• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (Full Time)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (Part Time)
• Certificate - Law Enforcement - Level One

See the full college catalog for additional information and course descriptions.

The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy offers a full-time and part-time academy for individuals who are seeking their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) basic peace officers license.

The basic academy program involves 736 hours of classroom and hands-on training.  This course is available to police departments sending recruits, or individual applicants. Completion of this training allows individuals to take the TCOLE licensing examination to become a licensed Texas Peace Officer.

All prospective students can pick up a Law Enforcement Academy application or have one emailed to them. Students can email the Law Enforcement Academy Program Director to receive an enrollment packet.

Successful applicants will be notified by email of acceptance to the program.

For acceptance to the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy individuals (hired cadets or individual applicants) must meet the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.

All applicants must meet Galveston College’s current enrollment requirements. 

Basic qualifications for admittance, each prospective student must meet the following criteria:

1. High school graduate, GED, or 12 hours from an accredited college
2. 21 years of age at the time of licensure
3. No felony convictions
4. No convictions of a Class B misdemeanor or above within the last ten (10) years
5. No family violence convictions
6. Pass a drug test, psychological screening, physical, and background check

The basic academy program is available to individuals who meet admission standards and are accepted for attendance.  Attendees must be prepared for a demanding program. The process is mentally and physically challenging. There are significant time demands both in and out of the classroom. But the rewards are high for those who are capable of the challenge. Policing is an honorable profession. Service to others is a high calling, one that few are willing to accept in their lives.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive 22 college credits and be qualified to sit for the state licensing exam. After passing the exam you will be certified by the State of Texas to obtain employment.

Still interested?

Training Coordinators should contact the Academy Director directly. If you are applying as an independent applicant, your first step is to go to the Program Application tab and send the director an email.

• General – All Applicants
  • For acceptance to the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy individuals (hired cadets or individual applicants) must meet the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
  • All applicants must meet Galveston College's current enrollment requirements.
• Individual Applicants
  • Automatic disqualifiers for individual applicants include anything that would exclude the applicant from meeting the most current standards as established under the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37,Part 7, Chapter 213, Rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Enrollment and Licensure.
  • Other factors that will be considered prior to acceptance into the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy include, but are not limited to:
    • Any pending litigation-criminal or civil (including divorce)
    • Evidence of good character and having a stable school, work and driving record
    • Reputation of the individual with schoolmates, work associates, coaches, teachers, etc.
  • The law enforcement academy coordinator shall make the final determination in allowing a cadet to enter the academy program. 
• Enrollment
  • Upon approval to attend a police academy class, applicants must complete all required Galveston College enrollment processes.
  • Applicants are responsible for obtaining and displaying motor vehicle parking permits on campus and for complying with regulations for parking, paying traffic fines, and obeying speed limits.
  • Applicants are responsible for prompt payment of all financial obligations to the College.
• Disabilities
  • Any cadet who has a disability or who claims a disability according to the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify Galveston College (Student Services) of the disability in sufficient time to allow the Academy to make necessary accommodations consistent with the ADA prior to the commencement of classes.
  • Failure to notify the Academy in a timely manner will result in a delay of acceptance into an Academy basic program until the following basic program.
  • It is the cadet’s responsibility to inform the Academy of a disability requiring accommodations.

Employment opportunities for both men and women have never been better. The need is critical.

Texas Employment Trends - Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Employment(2020)                                                                 58,020 employees

Projected employment(2030)                                     65,470 employees

Projected growth(by 2020-2032)                                                       13%

Projected annual job openings(2020-2030)                          5,420

Coming Soon!

 

Applications for Fall 2025 classes will be sent out in May 2025 for the Full-Time and Part-Time Academy classes!

 

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Summer 2025 (All CE Classes are for certified Texas Peace Officers)

Coming Soon!

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Financial aid is available to help eligible part-time and full-time students pay for college. It can be a combination of grants, loans and work-study.

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To learn more about the types of scholarships and their deadlines, please click on the “Learn More” link below.

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