Criminal Justice and Public Safety A.A.S.

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Law and Public Service Pathway Icon

Program Available at:

  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • Mountain View

For more information, visit the Dallas College Criminal Justice webpage and your success coach at your campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree Criminal Justice and Public Safety. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.

The A.A.S. degree program in Criminal Justice and Public Safety is designed for those with Criminal Justice backgrounds as well as for recent high school graduates interested in preparing for employment in the fields of federal, state, and local law enforcement; also, corrections, probation, and parole or private security. Courses that complete the degree also complete the Basic Criminal Justice Studies Certificate (BC). CJSA, HMSY and PSYT courses may not transfer to a four-year program as part of the transferable credits for the four-year degree. Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult a success coach regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.

Visit http://www.dallascollege.edu/transfer and select "Transfer from Dallas College," then click on a university to view more information about transferring to that institution. Speak with your success coach to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.


Catalog Year       2024-2025      You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type       Associate of Applied Science

GPA Requirement       Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

TSI       Must be Complete in Reading and Writing


SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official degree requirements.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

CRIJ 1301 – Introduction to Criminal Justice This is a Core course. (Course also applies to BC)

CRIJ 1307 – Crime in America This is a Core course.

ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

HMSY 1337 – Introduction to Homeland Security 

BIOL 1322 – Nutrition and Diet Therapy This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  2. Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities with a Criminal Justice degree.

    ​Total Hours: 15​

SEMESTER 2

CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices (Course also applies to BC)

CRIJ 1310 – Fundamentals of Criminal Law

HMSY 1342 – Understanding and Combating Terrorism

CJSA 1348 – Ethics in Criminal Justice (Course also applies to BC)

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to file an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path.
  2. Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding opportunities for job shadowing and placement for Internships.

    ​Total Hours: 12

SEMESTER 3

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ELECTIVE* (CJSA 1393 also applies to BC)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ELECTIVE*

* Criminal Justice Electives must be selected from the following: CJSA 1392, CJSA 1393, CRIJ 1313, HMSY 2306, PSYT 2345

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with faculty advisor or success coach for placement in the Cooperative Education Course, if needed.

    ​Total Hours: 6

SEMESTER 4

CJSA 1330 – Cybercrime (Course also applies to BC)

REQUIRED SUPPORT COURSE*

REQUIRED SUPPORT COURSE*

REQUIRED SUPPORT COURSE*

CHOOSE ONE: 

  • SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication This is a Core course OR
  • SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking This is a Core course.
* Required Support Courses must be chosen from the following: CJSA 2382, CRIJ 2314, CRIJ 2323, CRIJ 2328, PSYT 2321

SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with faculty advisor or success coach for placement in the Cooperative Education Course, if needed.
  2. Meet with your success coach for assistance in preparing for job search.

    ​Total Hours: 15​

SEMESTER 5

PHIL 2306 – Introduction to Ethics This is a Core course.

CJSA 1347 – Police Organization and Administration

CHOOSE ONE:

CHOOSE ONE:

  • CJSA 1382 – Cooperative Education-Criminal Justice Safety Studies Capstone course for this award. OR
  • CJSA 2334 – Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Capstone course for this award. (Course also applies to BC)

SEMESTER 5 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the Criminal Justice and Public Safety A.A.S. and Basic Criminal Justice Certificate.
  2. Sign up for commencement.
  3. Join the Alumni Network!

    Total Hours: 12​  

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS