Criminology and Emergency Response Management

Graduates of Criminology and Emergency Response Management (CERM) will have the entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities needed for careers in law enforcement, corrections, security and disaster response, including local, state and federal law enforcement jobs in policing, crime commissions, parole, corrections and court systems. The program also offers the academic preparation to pursue private-sector careers in workplace security, private investigations, insurance investigations, safety officers and security patrol officers.

In addition to the criminal justice courses, the program uses curriculum approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree (Clovis Main Campus) or an Associate of Occupational Studies degree (Modesto Branch Campus).

IOT’s CERM training immerses you in directly transferable skills through a curriculum that adheres to Federal Emergency Response Standards (FEMA). IOT says it is the only school in California that prepares students for specializations in law enforcement, emergency response, corrections and security.

• Access to the IVR-300 Training Simulator — a firearm simulator that provides real-world experience.
• Approved provider of security certificates by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), including the BSIS security guard card.
• Standards and Training for Corrections certificate.
• Various work schedules offer flexibility.

Applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a valid GED equivalent. Applicants must pass a Criminal History background check and a health screening. Applicants cannot have any felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions or legal conditions that would prohibit them from possessing a firearm; a Department of Justice fingerprint check is required to become a Peace Officer, Correctional Officer, Crime Scene Technician or Security Officer.

Applicants to degree programs must achieve the appropriate passing score on the entrance examination; the CERM AAS or AOS program requires a Wonderlic score of 16. All applicants first meet with an Admissions Representative, and students with delinquent student loans must resolve them before being considered.

Hybrid (IDL) programs. Applicants must attest to their ability to succeed in a distance learning environment and pass the online “Computer Literacy and Internet Knowledge” (CLIK) pre-assessment with a score of 14 or higher. Minimum technology: a PC, laptop and/or tablet able to create documents in Microsoft or Google Docs, the ability to join Zoom or Microsoft Teams calls (speakers and microphone required), and continuous, reliable internet access.

The program is 97 quarter credit units / 1,300 clock hours. It is a hybrid or interactive distance learning (IDL) program: classes are a combination of on campus and online for 65 weeks, with on-campus classes held two days per week and the remaining coursework completed at a location determined by the student.

Daily schedule. In a hybrid program, classes are conducted on campus and online; on-campus attendance is required two days per week, and online attendance events (a quiz, test, final exam or Discussion Board post) are monitored weekly. Each five-week module runs Monday through Sunday for four weeks and Monday through Thursday in week five. At the Clovis campus, Professional Development, CERM, HVAC, MBOA and PMA on-campus sessions are held Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., or 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; the Modesto campus also publishes a Monday/Wednesday hybrid schedule.

Graduates have the opportunity for success in professions including Highway Patrol Officer, Peace Officer, Reserve Peace Officer and Deputy Sheriff (an academy is required after graduation from IOT for these roles), Private/Public Security Personnel, Security Specialist, Fraud Technician, TSA (Airport Security), Surveillance Technician, Emergency Services Coordinator, Emergency Management Specialist, Response and Recovery Specialist, Detention Officer, Records Personnel, Community Service Officer, Dispatcher, Immigration Officer and Deputy Extradition Specialist.

Students who complete the requisite units and assessment outcomes are eligible for certificates in emergency management, security and medical response in addition to their degree, including Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers, Disaster Management and FEMA certificates. Upon successful completion of CJ150, students may be eligible for the Adult Correctional Officer CORE Academy certificate, depending on campus location.

Uniforms are required and are available for purchase; textbooks are provided as classroom resources or purchased by the student. A CERM student dress code applies.