The Cisco College Criminal Justice program provides students with a basic understanding of the parts of the criminal justice system, as well as expanded knowledge in specialized fields of study. Students will be prepared to work in a variety of of roles, including police officers, probation officers, criminologists, customs officials, correctional officers, public and private investigators, and research and planning analysts.

A student receiving a degree, Level I, or Level II certificate must complete the capstone requirements. The Criminal Justice courses in this plan are recommended by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Some courses will transfer to various 4-year universities. Verify course transferability with the university you plan to attend.

Prerequisites

There is no special selection criteria for this program

Future Students:

Apply Now

Current Students:

Register Now

About this Program

Degrees & Certifications Program Length
Associate of Applied Science Four semesters
Criminal Justice Level II Certificate Three semesters
Criminal Justice Level I Certificate Two semesters

What Can This Program Do For You

  • Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science Degree Plan
    First SemesterSecond Semester
    CJSA 1322/ CRIJ 1301** Intro to Criminal Justice3CJSA 1312/ CRIJ 1307 Crime in America3
    CJSA 1342/ CRIJ 2314** Criminal Investigation3CJCR 1307/CRIJ 2313** Correctional Systems & Practices3
    CJSA 1359/ CRIJ 2328** Police Systems & Practices3CJSA 1313/ CRIJ 1306** Court Systems & Practices3
    CJSA 1327/ CRIJ 1310** Fundamentals of Criminal Law3CJSA 1317/ CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice3
    CJSA 1325 Criminology3CJSA 1348 Ethics in Criminal Justice3
    TOTAL15TOTAL15
    Third SemesterFourth Semester
    CJLE 1345 Crime Scene Investigation3CJSA 2300/ CRIJ 2323 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement3
    Criminal Justice Approved Elective3Criminal Justice Approved Elective3
    ENGL 1301 Composition I3MATH 1314 or MATH 13323
    SPCH 1315 Public Speaking3PSYC 2301 General Psychology3
    Creative Arts*3GOVT 2305 Federal Government3
    TOTAL15TOTAL15
    TOTAL DEGREE HOURS60

    *See core curriculum course option
    **Field of Study Curriculum. (CRIJ courses only.) 

    Some students may need preparatory courses in English, Reading, or Math. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a certificate or degree

  • Criminal Justice Level II Certificate Plan
    First SemesterSecond Semester
    CJSA 1322/ CRIJ 1301** Intro to Criminal Justice3CJSA 1312/ CRIJ 1307 Crime in America
    CJSA 1342/ CRIJ 2314 Criminal Investigation3CJCR 1307/CRIJ 2313** Correctional Systems & Practices3
    CJSA 1359/ CRIJ 2328** Police Systems & Practices3CJSA 1313/ CRIJ 1306** Court Systems & Practices3
    CJSA 1327/ CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law3CJSA 1317/ CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice3
    CJSA 1325 Criminology3Criminal Justice Approved Elective3
    TOTAL15TOTAL15
    Third Semester
    CJLE 1345 Crime Scene Investigation3
    Criminal Justice Approved Elective3
    CJSA 1348 Ethics in Law Enforcement3
    CJSA 2300/ CRIJ 2323 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement3
    TOTAL12
    TOTAL CERTIFICATE HOURS42

    **Field of Study Curriculum. (CRIJ courses only.) 

  • Criminal Justice Level I Certificate Plan
    First SemesterSecond Semester
    CJSA 1322/ CRIJ 1301** Intro to Criminal JusticeCJSA 1312/ CRIJ 1307 Crime in America
    CJSA 1342/ CRIJ 2314 Criminal Investigation3CJCR 1307/ CRIJ 2313** Correctional Systems & Practices3
    CJSA 1359/ CRIJ 2328** Police Systems & Practices3CJSA 1313/ CRIJ 1306 Court Systems & Practices3
    CJSA 1327/ CRIJ 1310** Fundamentals of Criminal Law3CJSA 1317/ CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice3
    CJSA 1325 Criminology33
    TOTAL15TOTAL12
    TOTAL CERTIFICATE HOURS27

    **Field of Study Curriculum. (CRIJ courses only.) 

  • Potential Career Paths

    Police Officer

    Sheriff

    Paralegal

    Correctional Officer

    Private Investigator

    Fish and Game Warden

    Crime Scene Technician

    Bailiff

    Police Dispatch

    Security Officer

  • Salary Information

    Links to the following websites are provided for your convenience and information and do not constitute official endorsement by Cisco College. 

Cisco College is a small campus and I really don’t think I would have gotten that kind of support and education from a larger university. I never felt like just another number. The foundation that was set for me has truly made a difference in my studies. I not only learned the necessary material, but it was taught in a way that also improved my critical thinking.

– Ashlyn Orms

Meet the Faculty

James Berry

Professor of Criminal Justice
Abilene Campus
(325) 794-4434
james.berry@cisco.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Herman (Brack) Dempsey

Adjunct Instructor - Criminal Justice
Abilene Campus
herman.dempsey@cisco.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Stephanie Hughes

Adjunct Instructor - Criminal Justice
Abilene Campus
stephanie.hughes@cisco.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Michael Thompson

Adjunct Instructor - Criminal Justice
Abilene Campus
michael.thompson@cisco.edu

Curriculum Vitae