Protect Your Community, Lead with Confidence

Law enforcement needs strong leaders. Are you ready to answer the call? Earn your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice while continuing to prevent crime, protect others and promote peace. Designed for working professionals, our competency-based program lets you study at your own pace. Our fully online curriculum is divided into seven-week terms so you can focus on what matters. The courses are self-paced, enabling you to set your own schedule and study when you are able. Whether you’re a police officer or a member of the military, we're putting you first. Discover how you can lead others toward success through our criminal justice program.

See Yourself Succeed With a Degree in Criminal Justice

Learn the Foundation

Develop strategies to promote police trust within your community. You’ll study the historical, philosophical and ethical development of policing and how that affects law enforcement today.

Flexible, personalized pace

Take credit for what you already know. Our competency-based program lets you receive credit for skills developed through work and military experience. You deserve credit. We’re ready to give it to you.

Faculty member instructing class with two class mates wearing sheriff uniform jackets.

Policing the Future

Study cutting-edge developments in law enforcement, like cryptocurrency and the problems it poses for policing. You’ll learn innovative strategies for monitoring an increasingly digitized world.

Excel in your career

Managing a policing organization takes work. We want to make this easier for you. Learn how to improve your team’s effectiveness, resolve conflict and promote wellness within the workplace.

Three professionals walking, smiling, and talking to each other.

Faculty Spotlight

student support

You’re closer to a degree than you think.

Earn credit for what you already know through our competency-based program. Designed specifically for first responders with professional experience, this program allows you to receive course credit based on your work experience and military training. Our fully online curriculum is divided into seven-week terms so you can focus on what matters.

TCOLE or Law Enforcement Training

Earn up to 30 hours of course credit based on your TCOLE or other law enforcement training.

Military Training

Find out how you can receive a Joint Service Transcript for your military experience.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

A degree in Criminal Justice–Law Enforcement Leadership emphasis offers you the opportunity to:

  • Advance to management positions within law enforcement
  • Study the federal, state and local judicial system to promote law within your community
  • Identify the needs within the workplace to ensure the overall wellness of your team
  • Learn how to design, establish and fund a crime analysis unit

Careers

Advance your career with a degree in criminal justice. Our program prepares you for a wide range of professions at the city, county, state or federal government levels.

Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries

Police Officers
$69,160
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$86,280
First-line Supervisors of Law Enforcement
$96,290
First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$96,290

US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022

Alumni Profiles

What You Will Learn

You’ll take a closer look at the legal aspects of law enforcement, criminal analysis and police practices. Investigate the ethical dilemmas surrounding first responders today and how that affects law enforcement decisions. You’ll also learn practical organizational and leadership skills to promote a healthy and productive work environment.

Courses to Prepare You for Your Career

  • Core courses include Criminal Investigation, Police and Law Enforcement, and Correctional Systems.
  • Support courses include Evidence-Based Policing, Homeland Security and Critical Thinking.

Featured Courses

cropped view of policeman typing on laptop keyboard

Course Delivery and Resources

All competency-based courses are self-paced and offered online. Our program includes a “subscription system” with a minimum of two courses required per 7-week term (There are six terms throughout the year). You may add additional courses at any point and complete the courses by the end of the term.

Institute for Competency-Based Education

The College of Innovation and Design at A&M-Commerce is associated with the Institute for Competency-Based Education. Come learn how they can help you!

Terms

All competency-based programs in the College of Innovation and Design are offered in two seven-week terms per traditional semester with a break between each term.

2024

SemesterTerm 1BreakTerm 2
SpringJan. 16 – March 1March 4 – 15March 18 – May 3
SummerMay 13 – June 28July 1 – 5July 8 – Aug. 23
FallSept. 3 – Oct. 18Oct. 21 – 25Oct. 28 – Dec. 13

Program Costs

Earning a degree is more affordable than ever. Our competency-based programs offer quality education at an affordable price. These rates include all required course materials.

Residency StatusTuition Per Semester

In-State (Texas resident)

$1,000

Bordering County
This includes bordering counties in Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Arkansas

$1,000

Neighboring state
This incudes interior counties in Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Arkansas)

in-state + $30/hour

Out of state (e.g., Florida)

$2,000

Employee Scholarship

$300
  • Tuition exemption limited to state residents
  • $300 active duty Texas law enforcement scholarship (with TCOLE verification)
  • Students can only receive ONE exemption (example: you cannot stack senior citizen and active-duty law enforcement exemptions.)

Steps to Apply :: Competency-Based CBE

College is the next big step in your academic journey! Let’s connect! Complete a request for information to receive important updates!

Consider the field of study and degree program you want to pursue at A&M-Commerce. Take some time to review our competency-based degree programs and learn more about how competency-based education works!

Our onboarding specialists are eager to help you learn about A&M-Commerce and guide your academic journey! Once you have filled out a request for information, an onboarding specialist will contact you.

A&M-Commerce is committed to making the transfer process as smooth as possible.

To meet automatic admission requirements as a transfer student, you must have:

  • At least 12 transferable hours, excluding developmental coursework.
  • A 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) on all transferable coursework.

Applicants who do not meet the standards for full admission may be considered through the multi-tiered admission review process.

Automatic admission to A&M-Commerce is based on the Foundation High School Program with at least one endorsement. You are strongly recommended to complete one or more available endorsement(s) that include Algebra II or its equivalent and one science course from biology, chemistry or physics. Students applying for top 10% automatic admission must complete the foundation curriculum with a distinguished level of achievement.

Standards for full admission to A&M-Commerce are based on the required high school curriculum (Foundation Plan). Entering freshmen must have successfully completed the following courses in high school:

  • English Language Arts (4 credits)
  • Mathematics (3 credits)
  • Science (3 credits)
  • Social Studies (3 credits)
  • Language other than English (2 credits)

Any one of the following:

  • Rank in the top 30% of graduating class or
  • If submitting scores, use the A&M-Commerce codes 4088 (ACT) and 6188 (SAT) from encoura.org or collegeboard.org.

Study and take as many competency-based courses as you like for just $1000 per term. Because these programs are fully online, you can plan your study schedule around the rest of your day to complete the coursework.

You may also apply for any of our programs through ApplyTexas.

Send your school transcript via our secure document upload or request that your official high school transcript and transcripts for any college credit you have completed be sent to [email protected].

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: College of Innovation and Design
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents.

ACT or SAT scores are optional for admission. If submitting scores, use the A&M-Commerce codes 4088 (ACT) and 6188 (SAT) from encoura.org or collegeboard.org.

Your myLEO username is your CWID and your default password is your date of birth beginning with the three-letter abbreviated month (MonDDYYYY). You may refer to our guide for first-time login instructions.

  • Username: CWID
  • Password: Date of Birth (MonDDYYYY)
  • January: Jan
  • February: Feb
  • March: Mar
  • April: Apr
  • May: May
  • June: Jun
  • July: Jul
  • August: Aug
  • September: Sep
  • October: Oct
  • November: Nov
  • December: Dec
  • Within myLeo, check out the APPS tab for LeoMail, LeoPay and D2L Brightspace, where you will access your online classes, and more.
  • Check out the Student Resources tab for student information, including Undergrad DegreeWorks, your interactive degree audit, class schedules, financial aid status and awards, and more.

When you sign in to myLEO, the Financial Agreement will pop up. You’ll need to read over the agreement, select the checkbox and select “Continue.”

If you missed it or accidentally closed the window, you can get the agreement to pop up again by following these steps.

  • Sign in to myLEO.
  • Go to the Student Resources Tab.
  • Scroll to Student Information,
  • Click on Registration Menu. If you have not already completed the Financial Responsibility, it will appear here.

If you are not a self-pay student, you may qualify for financial aid to help pay for your classes.

Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.

You do not have to complete the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) if you have met one of the following:

  1. Met minimum college readiness standard on the SAT or ACT
  2. Obtained the minimum required score(s) on the statewide high school STAAR EOCs Algebra II and English III exams (these are optional for high schools)
  3. Met a veteran or active military waiver (must meet specific requirements for each category)
  4. Received exemption based on earning a prior degree
  5. Received a transfer exemption (declaration by another institution)
  6. Completed prior college-level coursework

Students are responsible for providing proof of exemption and will be considered assessment required until documentation is provided of state exemption. For more information, please contact the Testing Center at [email protected].

To access your Undergrad DegreeWorks online degree plan:

  • Log into myLEO.
  • Select the Student Resources tab from the home screen.
  • Scroll to Student Information
  • Select Undergrad DegreeWorks.
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Program Requirements

To be accepted into this program, you must fulfill these requirements

Complete your prior lower level Criminal Justice core coursework (30 hours)

L

To earn this degree, you must fulfill these requirements

  • Complete the Criminal Justice Applied Major courses at A&M-Commerce (27 hours)
    • You can only complete these courses at A&M-Commerce.
    • Transfer credits will not be accepted.
    • PLA Portfolio review is not available for these courses.
  • Complete Support Courses (21 hours)
    • You must complete 9 hours at the 300 or 400 level from A&M-Commerce.

What is Competency-Based Education?

What is Competency-Based Education

Competency-Based Education (CBE) posits that learning is best measured by students demonstrating what they know and can do rather than by the number of hours spent in a classroom. CBE is student-driven and self-paced, guided by individualized feedback from an instructor and advisor. CBE is also flexible, and offered fully online, so it works around the busy personal and professional lives of adult learners and working professionals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours should I take?

Students initially register for six hours (two courses per-term). You have the opportunity to accelerate into another course with the expectation that you will complete the coursework by the end of the term. You may continue to add courses, one at a time, through the 5th Friday of the term.

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What is competency-based education?

Competency-Based Education (CBE) is based on the idea that learning is best measured by students demonstrating what they know and what they can do rather than by the number of hours spent in a classroom.  CBE is student-driven and self-paced, guided by individualized feedback from an instructor and advisor.  CBE is also flexible, offered 100% online, so it works around the busy personal and professional lives of adult learners and working professionals.

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How long are the terms for competency-based programs?

Each term is seven (7) weeks.

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How much is the tuition for the Criminal Justice (BS) Law Enforcement Leadership Emphasis, Competency-Based Program

Texas-Residents pay a flat rate tuition fee of $1,000 per seven-week term and $2,000 for non-Texas residents, regardless of how many courses the student enrolls in during the term. Tuition for general education/core curriculum courses and all professional development competencies will also include e-textbooks.

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Can I use my employer’s tuition reimbursement program?

The answer is determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact [email protected] to see if you can use your employer’s tuition reimbursement program.

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Can my employees receive credit for prior work experience and/or professional training?

There are several opportunities for students to demonstrate prior learning and earn college credit. Students can receive credit for military service (ACE), professional training, licenses, certifications, and by exam through the College Level Exam Program ® (CLEP).

Please contact [email protected] on questions related to TCOLE, CLEET, POST, and USCBP credits.

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What is the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate in Criminal Justice?

The Texas Affordable Baccalaureate in Criminal Justice–or Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice–is a competency-based online program that is offered year-round in six seven-week terms. It is tailored to certified first responders, military personnel and adult learners with criminal justice or related public service employment experience. The program is designed to provide working adults a more flexible and affordable option for degree completion.

The mission of the undergraduate degree in criminal justice at A&M-Commerce is to teach three components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts and corrections. The program teaches students to think critically about issues related to the criminal justice system while advancing their written and verbal communication skills. The program also promotes the application of theoretical knowledge for addressing social justice issues in the context of the criminal justice system.

This degree program is personalized by faculty and academic coaches who advise and mentor students every step of the way. When students graduate from the program, they are better prepared for employment in a variety of public service agencies.

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Contact Us

  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011

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