Criminal Justice

Certificate Technical Degree

Want to make the world a better, safer place? Get hands-on training to prepare for a career in fields such as law enforcement, emergency management, homeland security, probation, and social work.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree offers the educational foundation needed in policing, social work, corrections, probation, and parole. In addition, the program has certificates that focus on educational direction and are centered around professional fields.

Career Opportunities

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

Earning Potential

Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher starting salary: $20.69/hour
Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy starting salary: $23.25/hour
Harris County detention officer starting salary: $41,080/year
Pasadena Police Department patrol officer starting salary: $69,945/year
Rosenberg Police Department police officer starting salary: $63,470/year
Webster Police Department police officer starting salary: $65,631/year

For more salary information, check out Texas Wages.

Locations

Central Campus
North Campus
San Jac Online

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 for an entry-level 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.

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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.

IMPORTANT LINKS

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Filter Through 200+ Programs

Credit. Noncredit. Associate of Arts degrees. Associate of Applied Science degrees. Technical Certificates. Occupational Certificates. The list of programs we have here at San Jacinto runs far and wide. Not exactly sure what you’re looking for? Check out everything we offer.

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A Professional Edge Through Physical Training

When preparing for a job in criminal justice, the gym is your classroom, too.

This cross-discipline approach is creating collaboration and interaction that is fun and interesting, while allowing students to gain some very technical knowledge.”

John White

Criminal Justice Professor

At our Central Campus, the HIRE initiative (Hire-ability Improvement = Realistic Employment) prepares criminal justice students to ace their job interviews and succeed in their careers. But instead of a classroom professor, students work with personal trainers. This can be helpful for future job opportunities.