How to Get Started

To get started in the Criminal Justice program, complete the admissions and registration process at Cedar Valley College, Eastfield College or Mountain View College.

When you meet with an academic advisor, mention your interest in the Criminal Justice program so he or she can help you determine which courses you should take.

If you are planning to earn an associate degree or certificate, please note that you must complete 25 percent of your degree requirements at the college awarding the degree.

Tuition

Dallas County residents pay $123 per three-hour class — that’s $41 per credit hour, or less than $500 for a full semester load of 12 credit hours.

Compare that to what you’d pay elsewhere! See DCCCD tuition rates for tuition according to your place of residency.

Courses Offered (Curriculum)

Cedar Valley, Eastfield and Mountain View colleges all offer two Criminal Justice associate degrees as well as three certificates for college credit. See Credit Courses, Degrees and Certificates for more details.

Important note: Before applying to any law enforcement agency, please check with its recruiters to see how many hours of study are required for admission. Requirements vary from agency to agency, and it is your responsibility to know the credit hours needed for the position you are seeking.

Accreditation and Licensing

All Dallas County community colleges are accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and are members of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities (formerly the college section of the Texas State Teachers Association) and the League for Innovation in the Community College.

The state-certified Basic Peace Officer training programs offered at Cedar Valley and Eastfield colleges are licensed through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE).

Related Programs at DCCCD

We offer several related programs that might also interest you, including Conflict Management and a new program in Digital Forensics. Several programs in Forensic Science are also in the final stages of being approved.

Faculty Profiles

Our Criminal Justice faculty members not only have relevant academic degrees but also real-world experience in the field, so they can relate to the challenges you’ll face at work. Our instructors work closely with you one-on-one, encouraging you and helping you to succeed in school and on the job.

Transferring From DCCCD

Many of our Criminal Justice awards are designed for direct entry into the workforce. The Associate in Arts degree with a field of study in Criminal Justice is designed for transfer to a four-year institution of higher education.

If you are interested in earning a degree at a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Services Web site for guidance on the transfer process.

Continuing Your Education in Criminal Justice

Continuing your education in criminal justice or criminology can widen your opportunities in the job market and increase your earning potential.

Many four-year Texas public colleges and universities offer higher education degrees in criminal justice, including:

Links to Additional Information

Get more information about the criminal justice field via these links to professional associations, related federal agencies and more.


Contact Us

If you have questions about the Criminal Justice program that aren’t answered on our Web site, please feel free to contact us.