Criminal Justice - A.A.S. Degree/A.A. Degree/Certificate
Start Your Career in Law Enforcement or Other Criminal Justice Fields
The public depends on law enforcement and criminal justice professionals to protect life and property and to uphold the law. The opportunity to serve and protect the public attracts many to this challenging job, which requires honesty, sound judgment, integrity, and a sense of responsibility.
ACC offers three options to help you enter this rewarding and demanding field including:
- An AAS degree in Law Enforcement and Police Administration that prepares you for careers in law enforcement related occupations.
- An AA degree in Criminal Justice that enables you to transfer to a four-year university to pursue other types of criminal justice careers.
- A Certification in Basic Law Enforcement is earned by students who complete the basic police academy.
Career Opportunities
A degree in criminal justice opens the path to a wide variety of careers in various sectors. With this degree, you can find career opportunities in state and local law enforcement, the federal government, corrections, forensics, courtrooms, law firms, nonprofit organizations, corporations, higher education and many other industries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for police and detectives is projected to grow 7 percent nationally through 2026. The average salary for Law Enforcement Officers in Texas is over $62,000. Salary levels will vary depending on the place of employment, job title and level of experience.
Once graduates become certified by passing the TCOLE, they are eligible for employment in any law enforcement agency in the state of Texas.
For more information on career opportunities in Criminal Justice, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
The AAS degree will prepare you for a career in law enforcement occupations. You will take courses in a wide variety of topics such as:
- Court Systems and Practices
- Correctional Systems and Practices
- Crime in America
- Criminal Investigation
- Police Systems and Practices
- and more!
The AA degree will provide you with a solid foundation to take with you to a four-year university as you major in Criminal Justice.
You will take courses in a wide variety of topics such as:
- Fundamentals of Criminal Law
- Correctional Systems and Practices
- Court Systems and Practices
- Federal Government
- Texas Government
- and more!
The Certification in Basic Law Enforcement prepares you for a career in Texas law enforcement. You will receive hands-on and realistic training in this program. Our staff includes police officers, administrators, judges, lawyers and college professors. They will prepare you for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) – the state licensing exam.
Curriculum Guide - Criminal Justice - A.A.S. Degree/A.A. Degree/Certificate
First Year
First Semester
- American History 3 Course Credits +
- Component Area Options 6 Course Credits +
- CRIJ 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Course Credits Δ A
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 15
Second Semester
- American History 3 Course Credits +
- CRIJ 1310 - Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3 Course Credits Δ
- CRIJ 2313 - Correctional Systems 3 Course Credits Δ A
- ENGL 1302 - Composition II 3 Course Credits +
or - ENGL 2311 - Technical & Business Writing 3 Course Credits +
Language, Philosophy and Culture 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 15
Second Year
First Semester
Creative Arts 3 Course Credits +
CRIJ 1306 - Ct Systems and Practices 3 Course Credits Δ A
CRIJ Elective - Select any CRIJ course 3 Course Credits Δ
GOVT 2305 - Federal Government 3 Course Credits +
Life and Physical Sciences 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 15
Second Semester
CRIJ 2328 - Systems & Practices 3 Course Credits Δ
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government 3 Course Credits +
Life and Physical Sciences 3 Course Credits +
Mathematics (MATH 1332 recommended) 3 Course Credits +
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 15
Total Credits for Associate of Arts Degree with A Field of Study in Criminal Justice: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
A Articulated credit from an approved and successfully completed high school program may substitute for this class.
Δ Denotes Field of Study (FOS) courses.
First Year
First Semester
- CRIJ 1301 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Course Credits Δ
- CRIJ 1306 - Ct Systems and Practices 3 Course Credits Δ
- CRIJ 1307 - Crime in America 3 Course Credits
- CJLE 1327 - Interviewing & Report Writing for Crimin 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
- Speech
- Select 3 hours from
- SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking 3 Course Credits +
- SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Course Credits +
- Select 3 hours from
Semester Credits: 15
Second Semester
- CRIJ 1313 - Juvenile Justice System 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
- CRIJ 2313 - Correctional Systems 3 Course Credits Δ
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits
- Language, Philosophy, and Culture (COMM 1307 recommended) 3 Course Credits +
or - Creative Arts 3 Course Credits +
- Social & Behavioral Science (PSYC 2301 recommended) 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 15
Third Semester
- CRIJ 2314 - Criminal Investigation 3 Course Credits
- CRIJ 2323 - Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 6
Second Year
First Semester
- CRIJ 2301 - Community Resources in Corrections 3 Course Credits
- CJSA 2323 - Criminalistics II 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
- CJSA 2365 - Practicum - Criminal Justice Studies Law Enforcement 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
- Mathematics (MATH 1332 recommended) 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- CRIJ 2328 - Systems & Practices 3 Course Credits Δ*
- CRIJ 1310 - Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
- CJSA 2364 - Practicum - Crim Justice/Safety Studies 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
- GOVT 2306 - Texas Government 3 Course Credits
or - Elective - Select 3 hours from Elective Group below 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Total Credits Required for Criminal Justice Degree: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
Δ Denotes Field of Study Curriculum
* Capstone Course
Elective Group
- BCIS 1305 - Business Computer Applications 3 Course Credits
- CJLE 1211 - Basic Firearms 2 Course Credits
CJLE 1327 - Interviewing & Report Writing for Crimin 3 Course Credits - CJLE 1506 - Basic Peace Officer I 5 Course Credits
- CJLE 1512 - Basic Peace Officer II 5 Course Credits
- CJLE 1518 - Basic Peace Officer III 5 Course Credits
- CJLE 1524 - Basic Peace Officer IV 5 Course Credits
- CJLE 1329 - Basic Peace Officer V 3 Course Credits
- CRIJ 1310 - Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3 Course Credits
- CRIJ 1313 - Juvenile Justice System 3 Course Credits
- CRIJ 2323 - Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement 3 Course Credits
- CJSA 2323 - Criminalistics II 3 Course Credits
- CJSA 2364 - Practicum - Crim Justice/Safety Studies 3 Course Credits
- CJSA 2365 - Practicum - Criminal Justice Studies Law Enforcement 3 Course Credits
- GOVT 2306 - Texas Government 3 Course Credits
Approximate yearly costs for the A.A.S. Degree program are $4,200 for in-district students and $6,960 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
Yearly costs for the A.A. Degree program are approximately $3,996 for in-district students and $6,750 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
Approximate yearly costs for the Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certificate program are $2,549 for in-district students and $3,699 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional costs will be incurred for books, supplies and special fees.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Criminal Justice is part of our Law, Government & Public Service Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other programs that may interest you.