The basic course for peace officers is designed for persons desiring to obtain the peace officer’s license and begin a career in law enforcement. The training curriculum as mandated by law, is standardized by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Upon successful completion of this curriculum, students will be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency and may be eligible to take the state licensure examination to be a Texas Peace Officer.

The entire sequence of courses must be successfully completed within 12 months in order to qualify a student to take the state license examination to be a peace officer. When an academy graduate completes college residency requirements within one year preceding or following graduation, credit from the academy meets requirements from the following courses in the Associate of Applied Science Law Enforcement degree plan: CJLE 1135, CJLE 1136, CJLE 1137, CJLE 1138, CJLE 1506, CJLE 1512, CJLE 1518 and CJLE 1524.

To qualify for the Certificate of Proficiency, the student must complete a Capstone Experience during the final semester of the program.

This is a TSI-waived certificate. Students declaring this major are not subject to the TSI regulations unless they enroll in a course outside the prescribed curriculum.

Program advisors are Dr. Lance Scott, assistant associate professor of law enforcement technology and director of training for the SPC Police Academy, (806) 716-2342 2558; and Kenny Burns, assistant professor of law enforcement technology and law enforcement academy coordinator, (806) 716-2357.