Stark State College's Police Science program combines general education with criminal justice coursework and hands-on training through a law enforcement academy. It prepares students for entry-level careers such as police officer, deputy sheriff, or other law enforcement roles, and can also help current officers advance their careers.
Major code: 1300 Health and Public Services Division Human Services and Justice Studies Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| CJS140 | Law Enforcement Academy I | 15 |
| CJS240 | Law Enforcement Academy II | 15 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| CHM105 | Introduction to Forensic Science (lab) | 3 |
| CJS121 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| CJS221 | Criminology | 3 |
| HJS250 | Human Services and Justice Studies Practicum and Seminar | 3 |
| MTH118 | Quantitative Reasoning (recommended) | 3 |
| or MTH124 | Statistics | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| General Psychology (recommended) | ||
| United States Government and Politics | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Dynamics of the Family | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Juvenile Delinquency | ||
| Diversity in American Society | ||
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSC221 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Note: Stark State College Police Science program is for individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Background checks are completed and submitted to BCI and FBI prior to acceptance into the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or domestic violence will not be eligible for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy or the Police Science program. All OPOTA instructors are certified by the Ohio Peace Office Training Commission. Students who successfully complete the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and pass all practical exercises are eligible to take the Ohio Basic Peace Officer Certification Examination.
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for full-time students who plan to finish in one year.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| CJS121 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CHM105 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (recommended) | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| General Psychology (recommended) | ||
| United States Government and Politics | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Dynamics of the Family | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Juvenile Delinquency | ||
| Diversity in American Society | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CJS140 | Law Enforcement Academy I | 15 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| CJS240 | Law Enforcement Academy II | 15 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSC221 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| HJS250 | Human Services and Justice Studies Practicum and Seminar | 3 |
| CJS221 | Criminology | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Meet the physical fitness standards required to be a peace officer in the State of Ohio.
- Demonstrate the psychomotor skills required to be a peace officer in the State of Ohio.
- Apply the cognitive Student Performance Objectives required to be a peace officer in the State of Ohio.