Programs of Study

First Semester - 15 SCH

COSC 1301 - Introduction to Computing
CRIJ 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRIJ 1307 - Crime in America
ENGL 1301 - Composition I
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology

Second Semester - 15 SCH

CRIJ 1306 - Court Systems & Practices
CRIJ 1310 - Fundamentals of Criminal Law
ENGL 1302 - Composition II
MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics
SPCH 1321 - Business and Professional Communication

Third Semester - 15 SCH

CRIJ 1313 - Juvenile Justice System
CRIJ 2301 - Community Resources in Corrections
CRIJ 2313 - Correctional Systems & Practices
CRIJ 2314 - Criminal Investigation
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology

Fourth Semester - 15 SCH

CRIJ 2323 - Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
CRIJ 2328 - Police Systems & Practices
CJSA 2364 - Practicum - Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
POFT 2312 - Business Correspondence & Communication
COMM 1307 - Introduction to Mass Communication

Marketable Skills

• Legal Knowledge - Comprehension of legal processes; analysis of the rights of different parties in the criminal justice system.
• Social Responsibility - Comprehension of moral and social responsibilities to the public; understanding the rights of victims, suspects, and offenders.
• Writing - Be able to write in a clear and comprehensible manner to the reader.
• Social Skills - Effectively use body language, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and personal appearance to communicate and interact with others.
• Analytical Reasoning - Collect and evaluate data from a variety of data sources to inform the investigations, strategies, and policy decisions of criminal justice organizations in a way that will make the data usable for problem-solving.

Program Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the core criminal justice areas by describing the functions and roles of each area.
• Students will be able to model professional behaviors and skills in relation to the ethics and professionalism expected within the criminal justice system.
• Students will be able to identify, analyze, compare and contrast the philosophy and function of the role of law enforcement in American society.
• Students will be able to provide a comprehensive view of criminal justice that include criminal procedures, penal laws, policy, and procedure of the system.

Expected Salary

Texas wage data: workers on average earn $64,970; 10% of workers earn $42,970 or less; 10% of workers earn $89,120 or more. US wage data: workers on average earn $65,540; 10% of workers earn $38,420 or less; 10% of workers earn $109,040 or more.

Career Opportunities

AAS Minimum: State Police; Police Officer; Sheriff Deputy; Constable; Justice of the Peace; Correctional Officer; Private Investigator; Paralegal; Security Officer; Bailiff; Police Dispatcher; Loss Prevention; Fraud Investigator; Latent Print Technician; Bail Agent; Fire Investigator; Court Administrator; School Resource Officer. BAAS Minimum: Federal Law Enforcement Agent; Game Warden; Probation Officer; Parole Officer; Conflict Resolution Mediator; Criminal Investigator; Crime Scene Technician; Crime Lab Analyst; Victim Advocate; Crime Reporter; Public Information Officer; Case Manager.

High School Endorsements

Public Service / Social & Behavioral Sciences

Additional Educational Opportunities

Students may continue their education through a BAAS degree.