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.
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.
Career Data
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
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.