Criminal Justice

Empowering students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, our Criminal Justice program prepares future professionals to navigate the complexities of the legal system and enact positive change in society.

At Odessa College, our Criminal Justice program is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, ethical leadership, and professional competency in criminal justice. Grounded in a commitment to justice, integrity, and community engagement, our program prepares students to critically analyze and address complex issues within the criminal justice system. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary approaches, we empower students to become compassionate and influential practitioners, advocates, and scholars. Our mission is to cultivate a diverse community of lifelong learners who are equipped to contribute positively to society, promote social justice, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the pursuit of a safer and more just world.

Associate of Applied Sciences in Criminal Justice

The Odessa College Criminal Justice Department now offers a comprehensive online learning program for an AAS Degree in Criminal Justice. The degree should be of particular interest to law enforcement administrators, police chiefs, sheriffs, and other law enforcement leaders seeking to enhance, expand, and update the knowledge base and skill sets of either themselves or their department personnel.

Crime Scene Investigator Certificate

The Odessa College Criminal Justice Department announces the new Criminalistics certification program in the field of Crime Scene Investigation. The Criminalistics certification is specifically designed for those law enforcement officers and investigators seeking to improve or add to their skill set with proper methods of identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence. The program focuses on methodology and criteria for scientific evaluation, the various types of evidence encountered by law enforcement officers and investigators in the field, and proper procedures to be followed during death investigations. The Criminalistics certificate will prepare the student to either pursue a career as a Crime Scene Technician, or provide a solid foundation for the student to pursue a degree in forensic science.

BAAS Degree Plan

To better support our community and students, Odessa College is proposing the addition of two Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degrees. One of these degrees will be a BAAS in Leadership and Management. This proposal is in line with the mission of Odessa College. Odessa College’s responsibility is to prepare our community for the future and support them to be lifelong learners. Additionally, the addition of a BAAS degree in Leadership and Management will allow us to build toward the state’s goals as stated in the mission of 60X30 Texas.

A BAAS in Leadership and Management will be a BAAS degree that will allow students from various AAS programs to continue to expand their education and build their workforce readiness skills. The BAAS in Leadership and Management will also offer four areas of concentration: Entrepreneurship, Criminal Justice, Safety Management, and Logistics. This BAAS degree will provide an opportunity for all our students to continue their education to reach their life goals.

CONTACT

Naomi L. De Anda
Dept Chair OC Criminal Justice
432-335-6540
ndeanda@odessa.edu

William Bess
Associate Professor I, OC Criminal Justice
432-335-6854
wbess@odessa.edu

Sebahattin Gultekin
Professor, OC Criminal Justice
432-335-6825
sgultekin@odessa.edu

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