×

LSC-University Park Criminal Justice Department

Criminal Justice

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

Make LSC part of your story.