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Criminal Justice Field of Study

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Program Available at:

  • Brookhaven
  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • El Centro
  • Mountain View
  • North Lake
  • Richland

Catalog Year 2023-2024 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type Field of Study

GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI Must be Complete

For more information, visit the Dallas College Criminal Justice webpage and your success coach at your campus.

This guided pathway is designed to meet the needs of students who plan to major in Criminal Justice at a university. An Associate of Arts degree in this pathway prepares you to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor's degree that opens the door to a career in corrections, probation, government and private security settings.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in Criminal Justice. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an A.A. degree with a Field of Study in Criminal Justice, which will increase your chances of transfer to bachelor's-level programs. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.

Visit http://www.dallascollege.edu/transfer and select “Transfer from Dallas College," then click on a university to view more information about transferring to that institution. Speak with your success coach to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.

SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official degree requirements.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS FIELD OF STUDY DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

HIST 1301 – United States History I This is a Core course.

MATHEMATICS X3XX Core Elective* This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

CRIJ 1301 – Introduction to Criminal Justice This is a required Field of Study Course.

PHED 1164 – Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness* This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE:

  • SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication* This is a Core course.
  • SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking* This is a Core course OR
  • SPCH 1321 – Business and Professional Communication* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  2. At the end of the semester, begin researching colleges and universities where you would want to transfer and major in Criminal Justice.
  3. Meet with your success coach to research your career options with a degree in Criminal Justice.

    Total Hours: 16​

SEMESTER 2

ENGL 1302 – Composition II This is a Core course.

HIST 1302 – United States History II* This is a Core course.

CRIJ 1307 – Crime in America This is a required Field of Study Course.

CRIJ 1306 – Court Systems and Practices This is a required Field of Study Course.

SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career pathway and program of study.
  2. Ask your success coach about transfer options to pursue the bachelor's degree.

    Total Hours: 15​

SEMESTER 3

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

GOVT 2305 – Federal Government This is a Core course.

CREATIVE ARTS ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY, and CULTURE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

CRIJ 1310 – Fundamentals of Criminal Law This is a required Field of Study Course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Begin applying to your top choice universities.
  2. Begin applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships. You can start the FAFSA in December 2023, if you plan to register for classes at a university Fall 2024.
  3. Check with your success coach for important deadlines & dates.

    Total Hours: 16​

SEMESTER 4

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

GOVT 2306 – Texas Government This is a Core course.

CRIJ 2313 – Correctional Systems and Practices This is a required Field of Study Course.

CRIJ 2328 – Police Systems and Practices This is a required Field of Study Course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your success coach for a specific list.

SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the Associate of Arts degree with the Criminal Justice Field of Study.
  2. Sign up for commencement.
  3. Request final transcripts to be sent to the college or university to where you will transfer.
  4. Join the Alumni Network!

    Total Hours: 13​  

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Updated July 15, 2025