DCCCD
CRIMINAL JUSTICE -- BASIC CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Gainful Employment Information(Level I Certificate)
Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, and Mountain View only
- 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.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime In America | 3 |
| 9 |
SEMESTER II
| CRIJ 1306 | Court Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| 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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE -- CRIMINAL FORENSICS
Gainful Employment Information(Level I Certificate)
Eastfield only
- 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.FORENSIC.17
The Criminal Forensics Certificate is designed to prepare an individual for a future career in a very specialized area of Criminal Justice. The Certificate in Forensic Science 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 Criminal Forensics 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 a Certificate in Criminal Forensics will be taught and trained in the basics of the gathering 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.
Criminal 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 criminal forensics. Certain WECM courses may not transfer to the degree requirements for the bachelor's degree.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJSA 1308 | Criminalistics I | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| CJSA 1471 | Forensic Science I | 4 |
| 13 |
SEMESTER II
| CJSA 2323 | Criminalistics II | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America OR | 3 |
| SOCI 2336 | Criminology | (3) |
| CJSA 1400 | Death Investigation I | 4 |
| CJSA 1472 | Forensic Science II | 4 |
| 14 |
SEMESTER III
| CJSA 1401 | Death Investigations II | 4 |
| CRIJ 2314 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CJSA 2332 | Criminalistics III | 3 |
| CJSA 2334 | Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| 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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Gainful Employment Information(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
Cedar Valley, Eastfield and Mountain View only
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites of reading, writing and math.
- If a student does not meet the TSI math assessment they can: retake the TSI Math assessment after preparation, enroll in and pass DMAT 0308 or 0309 or enroll in and pass NCDM 0061.
- 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.CRIM.JUST.08
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 law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole or private security.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 |
| 15 |
SEMESTER II
| CRIJ 1306 | Court Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| 12 |
SEMESTER III
| +++Electives | Criminal Justice Elective (two courses) | 6 |
| 6 |
SEMESTER IV
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government | 3 |
| +Electives | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| ++Electives | Required Support Courses | 9 |
| 15 |
SEMESTER V
| COSC 1301 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| +++Electives | Criminal Justice Elective (one course) | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development OR | 3 |
| SOCI 1306 | Social Problems OR | (3) |
| PSYC 2316 | Psychology of Personality | (3) |
| CJSA 2334 | Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| 12 |
| Minimum Hours Required | 60 |
+Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
++Required Support Courses - must be chosen from the following. Students cannot take more than one cooperative education course during the same semester:
| CJSA 1382 | Cooperative Education - Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 3 |
| 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 |
+++Criminal Justice Elective - must be selected from the following:
| CRIJ 1313 | Juvenile Justice System | 3 |
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2301 | Community Resources in Corrections | 3 |
| #CJSA 1392 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 3 |
| #CJSA 1393 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice Studies | 3 |
#Both CJSA courses are WECM courses and MAY NOT transfer to a four-year program as part of the transferable credits for the four-year degree.
BASIC POLICE ACADEMY
NOTE: A student enrolling in a Basic Police Academy program must meet the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Requirements (TCLEOSE) for minimum standards if you plan to seek employment in the law enforcement field. Students must be 21 years of age at time of enrollment. Additional restrictions include - Students must NOT have:
(A) Been convicted of a misdemeanor offense above the grade of a Class C Misdemeanor within the last 10 years,
(B) Been on court ordered supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class C misdemeanor,
(C) Been convicted of a felony offense or Class A misdemeanor,
(D) Have court or Grand Jury action pending with any cases above a Class C misdemeanor,
(E) Been convicted of any family violence offense,
(F) Been prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle, and
(G) Been prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
(H) Student MUST be a U.S. citizen. (THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THOSE ENROLLING IN THE BASIC POLICE ACADEMY AND NOT TO THOSE WHO ARE ENROLLING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE PROGRAMS.)
The following courses will be given as credit to students who have successfully completed a Basic Police Academy and passed the Texas Basic Peace Officer Licensing Examination through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). A student must meet all registration requirements set forth by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the colleges of the Dallas County Community College District. A student must successfully complete at least six (6) credit hours of Criminal Justice courses (either academic or technical courses) prior to applying for the 5 additional technical courses listed below totaling at least 24 credit hours. The credit awarded will not be assigned a grade, but will be recorded as "credit awarded":
| CJLE 1429 | Basic Peace Officer V | 4 |
| CJLE 1506 | Basic Peace Officer I | 5 |
| CJLE 1512 | Basic Peace Officer II | 5 |
| CJLE 1518 | Basic Peace Officer III | 5 |
| CJLE 1524 | Basic Peace Officer IV | 5 |
| 24 |
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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Gainful Employment Information(Level I Certificate)
Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield and Mountain View only
- 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.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| 9 |
SEMESTER II
| 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) |
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government | 3 |
| 12 |
SEMESTER III
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| 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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Gainful Employment Information(Level II Certificate)
Cedar Valley, Eastfield and Mountain View only
- 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.CRIM.JUST.08
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 45 semester hour requirement.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | 3 |
| 15 |
SEMESTER II
| CRIJ 1306 | Courts Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 1307 | Crime in America | 3 |
| CRIJ 1313 | Juvenile Justice System | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| 15 |
SEMESTER III
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2314 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development | 3 |
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government | 3 |
| 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.
New students who are entering the college for the first time should follow the version on this page.
Show me the April 4, 2017, web published version.
Show me what changed in 2017-2018.
DIGITAL FORENSICS AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATION CERTIFICATE
Gainful Employment Information(Level I Certificate)
Eastfield only
- 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.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
| 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) |
| 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.
