Law and Public Service Career Cluster

Revised June 2024

The Law and Public Service career cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from police officer and firefighter to political scientist and lawyer.

Statewide Program of Study: Law Enforcement

The Law Enforcement program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the development and enforcement of laws by various branches of law enforcement. This program includes the history, organization, and functions of local, state, and federal law enforcement. Students learn about constitutional law, the U.S. legal system, criminal law, and law enforcement terminology and procedures.

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

• Level 1: No Level 1 course offered; current sequence completes endorsement requirements
• Level 2: Law Enforcement I
• Level 3:
  • Law Enforcement II
  • Correctional Services
  • Forensic Psychology
• Level 4:
  • Forensic Science
  • Practicum in Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

• Shadow a detective to learn about investigations and the role of detectives in law enforcement
• Intern in dispatch at a local law enforcement agency to learn about first responder roles and processes

Expanded Learning Opportunities

• Visit a police department
• Participate in SkillsUSA

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Apprenticeships

• Security Specialist

Associate Degrees

• Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement

Bachelor’s Degrees

• Forensic Science
• Criminal Justice

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

• Criminal Justice
• Criminology and Criminal Justice

Additional Stackable Licenses/Certifications

• Jailer – Basic County Corrections
• Basic Telecommunicator

Example Aligned Occupations

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

• Median Wage: $64,373
• Annual Openings: 5,424
• 10-Year Growth: 13%

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

• Median Wage: $82,090
• Annual Openings: 1,536
• 10-Year Growth: 8%

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

• Median Wage: $97,571
• Annual Openings: 5,461
• 10-Year Growth: 12%

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications

• IAED Emergency Telecommunicator

Additional Information

Successful completion of the Law Enforcement program of study fulfills requirements of the Public Services endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission (Retrieved March 8, 2024)

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/programs-of-study