Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

associate degree options

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE (AS) – CRIMINAL JUSTICE

At Midland College, an Associate of Applied Science for Law Enforcement provides education and training in law enforcement and may qualify the graduate for admission into the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) at MC or a Bachelor of Applied Science program offered at other colleges or universities.

The program requires 60 credit hours and can be completed in two years. Courses include criminal procedures, evidence, ethics, criminal law, traffic enforcement, criminology, investigation, report writing, and victimology. General education courses are mandatory as well and depending on the program you choose. Students may also receive training in firearms and self-defense tactics. MC has articulation agreements with four-year universities, enabling you to transfer your associate degree credits toward a bachelor's degree program.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Law Enforcement

The Associate of Science for Criminal Justice is designed to provide courses at the freshman and sophomore levels for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university with a major or minor in criminal justice.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has designated five courses in the Criminal Justice Field of Study (CJFOS).

The designated CJFOS courses are:

• CRIJ 1301 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CRIJ 1306 – Court Systems & Practices
• CRIJ 1310 – Fundamentals of Criminal Law
• CRIJ 2313 – Correctional Systems & Practices
• CRIJ 2328 – Police Systems & Practices

The CJFOS core of courses are guaranteed to transfer to upper-level institutions and apply towards a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice. When transferring, please refer to this document from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to see if your receiving institution has designed any additional courses as required/preferred for their degree plan. If your receiving institution has not designated any additional courses, please reach out to your receiving institution for additional advising.

The Criminal Justice degree program is designed to meet the needs of students pursuing a career in one of several areas of the criminal justice system. The curriculum provides students with both the opportunity and assistance to acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the roles of policing, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, and laws as they contribute to social order. It further provides a theoretical foundation of the discipline and offers a thorough understanding of contemporary scientific methods as applied to criminal justice.

certificate

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CERTIFICATE

The Law Enforcement Certificate is available to individuals who need to document certain course work.

Universities offering advanced degrees in Criminal Justice

• Sul Ross State University
• University of Texas of the Permian Basin
• Angelo State University
• University of Texas at Arlington
• Sam Houston State University

Midland College has articulation agreements with a variety of schools and programs to assist our students with transferring to a university. Our curriculum maps, located in the catalog, provide a guided path for general transfer to our top five receiving institutions; however, your Pathways Advisor can assist you with a personalized plan for your specific transfer based on university and program. It is strongly recommended and encouraged that you contact your Pathways Advisor for assistance with course selection if you plan to transfer.

Marketable Skills

Pursuing a degree in this field of study will provide marketable skills in these areas:

• Speaking – Talking to others
• Critical Thinking – Analyzing and evaluating in order to make an informed judgment
• Reading Comprehension – Reading work-related information with understanding and ability to apply the law and policy and procedures
• Learning Strategies – Knowing how to learn, based on effective training and learning strategies
• Active Listening – Listening to others to better identify the needs, challenges and successes of employers and the public
• Instructing – The ability to teach a subject or skill
• Writing – The ability to convey thoughts and ideas in clearly and comprehensively
• Active Learning – The ability to apply ideas and concepts to solve problems, either individually or collaboratively
• Judgment and Decision Making – The ability to consider options and come to sensible conclusions while applying the law and policy and procedures 
• Monitoring – Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
• Complex Problem Solving – The capability to solve new, ill-defined problems by considering alternative solutions
• Time Management – Effectively and productively managing your time and the time of other people

Career Opportunities

Depending on the levels of education and experience achieved, possible career paths include:

• Police office
• Probation officer
• Border patrol officer
• Compliance officer
• Corrections officer
• A sheriff or deputy sheriff
• A state police officer, trooper or highway patrol officer
• Security director

Demand

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is projected to grow 7% from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The continued need for public safety is expected to lead to new openings for officers, although demand may vary by location.

Local, State Law Enforcement Agencies

• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Midland Police Department
• Midland County Sheriff's Office
• Lubbock Police Department
• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• University of Texas System Police

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Marshals Service
• U.S. Secret Service
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
• Department of Homeland Security

State Criminal Justice Agencies

• Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Texas Bureau of Pardons and Paroles
• Texas Attorney General
• Texas Courts

To be considered for a scholarship, please follow the link below:

General Scholarships