Criminal Justice Administration, B.A.A.S.
Credit for Prior Training
Your eligible law enforcement, corrections, military, academy and criminal justice workforce training may qualify for college credit toward Tarleton State University’s Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice Administration.
42
Credits for Approved Training
Up to 42 semester credit hours beginning Fall 2026
Overview Credit Conversion Eligible Training Documentation Application Process Transfer Credit FAQs Contact
Build on the Training You Have Already Completed
The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice Administration is designed for professionals who are currently working, or have previously worked, in criminal justice-related agencies.
Eligible applicants may include peace officers, corrections officers, criminal justice support staff and military personnel whose specialties involve law enforcement, intelligence, security or closely related operations.
Approved professional training may be applied toward the occupational specialization portion of the degree. This allows qualified students to convert documented learning completed outside a traditional college classroom into academic credit.
The amount of credit awarded depends on the number of documented training hours, applicable workforce education credit and the final decision of the university’s interdisciplinary review committee.
✓
Training, Academy and Military Credit Considered
How Training Converts to College Credit
The standard conversion formula is:
15
Clock Training Hours
=
1
Semester Credit Hour
180 Hours
May qualify for 12 credits
496 Hours
May qualify for 33 credits
Up to 42 Credits
Beginning Fall 2026
Important: Work experience and years of service do not independently calculate into academic credit. Credit is based on documented and approved training, workforce education and applicable professional credentials.
Types of Training That May Qualify
Law Enforcement
- TCOLE personal status reports
- Police academy training
- Agency professional development
- Law enforcement certifications
Corrections
- Corrections academies
- TDCJ training records
- Institutional training
- Correctional certifications
Military
- Military police training
- Intelligence specialties
- Security-related training
- Military ACE transcripts
Workforce Education
- Approved WECM courses
- Licensing-authority training
- Professional certifications
- Other verified CJ training
Acceptable Training Documentation
Training documentation must be official, verifiable and clearly identify the training completed and the number of training hours.
- Certificates issued by recognized training academies
- TCOLE training transcripts or personal status reports
- Training transcripts from other licensing authorities
- Military transcripts or training certificates listing clock hours
- Military American Council on Education transcripts
- Corrections academy or TDCJ training records
- Professional licenses that identify required training hours
- Records from national or state professional certification agencies
- Verified documentation from a current or former employer showing completed training and associated hours
Documentation Should Show
- Student or trainee name
- Training title
- Training organization
- Date completed
- Number of training hours
- Official verification
How to Request Credit for Prior Training
1
Apply for Admission
Apply to Tarleton State University and select Criminal Justice Administration as your intended undergraduate program.
2
Gather Training Documentation
Collect official transcripts, training histories, academy certificates, military records and other documentation showing completed training hours.
3
Complete the Training Assessment Form
Upload the supporting documentation directly through the Occupational Specialization Training Assessment Form.
4
Committee Review
Once all documentation is received, the training information is presented to an interdisciplinary committee for review and approval.
5
Approved Credit Is Added to the Degree Plan
After committee approval, the paperwork is sent to the Registrar’s Office for entry. Priority may be given to graduating seniors, and committee reviews may not occur during the summer.
One-Time Assessment Fee
A one-time $35 assessment fee is automatically added to the student’s tuition bill after the training hours are approved.
Transfer Credit and General Education Options
Previous College Coursework
Submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. Tarleton will evaluate transferred courses under university policy and determine how they apply to the BAAS degree plan.
Community College Courses
Students may enroll at Tarleton and a local Texas community college during the same semester to complete compatible general education requirements.
Consult the BAAS Coordinator before registering to verify that each community college course will apply to the degree.
Other Prior Learning
Courses or learning experiences evaluated by the American Council on Education may also be considered under Tarleton’s credit for prior learning policies.
A Degree Designed for Working Professionals
Flexible Format
Complete the program through available online, hybrid or campus-based course options.
Individual Degree Plan
Your degree plan reflects transferred coursework, approved workforce training and remaining university requirements.
Career Advancement
Strengthen your preparation for supervision, command, administration and organizational leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Criminal Justice Administration BAAS?
Applicants must currently work, or have previously worked, for a criminal justice-related agency. This may include peace officers, corrections officers, support staff and military personnel in criminal justice or closely related specialties.
What is the minimum amount of training required?
A minimum of 180 documented criminal justice-related training hours may qualify a student for 12 semester credit hours.
Can I receive more than 12 but fewer than 42 credits?
Yes. The amount of approved credit depends on the number of documented training hours, applicable workforce credit and the interdisciplinary committee’s review.
Do years of work experience automatically count as credit?
No. Work experience or years of service do not independently calculate into academic credit. The award is based on documented and approved training or workforce education.
When will the credits appear on my degree plan?
After the interdisciplinary committee approves the training, the committee chair forwards the documentation to the Registrar’s Office for entry. Processing time varies, and priority may be given to graduating seniors.
Can military training qualify?
Yes. Military police, intelligence, security and other closely related specialties may be considered. Submit military transcripts, ACE records or certificates that identify the training hours.
Is there a fee for the training assessment?
Yes. A one-time $35 assessment fee is added to the tuition bill after the training hours are approved.
Can I take general education courses at a community college?
Students may be enrolled at Tarleton and a local Texas community college during the same semester. Consult the BAAS Coordinator before registration to confirm that the courses are compatible with the degree plan.
Questions About Credit for Prior Training?
Contact the BAAS Coordinator for assistance with program eligibility, acceptable training documentation, transfer courses or degree planning.
Dr. William Casey Heath
BAAS Coordinator
cjbaas@tarleton.edu
254-968-9279
Put Your Professional Training Toward Your Degree
Submit your documented training for review and begin building your path toward the BAAS in Criminal Justice Administration.