DECJA: Dual Enrollment Criminal Justice Academy

This academy encourages area high school students into the criminal justice professions by providing college coursework and opportunities. The program motivates, educates and prepares students for higher education in the field of criminal justice. With the support of the local law enforcement professionals, the Dual Enrollment Criminal Justice Academy (DECJA) promotes and participates in efforts that will reinforce the schools' and communities' commitment to prepare students for careers in criminal justice.

What is the Dual Enrollment Criminal Justice Academy?

DECJA is a two-year, year-round dual enrollment program developed for high school juniors and seniors of the Pecan and Mid-Valley Campus areas who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice.

Who can participate in DECJA?

  • High school students in 11-12 (students may apply during their 10 th grade year and complete all application requirements by designated deadline).
    • Students should be enrolled in the DAP curriculum.
    • Students must have serious interest in pursuing a career in criminal justice.
    • Students must complete a DECJA application which includes writing a brief essay.

DECJA participants will be offered:

Opportunities to participate in community service activities in their community, in addition to the following:

  • A year-round Seminars Series program to expose and increase the students' knowledge of professional skills.
  • Ongoing guidance, tutoring and counseling relating to academic and career choices.
  • Volunteer opportunities.
  • Test taking skills development workshops.
  • Presentations by law enforcement and criminal justice professionals which provide students with information on educational and personal preparation required for pursuit of criminal justice careers.
  • Field trips to educational institutions in and out of the Rio Grande Valley.
  • Continued student support throughout the program's college coursework.

Degree Plans

  • 2023-2025

    Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice - DECJA 2023-2025

    (Fall 1st Year) Semester I
    CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice System 3
    HIST 1301 United States History I 3
    ENGL 1301 Composition 3
    CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
    Credit Hours 12
    (Spring 1st Year) Semester II
    SOCI 1301 Introductory Sociology 3
    ENGL 1302 Composition II - Rhetoric 3
    HIST 1302 United States History II 3
    CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices 3
    Credit Hours 12
    Summer Session I & II Credit Hours
    SPCH 1311 Intro to Speech Communication (SSI) 3
    PHIL 2306 Intro to Ethics (SSI) 3
       
    MUSI 1306 Music Appreciation (SSII) 3
    Credit Hours 9
    (Fall 2nd Year) Semester III
    MATH 1414 College Algebra 4
    GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3
    BIOL 1406 General Biology I 4
    CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3
    Credit Hours 14
    (Spring 2nd Year) Semester IV
    GOVT 2306 Texas Government 3
    BIOL 1407 General Biology II 4
    CRIJ 2313 Correctional Systems and Practices 3
    CRIJ 2328 Police Systems & Practices 3
    Credit Hours 13
    Total STC Credits 60

    Updated 05/2023

  • 2024-2026

    Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice - DECJA 2024-2026

    (Fall 1st Year) Semester I
    CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice System 3
    HIST 1301 United States History I 3
    ENGL 1301 Composition 3
    CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
    Credit Hours 12
    (Spring 1st Year) Semester II
    CRIJ 1307 Crime in America 3
    ENGL 1302 Composition II - Rhetoric 3
    HIST 1302 United States History II 3
    CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices 3
    Credit Hours 12
    Summer Session I & II Credit Hours
    SPCH 1311 Intro to Speech Communication (SSI) 3
    PHIL 2306 Intro to Ethics (SSI) 3
       
    MUSI 1306 Music Appreciation (SSII) 3
    Credit Hours 9
    (Fall 2nd Year) Semester III
    MATH 1414 College Algebra 4
    GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3
    BIOL 1406 General Biology I 4
    CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law 3
    Credit Hours 14
    (Spring 2nd Year) Semester IV
    GOVT 2306 Texas Government 3
    BIOL 1407 General Biology II 4
    CRIJ 2313 Correctional Systems and Practices 3
    CRIJ 2328 Police Systems & Practices 3
    Credit Hours 13
    Total STC Credits 60

    Updated 09/2023

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