Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Gainful Employment Information(Level 1 Certificate)
- Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: C1.CJ.BASIC.15
This certificate is attached to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and the transfer Field of Study degree in Criminal Justice. It is designed for students who would like exposure to the basic elements of the criminal justice system but who also have the intent of transferring to a Baccalaureate degree-granting institution.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIJ 1306 | Court Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime In America OR | 3 |
| CJSA 2334 | Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices OR | 3 |
| CJSA 1382 | Cooperative Education-Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | (3) |
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices OR | 3 |
| CJSA 1347 | Police Organization and Administration | (3) |
| Semester Total | 9 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 18 | |
|---|---|---|
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Gainful Employment Information(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites of reading and writing.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: AAS.CRIJ.PUB.SAFE
The curriculum 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.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| HMSY 1337 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1306 | Court Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamental of Criminal Law | 3 |
| HMSY 1342 | Understanding and Combatting Terrorism | 3 |
| CJSA 1348 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Semester Total | 12 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ++Electives | Criminal Justice Elective (two courses) | 6 |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJSA 1330 | Cybercrimes | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| +Electives | Required Support Courses (three courses) | 9 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 2306 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| CJSA 1347 | Police Organization and Administration | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development OR | 3 |
| SOCI 2340 | Drug Use and Abuse OR | (3) |
| PSYC 2316 | Psychology of Personality | (3) |
| CJSA 1382 | Cooperative Education-Criminal Justice/Safety Studies OR | 3 |
| CJSA 2334 | Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | (3) |
| Semester Total | 12 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 60 | |
|---|---|---|
+Required Support Courses - must be selected from the following:
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJSA 2382 | Cooperative Education - Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 3 |
| CRIJ 2314 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CRIJ 2323 | Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| PSYT 2321 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
++Criminal Justice Elective - must be selected from the following:
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| #CJSA 1392 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 3 |
| #CJSA 1393 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice Studies | 3 |
| #CMDR 1312 | Introduction to Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution | 3 |
| CRIJ 1313 | Juvenile Justice System | 3 |
| CRIJ 2301 | Community Resources in Corrections | 3 |
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices | 3 |
| HMSY 2306 | Organized Crime and Terrorism | 3 |
| PSYT 2345 | Principles of Behavior Management and Modification | 3 |
#These courses are WECM courses and may not transfer to a four-year program as part of the transferable credits for the four-year degree.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year insitution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
Cedar Valley College and Eastfield College only
Note: Students who want to use the Basic Police Academy as a transition bridge to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety, must complete the following:
- Complete the Basic Police Academy at either Cedar Valley College or Eastfield College,
- Pass the Texas Basic Peace Officer Licensing Examination through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE),
- Meet all registration requirements set forth by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC),
- Meet all registration requirements set forth by the colleges of the Dallas County Community College District,
- Complete CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice and CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices
Upon successful completion of the criteria listed above, students will be awarded an additional 15 SCH of equivalent-articulated credit for the following courses in the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety:
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJSA 1348 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJSA 1382 | Cooperative Education-Criminal Justice/ Safety Studies | 3 |
| CJSA 1392 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 3 |
| CJSA 1393 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice Studies | 3 |
| CJSA 2382 | Cooperative Education-Criminal Justice/ Safety Studies | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Gainful Employment Information(Level 1 Certificate)
- Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: C1.CRIM.JUST.15
This certificate is attached to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and provides the student the skills and academic requirements necessary to qualify for a law enforcement agency with a minimum 30 semester hour requirement.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1306 | Courts Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| PHIL 2306 | Introduction to Ethics OR | 3 |
| CJSA 1348 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | (3) |
| Semester Total | 12 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| PSYT 2345 | Principles of Behavior Management and Modification | 3 |
| SOCI 2340 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 30 | |
|---|---|---|
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Gainful Employment Information(Level 2 Certificate)
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: C2.CJ.CRISIS.INT
This certificate is attached to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and provides the student with a specialized course of study and academic requirements necessary to qualify for a law enforcement agency with a minimum 45 semester hour requirement.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| PSYT 2321 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| CJSA 2334 | Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYT 2345 | Principles of Behavior Management and Modification | 3 |
| HMSY 1337 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| SOCI 2340 | Drug Use and Abuse OR | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America | (3) |
| PSYC 2316 | Psychology of Personality | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2314 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJSA 1347 | Police Organization and Administration | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development OR | 3 |
| CMDR 1312 | Introduction to Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution | (3) |
| CJSA 1330 | Cybercrimes | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 45 | |
|---|---|---|
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
DIGITAL FORENSICS AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATION CERTIFICATE
Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Gainful Employment Information(Level 1 Certificate)
- Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: C1.CJ.DF.PRIV.INV
The Digital Forensics and Private Investigation Certificate is designed to prepare an individual for a future career in a specialized area of Criminal Justice. The Certificate in Digital Forensics and Private Investigation will provide students with the knowledge and skills to become a Texas Private Investigator. Individuals not employed by a law enforcement agency must be licensed as a Private Investigator to perform digital forensic investigations in Texas. The certificate is also designed to provide professional development opportunities to those who are currently employed in related industries.
Job opportunities for students who complete this certificate will be available in local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, Digital crime labs, paternity identification labs, and Homeland Security.
Digital Forensics Science is the application of computer science and investigative procedures for a legal purpose involving the analysis of digital evidence (information of probative value that is stored or transmitted in binary form) after proper search authority, chain of custody, validation with mathematics (hash function), use of validated tools, repeatability, reporting, and possible expert presentation.
Scientific discoveries along with advances in technology have increased the accuracy of forensic results and thus the pursuit of justice. Therefore, it is necessary for this particular certificate to combine the knowledge that comes from different academic disciplines, criminal justice and digital forensics. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, along with private detectives, attorneys and judges, rely heavily on the work of the professionally trained criminal digital forensic investigation specialist.
Course content for the Digital Forensics and Private Investigation Certificate will focus on the basics of the gathering and the analysis of evidence by qualified, experienced faculty from both Eastfield and Richland Colleges. Please note that courses in this certificate will be taught at Eastfield College under the Criminal Justice Program and at Richland College under the Digital Forensic Program.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ITDF 1400 | Introduction to Digital Forensics+ OR | 4 |
| HMSY 1470 | Cyber Terrorism++ OR | (4) |
| ITSY 2443 | Computer System Forensics++ | (4) |
| CJSA 1330 | Cybercrimes++ | 3 |
| CRIJ 2314 | Criminal Investigation++ | 3 |
| HMSY 1337 | Introduction to Homeland Security++ | 3 |
| ITDF 1405 | Digital Data Storage Forensics+ OR | 4 |
| ITSY 1400 | Fundamentals of Information Security++ | (4) |
| SLPS 2330 | Security of Computers and Data++ OR | 3 |
| SLPS 2333 | Private Investigation++ | (3) |
| Semester Total | 20 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 20 | |
|---|---|---|
+These courses will be taught by Richland College Faculty.
++These courses will be taught by Eastfield College Faculty.
In 2015, the Texas Private Security Board approved the Digital Forensics and Private Investigation Certificate in lieu of the required twenty-four (24) months of investigation related experience (as allowed by 35.121(a)(6), when submitted with an associate degree in criminal justice. These students must have the knowledge to pass the Private Investigator license exam. They will obtain that knowledge by successfully completing the identified courses taught through the Eastfield Criminal Justice Program. Individuals who are planning to go into a career related to criminal investigations must have a background and foundation base in digital forensics. They will obtain that knowledge by successfully completing the identified courses taught through the Richland Digital Forensics Program. The merger of these courses provides the opportunity for both groups of students to attain their career goals with the best instruction possible.
The students who enroll at Richland College for the digital forensic courses will be Richland students, and Richland College will report those students. The students who enroll at Eastfield College for the criminal justice courses will be Eastfield College students, and Eastfield College will report those students. It will be an Eastfield College Program and the students will receive their certificate from Eastfield College.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Gainful Employment Information(Level 1 Certificate)
- Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: C1.CJ.FORSCI.TECH
This certificate is designed to prepare an individual for a future career in a very specialized area of Criminal Justice. The certificate will be suitable for students majoring in criminal justice or certain scientific major fields of study that will launch the student into a successful career in forensic science. The certificate will also provide the individual who is already a professional public service criminal justice employee with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills and just provide opportunities for advancement.
Students pursuing this certificate will be taught and trained in the basics of the gathering, collecting, and the analysis of evidence. Job opportunities for students who complete this certificate will be available in local, regional, and national public service police employment.
Forensics is recognized as both an art and a science. Scientific discoveries along with advances in technology have increased the accuracy of forensic results and thus the pursuit of justice. Therefore, it is necessary that individuals who are either currently employed or are seeking future employment in the field of Criminal Justice be educated and trained in the basics of crime scene investigation procedures and evidence collection. Local, state and national law enforcement agencies, along with private detectives, attorneys and judges, rely heavily on the work of the professionally trained forensic specialist.
Students are encouraged to complete an associate degree and then pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in forensics. Certain WECM courses may not transfer to the degree requirements for the bachelor's degree.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJSA 1308 | Criminalistics 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| CJSA 1471 | Forensic Science 1 | 4 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJSA 2323 | Criminalistics 2 | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America OR | 3 |
| SOCI 2336 | Criminology | (3) |
| CJSA 1400 | Death Investigation 1 | 4 |
| CJSA 1472 | Forensic Science 2 | 4 |
| Semester Total | 14 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJSA 1401 | Death Investigations 2 | 4 |
| CRIJ 2314 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJSA 2332 | Criminalistics 3 | 3 |
| CJSA 2334 | Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 40 | |
|---|---|---|
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
