The Criminal Justice Department at Lone Star College-University Park offers an Associate of Arts with a Field of Study in Criminal Justice degree program.
The program prepares students to enter a variety of careers in the criminal justice system or transfer to a four-year university to continue working toward a Bachelor of Criminal Justice. Possible career paths for Criminal Justice graduates include:
- Police Officer
- Private Security or Investigator
- Bailiff or Correctional Officer
- Crime Scene Technician
- Fire Inspector or Fire Investigator
- Loss Prevention
- Victim Services/Support
Students in the Criminal Justice program will receive cutting-edge classroom instruction blended with real-life scenarios. Hands-on educational experiences include investigating mock crime scenes, fingerprinting, handcuffing, and participating in mock trials.
Courses include Intro to Criminal Justice (CRIJ-1301), Court Systems and Practices (CRIJ-1306), Fundamentals of Criminal Law (CRIJ-1310), Correctional Systems and Practices (CRIJ-2313), Police Systems and Practices (CRIJ-2328), and Crime in America (CRIJ-1307).
REGISTER for Criminal Justice classes.
- Composition & Rhetoric - ENGL-1301
- United States History I - HIST-1301
- Intro to Criminal Justice - CRIJ-1301
- Introduction to Physical Fitness & Wellness - PHED-1164
- Learning Framework: 1st Year Experience - EDUC-1300
- Composition & Rhetoric II - ENGL-1302
- Court Systems & Practices - CRIJ-1306
- History Elective - Choose 1 class (3 credits) from options listed
- Creative Arts Elective - Choose 1 class (3 credits) from options listed
- Mathematics Elective - Choose 1 class (3 credits) from options listed
- Federal Government - GOVT-2305
- Fundamentals of Criminal Law - CRIJ-1310
- Correctional Systems & Practices - CRIJ-2313
- Directed Elective – Choose 1 class (3 credits) from options listed
- Life & Physical Sciences Electives - Choose 2 classes (8 credits) from options listed
- Texas Government - GOVT-2306
- Police Systems & Practices - CRIJ-2328
- Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective - Choose 1 class (3 credits) from options listed
- Crime in America - CRIJ-1307
Peace Officers Receive Free Tuition
Are you a Peace Officer? You can enroll now in LSC-University Park's Criminal Justice courses for free. Eligibility requirements are set by the state of Texas and include:
- Provide documentation to prove the following:
- Student is currently employed as a peace officer by the state of Texas or by a political subdivision of this state.
- An eligible peace officer is defined as an individual elected, appointed, or employed to serve as a peace officer for a governmental entity under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law—Texas Government Code, Section 615.003(1)(A).
- Be an undergraduate student enrolled in an eligible criminal justice or law enforcement-related degree or certificate program
- Have filed a selective service statement of registration status; and
- Student must currently have and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
If you meet these requirements, fill out the State Exemption/Waiver Acknowledgement Agreement and reach out to a department contact. Additional information may also be found here.
Department Contacts
Courses are taught by diverse, highly qualified faculty members and offered in face-to-face, fully online and hybrid formats. For those who need additional flexibility, LSC-University Park also offers some Criminal Justice courses in the evenings and Saturdays.
Jermaine Johnson, Ph.D.
Department Chair
Professor of Criminal Justice
281.655.3784
Office: B12.726
Alicia Castillo
Faculty
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
346.395.3272
Office: B12.618
Dave Gaer
Dean of Instruction
281.290.2663
Office: B12.603C