Law Enforcement

Creekview High School
Public Service Endorsement

This strand is offered as part of the Law & Criminal Justice Academy

This four year plan can be used as an example to help plan your high school career.

subject 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th grade
Language Arts English English English English
Math Math Math Math Math
Science Science Science Science Science
Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies
CTE Courses Principles of Government
AND
Public Administration
(1 credit)
Forensic Psychology
(1 credit)

Forensic Science
AND/OR DUAL CREDIT OPTIONS BELOW
Introduction to Criminology (DC)
OR
Court Systems and Practices (DC)
OR
Ethics in Criminal Justice (DC)
(1 credit)

Counseling and Mental Health
OR
Career Preparation
AND/OR DUAL CREDIT OPTIONS BELOW
Cyber Crimes
OR
Special Topics in Criminal Justice
OR
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
(1 credit)
Additional Elective        
Additional Elective        
Additional Elective        

Additional Graduation Requirements:

  • Foreign Language (2 credits)
  • Physical Education (1 credit)
  • Fine Arts (1 credit)
  • Health (1/2 credit)

Possible Industry Based Certifications:

  • Non-Commissioned Security Officer Levels II
  • Emergency Telecommunicator
occupations median wage annual openings % growth
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,112 5,241 13%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Officers $44,054 793 9%
Correctional Officers and Jailers $40,186 4,683 9%
Immigration and Customs Inspections $78,104 1,236 9%
First-Line Supervisor or Police Detectives $91,312 253 25%

The Law Enforcement program of study teaches CTE learners about the development of, adherence to, and protection of various branches of law. Students will learn how to appropriately and legally respond to breaches in the law according to statutory rules and regulations as well as investigate how and why the breaches occurred.

Recommended Course Sequence

Principles of Public Safety, Corrections and Security

This course introduces students to professions in law enforcement, protective services, corrections, firefighting, and emergency management services. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, corrections, private security, and protective agencies of fire and emergency services.

Law Enforcement I

Law Enforcement I is an overview of the history, organization, and functions of local, state, and federal law enforcement. Students will understand the role of constitutional law at local, state, and federal levels; the U.S. legal system; criminal law; and law enforcement terminology and the classification and elements of crime

Law Enforcement II

Law Enforcement II provides the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for a career in law enforcement. Students will understand ethical and legal responsibilities, patrol procedures, first responder roles, telecommunications, emergency equipment operations, and courtroom testimony.

AND/OR

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is found at the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system. It involves understanding criminal law in the relevant jurisdictions in order to be able to interact within the criminal justice system. It utilizes and applies basic skills developed in psychology and criminal scenarios resulting in a structured and scientific approach to investigative analysis; thereby, enabling police and law enforcement officials to predict criminal activity via scientific analysis rather than intuition. Students will learn basic structured psychological investigative techniques in question building, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth detection methodology, research methods, statistical analysis and probability forecasting.

AND/OR

Introduction Criminal Justice (Dual Credit)

This course provides a historical and philosophical overview of the American criminal justice system, including the nature, extent, and impact of crime; criminal law; and justice agencies and processes. 

OR

Court System and Practices (Dual Credit)

This course is a study of the court system as it applies to the structures, procedures, practices and sources of law in American courts, using federal and Texas statutes and case law.

OR

Ethics in Criminal Justice (Dual Credit)

Ethical philosophies and issues pertaining to the various professions in the criminal justice system. Includes ethical issues emanating from constitutional conflict with public protection and individual rights, civil liberties, and correctional policies. 

Counseling and Mental Health

In this course, students model the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a counseling and mental health career through simulated environments. Students are expected to apply knowledge of ethical and legal responsibilities, limitations on their actions and responsibilities, and the implications of their actions. Students understand how professional integrity in counseling and mental health care is dependent on acceptance of ethical and legal responsibilities.

AND/OR

Forensic Science

This course, introduces students to the application of science to connect a violation of law to a specific criminal, criminal act, or behavior and victim. Students will learn terminology and procedures related to the search and examination of physical evidence in criminal cases as they are performed in a typical crime laboratory. Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence such as fingerprints, bodily fluids, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, and cartridge cases. Students will also learn the history and the legal aspects as they relate to each discipline of forensic science. 

OR

Career Preparation

This course provides opportunities for students to participate in a work-based learning experience that combines classroom instruction with business and industry employment experiences.

Cybercrimes (Dual Credit)

An introduction to cybercrime. Topics include specific laws, investigative techniques, and criminological theories applicable to computer crime.

OR

Special Topics in Criminal Justice (Dual Credit)

Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.

OR

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (Dual Credit)

A series of lectures and class participation exercises presenting selected topics currently confronting criminal justice personnel and the public they serve.