Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice professionals perform a valuable and essential service for society. They function to prevent and control crime, shield the public from harm, provide detention and rehabilitation services and ensure equal justice for all citizens through the judicial system.
The curriculum in Criminal Justice has been designed to prepare individuals for careers in law enforcement and related occupations. Supported by a broad general education, training is given to develop professional competence in the fields of law enforcement administration, police investigations, the prevention and control of delinquency and crime, court systems and correctional systems. This curriculum is applicable to both the preparatory student and the experienced officer.
Overview
This transfer curriculum includes several courses in criminal justice with the remaining courses in related areas, general education and electives. It is is designed for students who plan to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice at a senior college or university after completing their studies at Galveston College.* Instruction includes both the theoretical concepts and practical applications needed for future success in the criminal justice field.
Upon successful completion of the prescribed courses, the student will be eligible to graduate from Galveston College with an Associate of Science degree. The graduate will also meet the requirements to transfer to a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s degree.
AA Criminal Justice: Full-Time or Part-Time Path
Degree Audit Program Code: AA-CRIMINAL-JUSTICE
Total Semester Credit Hours: 60
Notes:
* Degree requirements may vary among different senior institutions. Students should
consult an advisor for specific course selection.
+ Denotes courses required for the Criminal Justice Field of Study Curriculum as adopted
by the State of Texas for Criminal Justice majors who attend a public higher education
institution in the State of Texas.
1 HIST 2301 may be substituted for either HIST 1301 or HIST 1302.
2 MATH 1314 is suggested or select one course from: MATH 1324 or 1342
3 Select one course from ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, COMM 2366, DRAM 1310, DRAM 2361, DRAM
2366, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1310.
4 Select one course from PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, SOCI 1306, SOCI 2319.
5 Select one course from BIOL 1322, BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL
2421, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2423, CHEM 2425, ENVR 1301, ENVR 1302,
KINE 1301, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 2425, or PHYS 2426.
6 Select one course from ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL
2333, HIST 2312, HUMA 1302, PHIL 1301, PHIL 2306, PHIL 2307.
CRIJ 1301 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations, crime defined
its nature and impact, overview of criminal justice system, prosecution and defense,
trial process, and corrections.
CRIJ 1306 COURT SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
The judiciary in the criminal justice system, right to counsel, pre-trial release,
grand juries, adjudication process, types and rules of evidence, and sentencing.
CRIJ 1307 CRIME IN AMERICA
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
American crime problems in historical perspective, social and public factors affecting
crime, impact and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and prevention
of crime. (Usually taught concurrently with SOCI 2336. Credit can only be earned for
one of these courses. See a counselor for registration information.)
CRIJ 1310 FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL LAW
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
A study of the nature of criminal law, philosophical and historical development, major
definitions and concepts, classification of crime, elements of crimes and penalties
using Texas statutes as illustrations, and criminal responsibility.
CRIJ 1313 JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
A study of the juvenile justice process to include specialized juvenile law, role
of the juvenile law, role of the juvenile courts, role of police agencies, role of
correctional agencies, and theories concerning delinquency.
CRIJ 2301 COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN CORRECTIONS
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
An introductory study of the role of the community in corrections, community programs
for adults and juveniles, administration of community programs, legal issues, and
future trends in community treatment.
CRIJ 2313 CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS & PRACTICES
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
Corrections in the criminal justice system, organization of correctional systems,
correctional role, institutional operations, alternatives to institutionalization,
treatment and rehabilitation, and current and future issues.
CRIJ 2314 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
Investigative theory, collection and preservation of evidence, sources of information,
interview and interrogation, uses of forensic sciences, case, and trial preparation.
CRIJ 2323 LEGAL ASPECTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
Police authority, responsibilities, constitutional restraints, laws of arrest, search
and seizure, and police liability.
CRIJ 2328 POLICE SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES
Credit: 3
Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied in literacy.
The police profession, organization of law enforcement systems, the police role, police
discretion, ethics, police-community interaction, and current and future issues.
Employment of legal occupations is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations, which will result in about 116,200 new jobs.
The median annual wage for legal occupations was $80,080 in May 2017, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $37,690.
As law firms try to increase the efficiency of legal services and reduce their costs, there is expected to be strong demand to hire many more paralegals and legal assistants.
Additionally, the demand for lawyers is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and governments require legal services in many areas.
Next Steps
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