The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees approved a new degree in Criminal Justice during its regular meeting on Monday, April 1. The new degree will support seamless transfer for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree was designed to provide foundational education and knowledge for students planning to pursue a four-year degree. It was developed in partnership with primary transfer institutions to ensure all classes transfer and apply to a baccalaureate degree at the receiving institutions. According to college data, more than 70% of students in the Criminal Justice program say they intend to transfer.
The workforce demand continues to grow. In 2023, more than 2,700 criminal justice jobs were posted in the ACC service area.
The college’s new program will include study in legal aspects of law enforcement, corrections, judiciary, and the supporting criminal justice system, plus investigating and ethical dilemmas. Students will leave ACC with a vision for the future of law enforcement, probation, and service to the community and communication skills to effectively meet the challenges and issues facing law enforcement today. Additionally, students can take six Criminal Justice courses, allowing them to return to ACC and complete the Texas Peace Officer Licensing Certificate Program.
The new degree program will be submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for approval.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/criminaljustice.