Law Enforcement
South Texas College offers two degrees in Public Safety: Associates in Applied Science- Law Enforcement (AAS-LE) and a Certificate in Law Enforcement (Texas Peace Officer). Each degree helps students jump start their careers with federal, state, and local governmental entities.
Basic Peace Officer Certificate:
This program is designed to prepare students for a profession in law enforcement. Police academy students will learn the role and responsibilities of a law enforcement officer and become knowledgeable in Texas Criminal and Traffic law. The police academy will prepare students for peace officer certifications according to the standards from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.
Law Enforcement AAS:
For those persons who hold a Texas Peace Officer Certification, upon successful completion of two core curriculum courses, they will be granted 23 hours of college credit upon review of their TCOLE training transcript, which they may apply toward the Associates of Applied Science- Law Enforcement degree. This degree offers the educational opportunity for working professionals already in the field to expand upon their knowledge base and professional development in a well established educational setting.
Apply Now 
Get Enrollment Info 
Potential Jobs
- Patrol Officer
- Marshall
- Officer
- Investigator
- Agent
- Special Agent
- Trooper
- Game Warden
- Constable
- Deputy Constable
- Sheriff
- Deputy Sheriff
Academy Application Form
All academy candidates must submit all required documentation (Personal History Statement, L2, L3, personal documents, etc.) by the given dates.
Part-Time Academy Start Date: April 2019
Agility Exam Dates for April 2019 Part-Time Academy:
February 5, 9, 19 (Last Agility Dates for April Academy)
Full-time Academy Start Date: July 2019
Agility Exam Dates for July 2019 Full-Time Academy:
February 5, 9, 19
March 2, 5, 19, 26
April 2, 6, 16, 23, 30
May 4, 7 (Last Agility Dates for July Academy)
Agility Exam Dates for STARR County July 2019 Full-Time Academy:
February 9
March 2
April 6
Admission Requirements
For certificate program (Police Academy):
- Must be 21 years old upon completion of program
- U.S. Citizen, honorable discharge from the military (if applicable)
- Never been convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor or above
- Never been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
- GED or higher, urine analysis
- Polygraph exam
- Physical fitness exam
- Comprehensive medical and psychological screenings
An application for the police academy also needs to be filled out in addition to the application to South Texas College in order to be considered for the program.
Screening Exams
The combined cost of all the screening exams (polygraph, L2, L3 & fingerprints) is $640. The entire screening process takes between 4 to 6 weeks. The deadline to submit all of the screening documents is November 30, 2018.
Additional Program Notes
The police academy will be open enrollment for those who wish to attend the police academy and apply financial aid, G.I. Bill, or other scholarships toward their tuition. For those persons who are currently employed by a state, county, or city law enforcement agency as a full-time peace officer, tuition waivers apply under Texas Education Code 54.208.
As with the Police Academy Program, Texas Peace Officers who are full-time employees are eligible for tuition waivers under Texas Education Code 54.208.
Degree Plans Faculty Staff Resources Scholarships
For faculty not listed, please contact the department.
Contact Police Academy Program
Department Chair
Robert Vela
Regional Center for Public Safety and Excellence 1.002F
956-872-4203
Department Contact
Megan Olivares
Regional Center for Public Safety and Excellence
3901 S. Cage Blvd.
Pharr, TX 78577
956-872-4200
Find your perfect career with a quick online assessment, browse local job demand, and view available degrees!
