Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

This two-year program prepares students for a career in Law Enforcement. Upon successful completion of the program, students obtain an AAS degree and the opportunity to take the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) State Licensing Exam. This program satisfies all the educational requirements for such agencies as the Houston Police Department and the Department of Public Safety. Most of the coursework may be taken at any of the HCC campuses; however, the last semester must be taken at HCC Northeast Campus.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) allows students to earn only one AAS in Criminal Justice.

In addition, please note that a student may only earn one Occupational Skills Award (OSA) per academic year.

You can not be placed in any Law Enforcement AAS plan until you have completed the TCOLE certificate (Basic Peace Officer Academy).

TSI testing required prior to first enrollment for all AAS degrees and Level II certificates.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) establishes eligibility. HCC requires documentation that a cadet is ready for college-level reading and writing prior to admission. A member of our staff will examine your transcript to determine if you meet the academic prerequisites.

The general requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• College-Ready Reading & Writing
• 21 Years of Age Before Graduation from the Academy
• Generally No Prior Convictions, Community Supervision, or Deferred Adjudication
• Examination by a Physician, Including a Drug Screening
• Examination by a Psychologist
• Honorable Discharge if Prior Military Service
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• United States Citizen
• Social Security Card

• Full-time: The full-time academy meets Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., for approximately six months.
• Part-time Day: The part-time day academy meets Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., for approximately ten months.
• Part-time Evening: The part-time evening academy meets Monday through Friday, 5:30 until 10 p.m., for approximately ten months.

Test Site

State Licensing testing for individuals who have received TCOLE endorsement, contact Dr. Chris Carmean at 713.718.8377 to make an appointment. Bring photo ID and $25.00 testing fee.

The HCC Police Academy Occupational licensure and/or certification program graduates are licensed by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). 

TCOLE welcomes law enforcement officers from other areas considering a career move to Texas.  Please carefully review the “Out of State/Federal Application” found under the Forms and Applications section of their website at www.tcole.texas.gov/content/out-state-peace-officers.

Please note, every attempt is made to ensure the above information is accurate and up to date; however, some information is subject to change.

If you have any questions or encounter problems contacting the appropriate licensing board, please contact the Program Director at (713) 718-8361.

2019 Updates

The HCC Police Academy Occupational licensure and/or certification pass rate with TCOLE is currently 100%.

There are 14,243 Police Patrol Officers employed in the Greater Houston Area. This number is expected to increase by 7.6% over the next four years.

The estimated annual job openings is 785 jobs a year.
Median Wages - $26.81 hourly, $56,000 annual

Please download and fill out the form below:

Police Academy Personal History Statement

Some online programs may require up to 15% of their curriculum be taken in-person on one of HCC’s campuses.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Language Option Restrictions

Some online programs require students to participate in foreign language courses as part of the program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements and available language options. If you would like to take courses in a language that is not offered online, you would have to do so on campus.

Elective Course Restrictions

Some online programs may have a limited number of elective options available, based on which of the designated electives are currently offered online.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Required Course Restrictions

Some online programs may require students to participate in one or more campus-based courses as part of a given program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.  

Potential Course Restrictions

Some online courses may have face-to-face requirements for exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities. Please review your course syllabus to determine if your online course has an on-campus laboratory or examination requirement.

Hybrid programs allow students to take a mix of online and face-to-face courses. Hybrid programs offer 50% to 85% of their courses online and the remainder of the curriculum is taken in-person on one of HCC’s campuses. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Language Option Restrictions

Some hybrid programs require students to participate in foreign language courses as part of the program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements and available language options. If you would like to take courses in a language that is not offered online, you would have to do so on campus.

Elective Course Restrictions

Some hybrid programs may have a limited number of elective options available, based on which of the designated electives are currently offered online.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Required Course Restrictions

Hybrid programs require students to participate in campus-based courses as part of a given program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements. 

Potential Course Restrictions

Some online courses may have face-to-face requirements for exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities. Please review your course syllabus to determine if your online course has an on-campus laboratory or examination requirement.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) establishes eligibility. HCC requires documentation a cadet that is competent at college-level reading and writing prior to admission. An academic advisor will examine your transcript to determine if you meet the academic prerequisite. The general requirements are listed below:

1. High School Diploma or GED
2. College Ready Reading & Writing
3. 21 Years of Age Before Graduation from the Academy
4. Generally No Prior Convictions, Community Supervision, or Deferred Adjudication
5. Examination by a Physician Including a Drug Screen
6. Examination by a Psychologist
7. Honorable Discharge if Prior Military Service
8. Valid Texas Drivers License
9. United States Citizen
10. Social Security Card

The academy costs approximately $2,000. Follow the links below to connect with HCC’s Financial Aid Office, HCC’s Veteran Affairs Office, and the HCC Foundation. HCC also offers payment plans and accepts major credit cards. Besides HCC, Workforce Solutions is another alternative for financial aid.

20 credit hours.

Active police officers are eligible for tuition waiver.

For more information, contact Dr. Chris Carmean at 713.718.8377.