Program Curriculum

(66 semester credit hours)

An Associate in Applied Science degree offered by the Division of Social and Behavioral Science.

The program in law enforcement is de­signed to prepare the student for the state licensing exam for peace officers and immedi­ate employment in law enforcement.

 (CC)  = Capstone Course

*Required courses for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licensing exam and must be taken in sequence in successive semesters as offered.

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Work/Life Experience Policy

The Criminal Justice program has developed the following mechanism to assist those persons employed in the criminal justice field to satisfy degree requirements for their work/life experience and in-service training.

Students who wish to obtain an applied science degree from the college in Law Enforcement  and are certified peace officers in the state of Texas may satisfy degree requirements for Basic Peace Officer courses and for Internship I and II courses by meeting the following criteria and paying $12.00 per credit hour.  (Students must have taken and successfully completed 24 hours of transferable college credit from Wharton County Junior College prior to receiving credit for the Peace Officer and Internship courses.)  Criminal Justice department head approval is required for permission to satisfy degree requirements in this manner.

The prerequisites for work/life and in-service training credit are as follows:

1.         The applicant must be currently employed with a criminal justice agency and have at least six months experience, and;

2.         The applicant must submit a résumé and all supporting documentation to the head of the department for evaluation, and;

3.          The applicant must secure a letter of verification from the chief administrator of the employing agency attesting to the information contained in the applicant’s résumé and supporting documentation, regarding the prerequisites and criteria required by this policy, and;

4.          The applicant must pay all fees required by the college.

·     No credit by résumé is applicable until the applicant has earned an equivalent number of hours at Wharton County Junior College.

Credit for the following courses may be awarded by résumé under the work/life experience policy:

These classes are courses required for graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree from Wharton County Junior College.