Grayson College offers an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Certificate in Law Enforcement. Majoring in Criminal Justice will help prepare the student for a number of careers in criminal justice including police officer, sheriff’s deputy, state police officer, and federal law enforcement positions. Employment opportunities also exist serving as a corrections officer, probation officer, parole officer, and the corporate world of loss prevention.
The entire Criminal Justice AAS degree program is also available in an online format.
CJSA courses may also be taken for non-credit through the GC Continuing Education Division.
Admission to Grayson College requires a high school diploma or an equivalent and that all TSI requirements are met.
Grayson County Sheriff's Office, Sherman Police Department, Denison Police Department, Pottsboro Police Department, Howe Police Department, Buster Cole State Jail and the Choice Moore Transfer Facility.
| Subject | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| CRIJ 1301 (Intro to Criminal Just.) | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 (Composition I) | 3 |
| MATH 1314 (College Algebra) | 3 |
| CRIJ 1306 (Court Systems Practices) | 3 |
| ENGL 2311 (Technical and Business Writing) | 3 |
| HIST 1301 (United States History I) | 3 |
| CRIJ 1310 (Fundamentals of Criminal Law) | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 (Introduction to Speech and Communication) | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences Core | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences Lab Core | 1 |
| CRIJ 2313 (Correctional Systems and Practices) | 3 |
| GOVT 2305 (Federal Government) | 3 |
| HIST 1302 (United States History II) | 3 |
| CRIJ 2328 (Police Systems and Practices) | 3 |
| Social & Behavior Sciences Core Option | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences Core | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences Lab Core | 1 |
| PHED 1164 (Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness) | 1 |
| Criminal Justice Elective | 3 |
| GOVT 2306 (Texas Government) | 3 |
| Creative Arts Core | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core | 3 |
| total: | 60 |
| Subject | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| * Any Four CRIJ/CJSA courses | 12 |
| CJLE 1506 (Basic Peace Officer I) | 5 |
| CJLE 1512 (Basic Peace Officer II) | 5 |
| CJLE 1518 (Basic Peace Officer III) | 5 |
| CJLE 1524 (Basic Peace Officer IV) | 5 |
| CJLE 1111 (Basic Firearms) | 1 |
| total: | 33 |
Capstone Requirement: All students must pass the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Exam.
Corrections in the criminal justice system; organization of correctional systems; correctional role; institutional operations; alternatives to institutionalization; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues. End-Of- Course Outcomes: Describe historical trends; identify the organization and role of corrections; distinguish operations and procedure within correctional programs; and evaluate rehabilitation, alternatives to institutionalization, and future issues.
An introductory study of the role of the community in corrections; community programs for adults and juveniles; administration of community programs; legal issues; future trends in community treatment. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Identify alternatives to incarceration; compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses inherent in contemporary models of intermediate sanctions; and appraise future trends in community treatment options.
Introduction to the field of criminalistics. Topics include the application of scientific and technical methods in the investigation of crime Including location, identification, and handling of evidence for scientific analysis.
American crime problems in historical perspective; social and public policy factors affecting crimes; impact and crime trends; social characteristics of specific crime; prevention of crime. End-of-Course Outcomes: Explain the psychological, social, and economic impact of crime in society; and identify characteristics and prevention of major crimes. Cross Reference: This course is parallel to the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) course, CRIJ 1307.
The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American court system; prosecution; right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence, sentencing. End-of-Course Outcomes: Describe the American judiciary system and its structure; identify the roles of judicial officers; identify the trial processes from pretrial to sentencing; and interpret the role of evidence.
History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; crime defined; its nature and impact; overview of criminal justice system; law enforcement; prosecution and defense; trial process; corrections. End-of-Course Outcomes: Describe and explain the history, philosophy and ethical considerations of criminal justice; define the nature and impact of crime on society and how it is integrated in to the criminal justice system; distinguish between the civil and criminal courts; and interpret the relationship between the components of the criminal justice system.
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; criminal responsibility. End-of-Course Outcomes: Explain the historical and philosophical development of the nature of criminal law; describe definitions and concepts of criminal law, classifications of crimes, the elements of offenses and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; and discuss criminal responsibilities as they apply to the criminal statutes.
Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; source of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Define the goals and objectives of criminal investigations; illustrate the use of forensic science for various statutory offenses; and organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, crime scene activities, and mandatory documentation of statutory warning.
The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Explain the application of ethics, discretion, and sensitivity to the police profession; and describe the organization of law enforcement systems and its relationship to current and future issues.
Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course was designed to be multiple times to improve student proficiency.
Police authority; responsibilities; constitutional constraints; laws of arrest, search, and seizure; police liability. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Define police authority, explain the responsibilities and constitutional restraints as enumerated in the Texas Constitution, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Outline the law of arrest and search and seizure developed through court decisions and describe the criminal and civil liability that result from improper acts and/or the failure to act.
Theory and practice of crime scene investigation. Topics include report writing, blood and other body fluids, document examination, etchings, casts and molds, glass fractures, use of microscope, and firearms identification.
An experience external to the college for an advanced student in a specialized field involving a written agreement between the educational institution and a criminal justice agency. Mentored and supervised by a workplace employee, the student achieves objectives that are developed and documented by the college and that are directly related to specific occupational outcomes. This may be a paid or unpaid experience. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.
This course provides a historical and philosophical overview of the American criminal justice system, including the nature, extent, and impact of crime; criminal law; and justice agencies and processes.
This course is a study of the court system as it applies to the structures, procedures, practices and sources of law in American courts, using federal and Texas statutes and case law.
American crime problems in historical perspective, social and public policy factors affecting crime, impact and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and prevention of crime.
This course is the study of criminal law including application of definitions, statutory elements, defenses and penalties using Texas statutes, the Model Penal Code, and case law. The course also analyzes the philosophical and historical development of criminal law and criminal culpability.
Study of 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.
An introductory study of the role of the community in corrections; community programs for adults and juveniles; administration of community programs; legal issues; future trends in community treatment.
This course is a survey of institutional and noninstitutional corrections. Emphasis will be placed on the organization and operation of correctional systems; treatment and rehabilitation; populations served; Constitutional issues; and current and future issues.
Investigative theory, collection and preservation of evidence, sources of information, interview and interrogation, uses of forensic sciences, case and trial preparation.
Police authority, responsibilities, constitutional restraints, laws of arrest, search and seizure, and police liability.
This course examines the establishment, role and function of police in a democratic society. It will focus on types of police agencies and their organizational structure, police-community interaction, police ethics, and use of authority.
Last updated: 04/20/2022