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WCCC Expands Criminal Justice Programs

October 11, 2024

NEW: Concentration in Corrections and Probation

Washington County Community College (WCCC) in Calais, Maine, is expanding its offerings with a new degree option within their existing Criminal Justice program. Starting in Fall 2024, students can enroll in a concentration in Corrections and Probation. This program will teach students the skills needed for jobs like corrections officers, probation officers, re-entry specialists, and other roles in the criminal justice system. WCCC created this program to help meet the growing demand for workers in these important fields.

WCCC has a strong history of offering programs that make a difference in people’s lives. One of its most successful programs is the Substance Use and Recovery program, which started a few years ago. This program helps students become addiction counselors by offering a one-year certificate and an Associate degree. Students can prepare for
jobs as Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselors (CADC) or Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselors (LADC). The program is affordable, and students can get financial aid through federal and state funding. Many graduates go on to make a big impact in the field of addiction recovery.

In addition to this, WCCC has been working with the Maine Department of Corrections since 2018 to provide online education to people in prison. This program is offered at four prisons across the state, giving inmates a chance to take high-quality college courses. These classes help them learn new skills and prepare for life after prison. By offering education to people in prison, WCCC aims to lower the chances of them returning to the justice system and to help them succeed when they return to their communities.

The new Corrections and Probation concentration builds on this success. The program will teach students not only the practical skills they need to work in corrections and probation but also how to use a trauma-informed approach. This means understanding the challenges that people in the justice system face, especially those who have experienced difficult or harmful situations in their lives. This focus on compassion and care makes WCCC’s program unique and important for the community.

WCCC is also proud to be a recovery-ready campus. This means the college offers support to students in recovery from addiction. Students can work with trained recovery coaches, use private meeting spaces, and get help from local recovery organizations like the Aroostook Mental Health Center and the Downeast Recovery Support Center. WCCC makes sure that students have the resources they need to stay on track with their education and recovery.

Tyler Stoldt, the dean of enrollment management and student services at WCCC, says that education can change lives. “We’ve seen how education can transform the lives of people in recovery and those involved in the justice system,” he says. “Our new Corrections and Probation program is designed to give students the skills they need to help justice involved individuals and fill important jobs in our community.”

WCCC is committed to providing flexible learning options for all students. The Criminal Justice Corrections and Probation, Substance Use and Recovery, and Human Services programs are available fully online. Students can take classes through a mix of online and Zoom sessions. There are also 8-week course options to fit different schedules. To learn more and apply for free, visit www.wccc.me.edu.

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