For students looking to start a career in law enforcement, the basic peace officer program at Lone Star College-University Park can serve as a track to a new job or a starting point toward a degree.

The LSC-University Park Law Enforcement Academy will host an open house for the program July 6 at 9 a.m. in Building 12, Room 116. The college will offer one full-time program and two part-time day or night programs during the upcoming fall semester starting Aug. 3.

The program consists of four classes that take one semester to complete. Upon completion of the courses, students are prepared to take a 250-question state license exam. If students pass with a score of 70 or higher, they will be eligible to apply to any law enforcement agency in the state, according to the LSCS course description.

Completing the course offers graduates a wider range of employment options, such as working in a school district, a sheriff’s office or any other public law enforcement agency, said Steven Kahla, LSC-University Park dean of instruction for workforce. Generally, police officer academy students are limited to working in a city department upon receiving certification, Kahla said.

For more information on the Basic Peace Officer Program at Lone Star College-University Park, read the July issue of Community Impact Newspaper.