Serve. Protect. Lead.
Our Criminal Justice program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, and emergency management. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses in criminal law, criminal investigation, and ethics, providing a solid foundation for those seeking to make a positive impact in public safety and justice.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Job Entry Requirements. In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec 53.152, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the program’s department chair.
Learning & Career Pathway
This learning pathway - a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees - includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.
- Criminal Justice, Dispatch, Occupational Certificate (3 months)
- Criminal Justice Core, Occupational Certificate (4 months)
- Criminal Justice, Certificate of Technology (1 year)
- Criminal Justice, Level 2 Certificate (2 years)
- Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science Degree (2 years)
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the criminal justice systems (police, courts, and corrections).
- Identify the elements of a crime and their appropriate punishments.
- Assemble and display the necessary skills to communicate effectively in a professional setting.
- Assess the characteristics of an ethical system of justice that exists within a diverse society and be aware of their social responsibility.
- Determine an approach for securing and processing a crime scene.
- Differentiate and adapt to the internal and external operations of the criminal justice system.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated from the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
There are no additional admission requirements for the Criminal Justice program; you only need to complete your application to the College, as noted in “College Admission” above, and follow the enrollment steps.
Plan of Study
5CRIJ
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1301/CJSA 1322 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIJ 1306/CJSA 1313 | Court Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 1310/CJSA 1327 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 2328/CJSA 1359 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2313/CJCR 1307 | Correctional Systems and Practices | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Term | ||
| CRIJ 1307/CJSA 1312 | Crime in America | 3 |
| CJLE 1327 | Interviewing and Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professions | 3 |
| CRIJ 2323/CJSA 2300 | Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CRIJ 2314/CJSA 1342 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJSA 1348 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Term | ||
| CRIJ 2301 | Community Resources in Corrections | 3 |
| CJSA 2323 | Criminalistics II | 3 |
| CRIJ 1313/CJSA 1317 | Juvenile Justice System | 3 |
| CJSA 1351 | Use of Force | 3 |
| CJLE 1333 | Traffic Law and Investigation | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
Capstone Experience: CRIJ 2323 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement or CJSA 2300 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement