Criminal Justice

Q: Why should I study criminal justice at San Jacinto College?

The San Jacinto College criminal justice program offers a career path that gives back to the community by supporting public safety and preparing you to serve as a professional in the field. It prepares you to specialize in areas aligned with long-term goals that can lead to careers in social work, the FBI, prelaw, homeland security, and emergency management. It is designed for those pursuing a challenging career in criminal justice and is often considered a modern liberal arts degree because it combines communication, critical thinking, and social science.

Q: What is the Criminal Justice AAS degree? Can I receive credit towards the degree if I am already a police officer?

The Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree provides the education needed for careers in policing, social work, corrections, and probation and parole. The program also offers certificates that focus on specific career paths and areas of study. Police officers who complete a basic police academy and pass the state licensing exam may qualify for credit for prior learning through San Jacinto College. To receive credit, officers must complete at least one credit hour at the college. Please contact the department chair for more information.

Certificate Technical Degree

Looking for a path that blends public service, problem-solving, and real-world impact? Criminal Justice leads to careers in law enforcement, emergency management, probation, security, legal services, and more. Each is rooted in service, responsibility, and positive change.

Criminal justice explores how laws are created, how they are enforced, and how justice systems work to maintain safety, fairness, and accountability in society. A criminal justice degree prepares you with the knowledge and skills to pursue meaningful careers and make a real difference in your community.

Understand how the justice system works

Learn how law enforcement, courts, and corrections function together to uphold the law and protect the public.

Build career-ready skills

Develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, and problem-solving skills valued in justice, public service, and beyond.

Serve and strengthen your community

Prepare to play a role in promoting safety, fairness, and trust within the communities you serve.

Flexible career pathways

Prepare for careers in law enforcement, corrections, legal services, homeland security, or transfer to a four-year university.

Careers

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

$56,892

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$75,452

Emergency Management Directors

$101,865

Opportunities

The AAS degree helps you get started in jobs like policing, social work, corrections, probation, and parole.

Police Officers
Parole Officers
Probation Officers
Correctional Officers
Juvenile Officers
Adult or Child Protective Service Officers
Social Workers
Pre-law
Emergency Management
Homeland Security
FBI

Locations

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Salary Source: Texas Wages

Criminal Justice Core, Occupational Certificate

Certificate

The Occupational Certificate prepares you for the AAS degree or Certificate of Technology program or to advance in your current career. You’ll gain an introduction to criminal justice, learning about fundamentals of criminal law, police systems, and correctional systems. You’ll complete a capstone experience at the end in court systems and practices.

4 Months

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 15 credits for this certificate in one term.

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Criminal Justice, AAS

Technical Degree

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares you with the skills needed to launch your career. Take the opportunity to earn three certificates on the pathway to your degree. The AAS transfers to a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science (BAAS) degree at many universities.

2 Years

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 60 credits for this program in four terms.

This degree is also offered online.

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Criminal Justice, Certificate of Technology

Certificate

The Certificate of Technology prepares you for the degree program, an entry-level career, or advancement in your current career. This certificate will teach you about police systems and practices, interviewing and report writing, and criminal investigations. Your certificate will culminate in a capstone experience in the legal aspects of law enforcement.

1 Year

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 30 credits for this certificate in two terms.

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Criminal Justice, Dispatch, Occupational Certificate

Certificate

Do you desire to be the one who answers someone's call in an emergency or in need of life-saving care? If so, studying for emergency dispatch at San Jacinto College is an excellent place to begin, as the role of today's public safety telecommunicator is critical to society. Our program prepares you for a meaningful career in emergency communications and management.

1 Year

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 16 credits for this certificate in two terms.

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Criminal Justice, Level 2 Certificate

Certificate

The Level 2 Certificate prepares you for the degree program, an entry-level career, or advancement in your current career. Take classes that build upon your law enforcement knowledge, exploring ethics in criminal justice, the juvenile justice system, community resources in corrections, and more. Your certificate will culminate in a capstone experience in the legal aspects of law enforcement.

1.5 Years

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 45 credits for this certificate in three terms.

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Students can choose to move on to a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, by transferring to a 4 year university. Learn more about transferring.

Ready to take the first step toward an exciting future? It’s time to apply to San Jac. We’ll guide you through the process and help you start building your future, today.

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Big decision, simple answers. Let’s clear it up.

Why should I study criminal justice at San Jacinto College?

The San Jacinto College criminal justice program:

Offers a career path that gives back to the community. Studying criminal justice at San Jacinto College supports public safety while preparing you to serve as a professional in the field.
Prepares you to specialize in areas aligned with long-term goals that can lead to careers in social work, the FBI, prelaw, homeland security, and emergency management.
Is designed for those pursuing a challenging career in criminal justice. The field is often considered a modern liberal arts degree because it combines communication, critical thinking, and social science.

What is the Criminal Justice AAS degree? Can I receive credit towards the degree if I am already a police officer?

The Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science degree provides the education needed for careers in policing, social work, corrections, and probation and parole. The program also offers certificates that focus on specific career paths and areas of study.

Police officers who complete a basic police academy and pass the state licensing exam may qualify for credit for prior learning through San Jacinto College. To receive credit, officers must complete at least one credit hour at the college.

Please contact the department chair for more information.

What can I do with a criminal justice degree?

A criminal justice degree can lead to careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, private security, legal support, and public service.

It’s also a strong foundation for transferring to a four-year university or pursuing graduate or professional programs like law school.

Is this program only for students who want to be police officers?

Not at all. While many students pursue law enforcement, the program also prepares you for roles in corrections, probation and parole, victim advocacy, legal services, homeland security, and other justice-related fields.

Does the program include hands-on or real-world learning?

Yes. Many courses include hands-on activities, case studies, and instruction from faculty with real-world criminal justice experience. These courses help you connect classroom learning to how the system works in real life.