medical Center, Beverly Sharp, a retired supervisor with the Federal Corrections System; and James Howard, Commander of the Adult Police Academy at Collins Career Center and former chief investigator with the Lawrence County OH Sheriff’s Department,
“We bring real world experiences into class as much as possible,” O’Pell said. “We give students perspective on how textbook theories and procedures are applied in real situations.”
For information on the Criminal Justice Program, email O’Pell at: don.opell@kctcs.edu or call 606-326-2217. Class schedules and admission forms are online at www.kctcs.edu, and August 3 is the deadline to apply for fall classes.
ACTC Career Options
ACTC students can begin preparing for nearly all of the US News & World Report 100 Best Jobs of 2015 either with transfer programs to area universities or with degrees, diplomas and certificates from the college.
ACTC provides more than 100 choices for people seeking new careers, including a new Aviation degree program offered with Eastern Kentucky University. Many of the programs listed below offer multiple degree, diploma and certificate options to help students find a program that matches their career goals. Additional information is on the web at ashland.kctcs.edu/academics under “Programs of Study.”
Classes start August 17, and new students must apply by August 3. Applications are on the web at ashland.kctcs.edu. For admission questions, call 606-326-2000 or toll-free 800-928-4256.
Business/Education Programs
Business Administration students can earn an AAS Degree with options in Accounting, Finance, Management and Real Estate as well as diplomas and certificates in fields such as finance, leadership, management, supervisory management and small business management. Graduates are prepared for entry level business jobs or for university transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
Computer Information Technology students are prepared to work with computer network environments. Choices include online certificates and an AAS Degree with four options.
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education students are prepared for employment in preschools, early intervention programs, Head Start, and healthcare and recreation centers.
Medical Information Technology prepares students for a new era of medical office coding and record-keeping requirements, including federal regulations and international coding standards.
Health Care Programs
Health care programs are selective admissions programs that require the completion of selected college courses before being considered for acceptance.
New students can start this fall on courses required for application to the Associate Degree Nursing, Emergency Paramedic Technology, Pharmacy Technology, Practical Nursing, Respiratory Care-Advanced Level and Surgical Technology Programs.
Students can also work on a Health Science Technology degree that prepares them for entry level jobs and that can provide a smooth transition into selective admission allied health care programs.
Industrial / Manufacturing Programs
The following programs are held at the Technology Drive Campus. Certificates focus on skills for a specific job, while diplomas provide a broader range of skills.
Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC) students learn to service heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Applied Process Technologies graduates are prepared for entry-level technician positions in chemical, petrochemical, refining, power and other industries. The AAS Degree offers Chemical Plant Operator, Power Plant Operator and Lineman Technology options.
Electrical Technology students are prepared for entry-level positions in industry and the building trades.
Industrial Maintenance students are trained to fill multi-skilled positions in factories, hospitals, hotels, and other business/industry settings.
Machine Tool Technology students learn to set-up and operate computer controlled and mechanical machines for small machine shops or manufacturing industries.
Welding Technology graduates are prepared for welding occupations in business and industry.
Transportation Programs
Transportation programs at the Roberts Drive Campus offer over 20 choices for specialized skills to fit today’s repair and service market.
Automotive Technology graduates are prepared for entry-level technician jobs in auto repair, maintenance and servicing. Choices include a diploma and seven certificates.
Diesel Technology students learn to repair, rebuild and maintain construction equipment, agriculture equipment, or medium and heavy trucks. Three diplomas and 13 certificates are available.
Public Service Programs
Appalachian Studies is a certificate program that offers a multi-discipline, cross-cultural look at the people, traditions and creative output of the region.
Cosmetology graduates are eligible to take the Kentucky cosmetologist licensing exam.
Culinary Arts students prepare for careers in culinary arts, catering or institutional food service.
Fire/Rescue Science Technology includes an AAS Fire Chief Degree, a Fire Chief Diploma and Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) certification.
