SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT

Criminal Justice A.A.S. (43.0107) Online


Faculty and Staff

A Mondragon
Armando Mondragon
Division Chair,
Applied Sciences
Email
(830) 758-4106
(830) 591-7274
J Estrada
Judy F. Estrada
Division Chair,
Applied Sciences

Email
(830) 591-7288
G Gear
G. Dale Gear, Jr.
Instructor
Email
(830) 591-7331

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 Southwest Texas Junior College 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.

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.

Program of Study

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree add
Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree Program of Study
General Education Courses Credit
Social & Behavioral Sciences 6
Humanities & Fine Arts 3
Natural Science & Math 3
Other 3
Total General Education Courses 12
Technical Education Courses 45
Basic Use of Computers 3
Total Credit Hours for A.A.S. 60

Program of Study 

The Criminal Justice program provides two options for the A.A.S. degree: the Criminal Justice and Basic Peace Officer option.

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option add

Program of Study

First Year

Fall Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option Program of Study First Year Fall Semester
Course Number Title Credit
EDUC 1300π Learning Framework
or
COLS 0300 College Success Skills
CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice System 3
CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRIJ 1307 Crime in America 3
CJSA 1348 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3
COSC 1301 Introduction to Computers 3
ELECTIVE College Level Math 3
Total 18

Spring Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option Program of Study First Year Spring Semester
Course Number Title Credit
CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3
CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices 3
CJSA 1351 Use of Force 3
Elective Speech Communications 3
Elective Humanities and Fine Arts 3
Elective Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Total 18

Second Year

Fall Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option Program of Study Second Year Fall Semester
Course Number Title Credit
CJSA 1330 Cybercrimes 3
CJLE 1327 Interviewing/Report Writing 3
CRIJ 2313 Correction Systems and Practices 3
CRIJ 2323 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement 3
Total 12

Spring Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Criminal Justice Option Program of Study Second Year Spring Semester
Course Number Title Credit
CJSA 1400 Death Investigation I 4
CRIJ 2314 Criminal Investigation 3
CRIJ 2328 Police Systems and Practices 3
CJSA 22831 Cooperative Education - Criminal Justice/
Safety Studies 2
Total 12
Total Credit Hours for A.A.S. 60

Notes:

  1. Capstone course that consolidates the student's learning experiences.
π All students are required to take EDUC 1300 or COLS 0300; however, EDUC 1300/COLS 0300 do not count toward degree requirements.
Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Basic Peace Officer Option add

Program of Study

First Year

Fall Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Basic Peace Officer Option Program of Study First Year Fall Semester
Course Number Title Credit
EDUC 1300π Learning Framework
or
COLS 0300 College Success Skills
CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice System 3
CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CRIJ 1307 Crime in America 3
CJSA 1348 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3
COSC 1301 Introduction to Computers 3
ELECTIVE College Level Math 3
Total 18

Spring Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Basic Peace Officer Option Program of Study First Year Spring Semester
Course Number Title Credit
CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices 3
CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3
CJSA 1351 Use of Force 3
Elective Speech Communications 3
Elective Humanities & Fine Arts 3
Elective Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Total 18

Second Year

Fall Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Basic Peace Officer Option Program of Study Second Year Fall Semester
Course Number Title Credit
CJLE 15061 Basic Peace Officer I 5
CJLE 15121 Basic Peace Officer II 5
Total 10

Spring Semester

Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree - Basic Peace Officer Option Program of Study Second Year Spring Semester
Course Number Title Credit
CJLE 15181 Basic Peace Officer III 5
CJLE 15241,2 Basic Peace Officer IV 5
CJLE 14291 Basic Peace Officer V 4
Total 14
Total Credit Hours for A.A.S. 60

Notes:

  1. Student enrolls in TCOLE approved Law Enforcement Academy. Basic Peace Officer sequence option is subject to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) rules, including criminal history check - see TCOLE enrollment standards below. These courses are eligible for Advanced Placement - see Criminal Justice Advanced Placement Policy below.
  2. Capstone course that consolidates the student's learning experiences.

π All students are required to take EDUC 1300 or COLS 0300; however, EDUC 1300/COLS 0300 do not count toward degree requirements.

TCOLE Enrollment Standards

Students enrolling in the Law Enforcement Academy must comply with TCOLE rules including specifically Rule 217.10 Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Initial Licensure. Failure to comply may result in removal from the course.

Criminal Justice Advanced Placement Policy

In order to receive advanced placement credit for academy completion and/or work experience, the applicant must:

  1. Provide appropriate documentation to the College of Applied Sciences Dean.
  2. Apply for admission and complete at least six additional hours of credit at Southwest Texas Junior College.
Students licensed as a Texas Peace Officer will receive advanced placement credit (grade of “P”) for the following courses:

CJLE 1506 Basic Peace Officer I 5 hrs.
CJLE 1512 Basic Peace Officer II 5 hrs.
CJLE 1518 Basic Peace Officer III 5 hrs.
CJLE 1524 Basic Peace Officer IV 5 hrs.
Total 20 hrs.

Students who are certified by TCOLE as a “Telecommunications Operator” will receive advanced placement credit (grade of “P”) for the following course:

CJLE 1303 Basic Telecommunication Certification 3 hrs.

 


Criminal Justice Resources

Occupations

Occupational Profiles

Texas Reality Check

Texas Reality Check will show you how much your living expenses will cost, and the amount of money you will need to earn to pay for them.

Pathful Explore

Pathful Explore offers several resources to support your career readiness and future planning. Pathful Explore takes the guesswork out of planning for your future.  Start exploring and preparing for your career!

Criminal Justice Program Costs

$5,434 for in-state tuition and fees

$11,314 for out-of-state tuition and fees

$2,070 for books and supplies

$8,260 for off-campus room and board

$14,140 for on-campus room and board


Visit with Your Success Coach

Visit with Your Success Coach

Please choose from a virtual appointment or an in-person appointment by clicking on the link to schedule an appointment with your Success Coach.

Schedule an Appointment

I DeLaCruz head shot

Idalia DeLaCruz
Dr. Antonio H. and Gloria Rivera Campus
215 W. Zavala Street
Crystal City, TX 78839
alt="" idelacruz@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 374-2828

Crystal City:
alt="" Schedule an Appointment

Disability Support Services students, please schedule your appointment with Audrey Sturdevant.

Veteran students, please contact our Veteran Affairs Certifying Official to schedule an appointment

Visit with Your Success Coach

Please choose from a virtual appointment or an in-person appointment by clicking on the link to schedule an appointment with your Success Coach.

Schedule an Appointment

L Gloria head shot

Laura Gloria
Building A
207 Wildcat Drive
Del Rio, TX 78840
alt="" lgloria@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 703-1556

Del Rio:
alt="" Schedule an Appointment

Disability Support Services students, please schedule your appointment with Eva De Anda.

International students, please schedule your appointment with Eva De Anda.

Veteran students, please contact our Veteran Affairs Certifying Official to schedule an appointment

Visit with Your Success Coach

Please choose from a virtual appointment or an in-person appointment by clicking on the link to schedule an appointment with your Success Coach.

Schedule an Appointment

A Herrera

Alexya Herrera
Administration & Student Services Building
3101 Bob Rogers Drive
Eagle Pass, TX 78852
alt="" amherrera2@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 758-4156

Eagle Pass:
alt="" Schedule an Appointment

Disability Support Services students, please schedule your appointment with Alexya M. Herrera.

Veteran students, please contact our Veteran Affairs Certifying Official to schedule an appointment

Visit with Your Success Coach

Please choose a virtual appointment by clicking the link to schedule an appointment with your Success Coach.

Schedule a Virtual Appointment

A Conde head shot

Ana Lisa Conde
Virtual Appointments

alt="" analisamartinez@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 591-4152

Hondo Last Name A - K:
alt="" Schedule a Virtual Appointment

A Sturdevant

Audrey Sturdevant
Virtual Appointments

alt="" amsturdevant@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 591-2908

Hondo Last Name L - Z:
alt="" Schedule a Virtual Appointment

Disability Support Services students, please schedule your appointment with Audrey Sturdevant.

Veteran students, please contact our Veteran Affairs Certifying Official to schedule an appointment

Visit with Your Success Coach

Please choose from a virtual appointment or an in-person appointment by clicking on the link to schedule an appointment with your Success Coach.

Schedule an Appointment

A Conde head shot

Ana Lisa Conde
Fly Memorial Building (Building S)
2401 Garner Field Road
Uvalde, TX 78801
alt="" analisamartinez@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 591-4152

Uvalde Last Name A - K:
alt="" Schedule an Appointment

A Sturdevant

Audrey Sturdevant
Fly Memorial Building (Building S)
2401 Garner Field Road
Uvalde, TX 78801
alt="" amsturdevant@swtjc.edu
alt="" (830) 591-2908

Uvalde Last Name L - Z:
alt="" Schedule an Appointment

Disability Support Services students, please schedule your appointment with Audrey Sturdevant.

Veteran students, please contact our Veteran Affairs Certifying Official to schedule an appointment