Program Type: Degree

Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Program is designed to develop law enforcement professionals, other criminal justice personnel and others who, after completion of the two-year program, will be prepared to continue their studies in fields such as police administration, public administration, legal studies, and management.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
  • Discuss the field of criminal justice including police organization, administration and management systems.
  • Demonstrate basic forensic procedures.
  • State their ethical responsibilities for the field of criminal justice and for their role as an officer of the law.
  • Communicate effectively in writing, verbal and electronic formats with particular emphasis on police reports.
  • Apply problem solving skills to specific criminal justice situations.
  • Discuss the social and psychological characteristics of offenders.

Paralegal Studies

As defined by the American Bar Association, “A paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”
The paralegal studies program at Union County College is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of paralegal job opportunities. The utilization of paralegals improves the efficiency, economy and availability of legal services. A paralegal performs substantive legal work under the direct supervision of an attorney.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
The Associate in Applied Science Degree Option will prepare students to enter the paralegal work force with the requisite skills or to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their baccalaureate degree.
The specific objectives of this program are that the student will be able to:
  • Examine the roles played by paralegals in the American legal system, particularly the ethical regulations concerning the practice of law;
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills;
  • Effectively communicate with others in a diverse society, maintaining a professional manner and client confidence;
  • Conduct legal research and other fact-gathering activities including client interviews and investigations using current and emerging technologies;
  • Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and accurately according to the standards of the legal profession;
  • Recognize the similarities and differences among the general areas of law;
  • Discuss the basic tenets of the diverse subjects of law, define the legal terms related to these areas, and prepare the documents related to these specialties;
  • Analyze and evaluate the relevant legal issues presented in various fact patterns;
  • Prepare various documents in preparation for litigation and post-trial practice;
  • Incorporate computer technology in law office management and data compilation systems.
Transfer Policy: Prospective students may transfer no more than 30 credits, and no more than 12 credits of legal specialty courses, into Associates in Applied Science degree program, and only with the approval of the Program Director.

American Sign Language – English Interpreting

The American Sign Language-English Interpreting Program is designed for individuals who are interested in the field of American Sign Language-English Interpreting. The program provides a multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach of instruction. The five-semester program (after the pre-entry-level is completed) is designed to equip students with knowledge and skills for entry-level sign language interpreting. Areas of scholarly pursuit include cultural and historical studies, linguistic examination, and literary analysis, as well as the study of the language in its conversational form. The courses within the program are geared to preparing students for evaluation for certification through the National Association of the Deaf – Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf National Interpreters Certificate. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level interpreting positions working with Deaf persons or transfer to four-year degree programs. This program can be completed either as a part-time or full-time student in a day or evening program.

Students are admitted to the American Sign Language-English Interpreting Program when they have demonstrated English competency and have satisfactorily completed the Pre-entry-level courses of American Sign Language.

The specific objectives of this program are that the graduate must be able to:
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of American Sign Language and English with members of the Deaf community.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the studies of American Sign Language as a distinct modern language, including scholarly pursuit of cultural and historical studies, linguistics, and literary analysis.
  • Explain the social and cultural characteristics of American Deaf Culture, general and diverse American culture.
  • Identify and analyze the psychological and social factors affecting diverse populations within the Deaf community.
  • State the ethical and professional standards of interpreters working in the field with Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons.
  • Examine the types of interpretation and translation and the processes of interpretation, using theoretical models.
  • Demonstrate the skills and process tasks of American Sign Language-English interpretation.
  • Explain and analyze the field of interpretation from an historical perspective.
  • Analyze contemporary issues in the field of interpreting and the Deaf community.
  • Demonstrate effective written, spoken, and signed communication skills.
  • Demonstrate the skills and motivation for continued self-education.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills, with emphasis on using community resources to solve specific problems.
  • Analyze one’s rights and responsibilities as a professional and/or a citizen in a world community.

Audio Production

The Audio Production program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation for further study and employment in the growing field of Audio Production.

As a transfer program, the program provides a foundation in academic and general studies courses, which prepare students for further study at four-year programs in this discipline both locally and nationally.

Additionally, the program intends to create graduates with the requisite training and skills to begin working with industry standard equipment and software to compose and record their own compositions and compete for entry-level positions in the field.

Other Communications Degrees Include:

  • Communications
  • Film
  • Game Design Creation
  • Journalism
  • Multimedia
  • Public Relations
  • Radio
  • Television

Specifically, graduates must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

  • recount the history of audio recording technology;
  • in conducting research, understand the importance of qualifying source material, using time honored structures such as peer review and disciplinary standards;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the recording industry as a business;
  • a level of comfort and proficiency with standard productivity software such as Adobe Audition, Cubase SX and Pro Tools, as well as an understanding of the ways in which these tools are applied
  • in the audio production field;
  • the ability to understand and apply all phases of audio production in the contemporary music studio environment;
  • identify the fundamental process and sequence involved in the production of audio composition;
  • identify the different roles and responsibilities of the recording studio
  • identify the historical development of musical performance;
  • understand the essentials of audio engineering, the fundamentals of digital imaging and video editing for New Media applications.

American Sign Language and Deaf Studies

The American Sign Language and Deaf Studies Degree Program is designed for individuals who do not have a college degree and are interested in the field of Deaf Studies, linguistics, communications, psychology, social work, rehabilitation, education of the Deaf and other related areas. The program provides a multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Areas of scholarly pursuit include cultural and historical studies, linguistic examination, and literary analysis, as well as the study of the language in its conversational form. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions working with Deaf persons or transfer to four-year degree programs. This program can be completed either as a part-time or full-time student in a day or evening program.

Students are admitted to the ASL and Deaf Studies Program when they have demonstrated English competency and have satisfactorily completed the two semesters of the Pre-entry-level. Students are required to have satisfactorily completed ENG 101 and ENG 102 before taking ASL 201 (ASL 3) and ASL 205 (Linguistics of ASL).

Deaf and Hard of Hearing students are encouraged to participate in this program.

Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management

The Hotel, Tourism and Restaurant Management program provides Union County College students with a strong business and customer service foundation required for careers in this dynamic and expanding, hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
  • Develop critical thinking, decision making, problem solving skills, and strategic planning.
  • Practice interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to function effectively in a diverse society.
  • Apply knowledge of basic computer concepts to their use in the hospitality industry.
  • Discuss the hospitality management code of ethics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform necessary elements of management within the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries.
  • Appropriately use current equipment associated with hospitality management including planning its arrangement, operation, and maintenance.
  • Discuss sales, marketing, and hotel front office management in the hospitality industry, along with food and beverage operations.
  • Communicate effectively in writing, verbal and electronic formats.
  • Be skilled in teamwork, quality improvements, and the ability to make educated decisions in this ever changing, complex, international industry.
Consultation with the Coordinator of the Hospitality Management program is advised.

Psychology

Option offered through Liberal Arts
This program is for those students who wish to transfer to a four-year institution and major in Psychology.
The specific objectives of this program are that the graduate must be able to:
  • demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
  • understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
  • respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
  • understand, develop insights, and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
  • weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
  • demonstrate information competence, ability to use computers and other technology, and an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
  • recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.

Illustration/Fine Arts

Option offered through Liberal Arts
The Fine Arts Option in Illustration is a Liberal Arts transfer-oriented curriculum that provides students, through a core of visual arts/illustration-related courses, a theoretical and practical understanding of the commercial art area of illustration. Utilizing skills and techniques learned through a combined lecture/studio experience, students are taught to creatively differentiate between product, journalistic, and advertising forms of illustration. Considerable time is focused on learning specific studio media and techniques including the use of pencil and dry media, pen and ink, watercolor, oil, gouache, tempera, and acrylic paint. Study also includes concentration on beginning and advanced visual problem-solving through use of illustration software in a Macintosh laboratory environment.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
  • State the techniques and materials commonly used in textural and figurative depictions.
  • Create art work utilizing a variety of media including watercolor, colored pencil, ink wash and gouache.
  • State the critical, aesthetic and historic approaches to illustration.
  • Utilize computers and digital software to prepare illustrations.
  • Create a portfolio of work that demonstrates competency in illustration.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Treatment

Psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) is a comprehensive treatment strategy for meeting the needs of people with severe mental illnesses. PSR practitioners assist people in obtaining the skills, support and resources they will need to achieve success and satisfaction in their social, vocational, educational and independent living environments. The overall goals of this field are promotion of recovery, community integration, and improved quality of life for people coping with psychiatric disabilities. There are ample career opportunities for PSR practitioners in a variety of rehabilitation programs and community mental health settings. The knowledge and skills of the PSR practitioner qualify him/her to provide supportive counseling, case management services, and vocational rehabilitation interventions. The practitioner is also prepared to facilitate skills training groups as well as psycho-education and support groups.
UMDNJ-SHRP’s Program
The UMDNJ School of Health Related Professions had the first undergraduate degree-granting program in this field in New Jersey. It is one of the few model programs of this type throughout the nation. Students in this program will complete two clinical placements at sites such as UMDNJ-UBHC, Bridgeway, Collaborative Support Programs of NJ, Project Live, and others.
Degree Requirements:
Requirements for admission to the UCC general education phase of the program are: High School graduation or equivalent diploma (GED); English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test if required and completion of ESL courses if necessary; and completion of any necessary remedial courses as determined by the New Jersey Basic Skills Test.
To qualify for admission to the professional phase of the program offered by UMDNJ, students must complete 21 credits of their UCC general education requirements (including ENG 101, ENG 102) and UPR 101. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is also required.
In order to successfully complete this program, the student will be required to take the following courses. BE SURE TO CONFER WITH A UCC OR UMDNJ COUNSELOR WHEN PLANNING YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE.
General Education Requirements – 32 credits
ENG 101 English Composition I
PSY 101 General Psychology
CIS 100 Intro to Computer Applications
MAT 119 Algebra
SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
BIO 102 Human Biology
ENG 102 English Composition II
PSY 207 Social Psychology
PHI 205 Intro to Philosophy
ENG 128 Dynamics of Communication or ENG 129 Public Speaking
UMDNJ Requirements – 3 credits
UPR 101 Intro to Psychosocial Rehabilitation – taken prior to entering professional phase

Communications

The Communications curriculum is designed for transfer to a bachelor’s program in communications or related discipline. Options are available for students who have decided that they are particularly interested in a certain field. Faculty advisors are available in the Communications program and students are encouraged to consult with a faculty advisor regarding appropriate option and course selection for their needs and interests.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
  • Communicate orally and in writing in college level discourse
  • Discuss and analyze current social and political issues and events
  • Demonstrate proficiency with productivity software such as word processing, presentation manager, web browser and apply them in the field of communications
  • Explain the importance of committing to a process of life-long learning
  • Compare and contrast prevalent cultural narratives and texts and the various media used to convey them
Other Communications Degrees Include:
  • Audio Production
  • Film
  • Game Design Creation
  • Journalism
  • Multimedia
  • Public Relations
  • Radio
  • Television