The coexistence of any group of people requires some form of governance or division of labor in order to maintain the existence of the group. The provision of these types of public services requires the full-time attention of some members of the group. This course provides an overview of the public service systems and examines the purpose, history, organization, approach, and functions of these systems with a special emphasis on current issues, trends, successes, and challenges from a population perspective. 

5124: Office Productivity Suite (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 9-12)

This course is designed to help students master beginning skills in the areas of word processing, spreadsheet software, and the proper creation and application of professional presentations. Students will learn file management, how to save and find files, use a network, and share files with others for collaboration.  Students will learn the software skills needed in Microsoft and Google to be effective in school and the workplace. Advanced projects combining all of Microsoft Office and Google software will be included in the course.

5600: Public Safety (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 9-12)

Prerequisite: Introduction to Public Services

This course introduces students to careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, fire protection, emergency response services, and other related career areas. Students will learn about public safety careers through engagement in classroom and laboratory activities modeled after real-world work assignments, scenarios, and problems. Strong emphasis will be placed on written and verbal communication skills, mathematical applications, problem solving, ethics, accountability, and cultural diversity. Public safety professionals and post-secondary instructors will guest lecture to discuss aspects of their respective careers enabling students to make a more informed career choice. 

1529: Public Speaking/College Speech (0.5 credit ELE, Gr. 10-12, weighted) College Credit Available

This course is designed to improve students' public speaking skills in real-world communication situations. The class challenges students to become more effective speakers and listeners in a variety of communication tasks. Students will participate in group discussions, research, listening exercises, and prepare various speeches individually, and learn to both give and receive constructive criticism.

2405: Contemporary Issues (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 10-12)

This course will focus on national and world news. As news events are discussed, emphasis will be placed on the roots of world and national situations, distinguishing between fact and opinion in the news, bias in news presentation, and recognition of various propaganda techniques used to sway public opinion. Research will be used to learn how national and international situations have developed and what proposals have been advanced to deal with these situations. Students who enroll in this course should be able to read at or above grade level, have good comprehension skills, and have the ability to think and analyze situations. They should be able to express themselves both verbally and in writing and be able and willing to participate in class discussions.

5117: Business Law (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)

This course will teach students how the laws that govern business are relevant to their everyday lives. Specific areas include kinds of laws, crimes, laws for minors, laws for families, laws for consumers, contracts, bankruptcy, repossessions, employment contracts, discrimination, landlords, and cyber laws. This course will also discuss entrepreneurship law, family law, and criminal law. Additionally this course combines practical opportunities as well as expertise of a business organization. Students will work with the local community in order to apply practical applications of economics. Entrepreneurial possibilities are available within this course. Students will learn to make economical decisions, keep business records and documents, as well as market products targeting local economical issues and business careers.

1572: Public Law (0.5 credit PAR, Grade 10-12)

This course is designed to allow the student to examine his/her place in the legal system. Course content will deal with how the law and the judicial system directly affect the individual as a well as individual rights and responsibilities under our legal system. Topics include: why law, where law comes from, different types of law, the criminal justice system, juvenile law, etc. Real world applications of these concepts will be explored as they deal with individuals in society.

8818: Police Science I - 4 credits (3 credits PAR and 1 credit ENG, Gr. 11-12)    

Prerequisite: Minimum 2.0 GPA, 90% attendance record; reading, writing, and math at a 10th grade level

This course at Herndon Career Center will provide students with knowledge in the field of law enforcement/police science and prepare them for continuing education and ultimately, employment in a related field. This course is designed to acquaint the student with historical perspectives of law enforcement and a variety of criminal justice career fields, including but not limited to: crime scene investigation, law enforcement, police science, patrol theories and report writing, legal studies, and leadership competencies. Course content may include the discussion and viewing of some of man's worst crime scenes as all are significant and vital to our past, present, and future in the investigation of such crimes committed by our fellow man. The goal is to become increasingly aware of the social forces that shape our lives and gain insight into the many different aspects of law enforcement and how they influence society's views and opinions on how we deal with and handle the crimes of man. The atmosphere of this class is similar to a mini-police academy. Students will be expected to stand when an adult enters the classroom; they will participate in roll call and the Pledge each day. Students will be expected to participate in drill procedures and learn to march in unison.

2407: Psychology (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 10-12)

This course is designed to assist students in gaining an appreciation of psychology as the science of studying and understanding human behavior.  Major units of study will include: the development of philosophies and methods used to gain insights into behavior, a study of the brain and nervous system, human psychological development, psychological processes and disorders.

2411: Sociology (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 10-12)

Sociology as the study of human behavior in groups is designed to acquaint the student with the types of groups we form, how we function in these groups and how we deal with social problems resulting from the interaction within and between these groups.  These topics are analyzed through sociological perspectives in order to evaluate various interpretations and explain why people behave the way they do.

2406: Psychology - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit

This online college course through Missouri Western State University, covers general information about psychology in everyday life, designed to correct misconduct and to give the students a better understanding of self and others. 

2412: Sociology - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit

This online college course through Missouri Western State University, covers basic sociological concepts and theories. Major topics included in this course are culture, society, societal interaction, crime, race/ethnicity, class, gender, the family, education, religion, medicine, the economy, politics and cross-cultural comparisons.

2409: Introduction to Criminal Justice - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12, weighted)

This course covers the philosophical and historical background of the criminal justice system as it relates to the individual. Course content reviews the principles underlying social organization control devices with an emphasis on such legal systems as the criminal courts, corrections, and law enforcement. The course is designed to provide general knowledge about the concept and causes of crime, the varying goals and objectives of the criminal justice system, and an assessment of specific role performance of various members of the criminal justice system including major aspects of civil process.

2410: Introduction to Juvenile Justice - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12, weighted)

This course studies the delinquent juvenile as an individual and the impact on society. Course content investigates delinquency, causation, the role of the law enforcement officer, the juvenile officer, the juvenile court, and juvenile corrections.

8819: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - 4 credits (3 credit PAR and 1 credit SCI, Gr. 12)

Prerequisite: Minimum 2.0 GPA, 90% attendance record; Biology; reading, writing, and math at a 10th grade level

This program at Herndon Career Center prepares the EMT student to provide pre-hospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation. This course is physically demanding and requires students to be focused on gaining the knowledge and skills required to pass the EMT Basic exam. Clinical observations may be necessary after school hours and would require transportation to the site. Student fees will be approximately $150 and include CPR, uniform, and required equipment.