Public Safety Pathway

The Public Safety Pathway is designed to align with our community’s first responder needs and align with the strategic initiatives of Connecticut’s workforce development efforts, leveraging innovation to ease the strain on labor. For the 2026-2027 school year, CCA will be offering a three course Introduction to Criminal Justice tier. The Criminal Justice Pathway will expand in subsequent years to include tiers that award AS degrees in Criminal Justice and Fire Safety, and certificates in First Aid and EMT. Underclass students entering CCA through the Introduction to Criminal Justice tier can continue into those more advanced tiers in subsequent years.

Tier 1: Introduction to Criminal Justice

Updated: March 3, 2026

Tier 1: Introduction to Criminal Justice

Program Description: This tier introduces students to key concepts and practices in the field of criminal justice, with a focus on law enforcement. Through courses such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Law Enforcement, and Police & the Community, students explore the roles, responsibilities, and relationships within public safety agencies. This program equips students with the foundational knowledge needed to identify, describe, and evaluate issues related to law enforcement and community engagement.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to explain the roles and interrelationships of police, courts, and corrections at the local, state, and federal levels within the U.S. criminal justice system.
Students will critically examine the evolution, philosophy, and functions of law enforcement and articulate how these impact accountability, ethics, and public trust.
Students will analyze current challenges facing law enforcement, including community relations, use of force, and police misconduct, and propose approaches to address these issues effectively.
Students will identify practices and strategies that foster positive police-community interactions and assess how sociological and psychological factors influence these relationships.
Students will utilize theoretical perspectives and practical knowledge to assess and respond to criminal justice scenarios, emphasizing communication, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making in police work.

Model Course Progression:

Year One
- Semester One
  - CJS 1010 - .5 HS Credits & 3 CT State Credits
  - ENG 1010 - .5 HS Credits & 3 CT State Credits
- Semester Two
  - CJS 1050 - .5 HS Credits & 3 CT State Credits
  - CJS 1200 - .5 HS Credits & 3 CT State Credits
Total Credits = 2.0 credits & 12 CT State Credits