NRCC News

NRCC offers programs in police and forensic science

Aug 12 2021

This is an archived article!

This article was published on Aug 12 2021 and was archived on Aug 13 2022. The information below may be outdated or inaccurate.

New River Community College is offering police and forensic science degree programs, with classes beginning this fall. Police Science and Forensic Science prepare students for a career in an in-demand field.

These programs provide students with the educational credentials necessary to enter police work and serves current officers who wish to upgrade their education for career development and promotion. The programs are designed to maximize transfer courses to four-year colleges and universities.

The Police Science program begins with a theoretical and practical understanding of the criminal justice system and its components of police, courts and corrections and how each operates. Students are made familiar with concepts such as community policing, criminal and constitutional law, criminal and forensic investigation techniques, and judicial process. Elective courses are available on subjects ranging from narcotics and dangerous drugs to exploring serial criminality.

The Forensic Science program provides students with specialized knowledge and skills in the areas of collection, preservation and analysis of physical evidence. NRCC has an extensive, modern analytical laboratory equipped to give students an introduction to theoretical and practical application of many analyses found in crime labs. Students will be introduced to the science of criminalistics with lecture/lab work in general crime scene processing, latent evidence processing, ballistics, toolmark and impression analysis, and drug and other organic analysis.

Students who enroll in these programs may be eligible for free tuition through the Virginia Community College’s new G3 assistance program. The G3 Program is a tuition assistance program for any Virginia resident who qualifies for in-state tuition and whose family income falls below an identified threshold. Eligible students may enroll in designated programs leading to jobs in high-demand fields. For more information on G3 eligibility, visit www.nr.edu/g3.

Classes begin Monday, August 23. Prospective NRCC students may visit www.nr.edu/register for enrollment information. Advisors are available at advising@nr.edu or (540) 674-3609 or in person to assist with registration.

For more information about the administration of justice programs, visit www.nr.edu/adj.