Criminal Justice Program at SAU Tech
Prepare for Careers in Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) offers a structured Criminal Justice program designed to support both current and aspiring law enforcement professionals. The program facilitates career advancement and provides a pathway for potential completion of a bachelor's degree.
Graduates of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) Basic Police Training will earn 11 college credit hours and be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency (CP) in Criminal Justice from SAU Tech. The 11 hours will be accepted toward the requirements for a Technical Certificate (TC) in Criminal Justice. To obtain the TC, students must complete MATH1023-College Algebra or MATH1063-Math Reasoning, and ENGL1113-Composition I. The remaining six hours needed to complete the TC will be awarded to ALETA graduates through SAU Tech's credit for prior learning (CPL) program.
To obtain the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, ALETA graduates must complete the remaining 26 General Education hours identified in the AS degree. The 26 hours can also be accrued from an accredited institution of higher education. The remaining hours required to complete the AS degree will be awarded to ALETA graduates via CPL. The Law Enforcement Scholarship is available and covers tuition for general education courses. All General Education courses are available online.
Law enforcement personnel who completed ALETA training between 1990 and 1996 may enroll in a 1-credit-hour course called Portfolio Development to receive credit for prior learning for the 28 credit hours and qualify for the scholarship. Students who attended ALETA since 1997 but did not receive the TC may present a copy of their ALETA certificate to receive the 28 hours credit through prior learning and qualify for the scholarship.
Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) graduates who receive the TC in Criminal Justice can continue their college education by completing the required hours through SAU Tech's Associate of Science degree.
What You’ll Learn In Criminal Justice
SAU Tech’s Criminal Justice courses provide a comprehensive introduction to:
- The U.S. criminal justice system
- Criminal law and court systems
- Police procedures and ethics
- Juvenile justice and corrections
- Public policy and criminal investigation
- Criminal behavior and societal impact
You’ll also complete core general education courses in English, history, math, and communication to support your long-term academic and career growth.
Career Opportunities in Criminal Justice
Graduates of SAU Tech’s Criminal Justice program are prepared for entry-level positions or continued study leading to roles such as:
- Police Officer or Sheriff’s Deputy (with academy training)
- Corrections Officer or Probation Assistant
- Security Specialist or Loss Prevention Officer
- Court Clerk or Legal Assistant
- Emergency Dispatcher
- Federal or State Law Enforcement (with further training/education)
- Social Services and Juvenile Justice roles
With additional study at SAU or another university, students may pursue careers in investigations, federal agencies, criminal law, parole, and homeland security.
Why Choose SAU Tech for Criminal Justice?
- Transfer guaranteed to SAU’s BS in Criminal Justice program
- Affordable, flexible online courses for busy students or working professionals
- Faculty with real-world experience in law enforcement and legal systems
- Access to stackable credentials for job-readiness and specialization
- One of the most cost-effective ways to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in Arkansas
Students won’t need to figure out transfer pathways alone—SAU Tech’s and SAU’s coordinated advising ensures credit transfers and degree progress are as smooth and affordable as possible.
Criminal Justice Program Overview
- Degrees & Certificates Offered:
- AA in General Education – Criminal Justice Emphasis (Fully online)→
- Criminal Justice Associate of Science (AS) Degree→
- Technical Certificate in Law Enforcement→
- Certificate of Proficiency in Criminal Justice→
- Transfer Pathway: Guaranteed transfer into the BS in Criminal Justice at Southern Arkansas University (SAU)
- Flexible Format: SAU Tech’s coursework is fully online, while SAU’s upper-level courses are in-person
- This program is ideal for students pursuing law enforcement, corrections, or legal system careers, or for working professionals seeking to build their qualifications.
Start Your
Criminal Justice Journey Today
Need help building your degree plan or understanding your transfer options? Contact us today!
Get In Touch
- Faculty: Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy
- Advisor: MaShira Singleton, msingleton@sautech.edu, 870-574-4492
- Jodi Eppinette, Associate Vice Chancellor for Instruction, jeppinet@sautech.edu, 870-574-4584
