Purpose

The Criminal Justice program provides education and training for students planning careers in federal, state, or local law enforcement.  The Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program offers students the opportunity to focus on one of two options.  The first option, Criminal Justice, is for those students seeking to graduate with an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice.  This option will focus on the three core components of the Criminal Justice process (Police, Courts, and Corrections).  The second option, the Basic Peace Officer, is for those students seeking to graduate with an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice and from the Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy to prepare for the TCOLE Texas Peace Officer exam.   Criminal Justice is a Local Articulation program.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted to the Criminal Justice program through regular college admission procedures (see Admission Regulations section).  Students will receive a one-year Certificate and/or an A.A.S. degree upon satisfactory completion of the courses of study and upon making formal application for graduation (see Curricula section).

The Criminal Justice program carries two award options, the two-year A.A.S. degree in Criminal Justice and the A.A.S. Criminal Justice – Basic Peace Officer Option. 

Students who wish to pursue the two-year A.A.S. degree must meet all Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements.

More information can be found on the SWTJC Criminal Justice Field of Study page.