The Public Service and Safety Department offers challenging, yet rewarding, programs in criminal justice , crime scene technician , emergency medical services , fire protection , emergency management , as well as law enforcement . The educational options include certificate programs that can be completed in one or two semesters, two-year associate of applied science degrees that qualify graduates for entry-level positions and a fully transferable associate of science degree.
*Fire and Police Academy students begin instruction prior to the scheduled fall or spring semester first class day and end later than the scheduled last class day. Students are to adhere to the instructional calendar provided during Academy orientation.
Fall dates are August 3, 2026 - December 18, 2026.
Spring dates are January 4, 2027 - May 20, 2027.
Fall dates are August 17, 2026 - December 10, 2026.
Spring dates are January 27, 2027 - May 13, 2027.
Lamar Institute of Technology also requires students to register for the College Success Skills Course (DORI 0200 ) in their first semester. The course is designed to provide students with a thorough orientation to the campus, postsecondary education, and the classroom skills necessary for success. Students that transfer fifteen semester credit hours (15 SCH) from an accredited postsecondary institution with a GPA of 2.0 may be exempt from the College Success Skills Course.
Not sure which public service career option is right for you? Take a look at programs offered within the Public Service & Safety Department and then give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to discussing the many career and educational opportunities available here at Lamar Institute of Technology.
No active programs available.
Criminal Justice
Program Director: Trazarra Stelly
Office: Technology Center 212
Address: 855 E. Lavaca St., Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 247-5224
E-mail: cj@lit.edu
Lamar Institute of Technology offers five degree/certificate paths in Criminal Justice: Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice-Security Threat Groups, Certificate in Security Threat Groups, Associate of Applied Science in Crime Scene Technician, and Certificate in Crime Scene Technician. Each degree helps students jump-start their careers with Federal, State, Local, and Private Sector jobs.
The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice curriculum is designed for those students who wish to take courses for academic transfer in criminal justice.
The 60 SCH Criminal Justice Security Threat Groups A.A.S. (CJST) and the 24 SCH Certificate in Security Threat Groups Certificate (CJSC) are designed to educate individuals about the world of street gangs, military gangs, drug cartels, and their relationships with organized crime and terrorist groups.
The 60 SCH Criminal Justice Crime Scene Technician A.A.S. (CJSI) Degree and the 24 SCH in Crime Scene Technician Certificate (CCST) train individuals to secure a crime scene and collect information and evidence essential to criminal convictions.
All program specific courses within the Criminal Justice programs must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Academic Associates
Associate of Applied Science
Certificate
Emergency Medical Services
Program Director:
Office: Multipurpose Building, Room 245
Address: 802 E. Lavaca St., Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 247-5090
E-mail: emt@lit.edu
Clinical Coordinator: Tammie Hollaway
Medical Director: Darioush Kavouspour, M.D.
Lamar Institute of Technology Emergency Medical Services Program
Emergency Medical Technician
One semester course offered every semester.
Paramedic Certificate (EMSP)
Three semester course begins in Spring semester.
Paramedic A.A.S. (EMS)
60 SCH Associates degree course, core paramedic course offerings begin in Spring semester.
The Emergency Medical Services Program offers both academic and workforce (continuing education) training curricula designed for people who plan to work in the field of pre-hospital emergency medicine as an EMS provider, firefighter, industrial medicine, safety technician, law enforcement, or other areas in public services.
Individuals interested in the Emergency Medical Technician Certificate (EMSB) , Paramedic Certificate (EMSP) , or Paramedic A.A.S. (EMS) must:
- Meet with the Emergency Medical Service Program director or faculty for course advising.
- Meet all TSI and/or Work Keys™ Reading requirements.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Successfully pass a ten-panel drug screen.
For testing and registration information for the TSI Assessment Exam or Work Keys™ exam, contact the Lamar Institute of Technology Testing Center at (409) 880-8687 or go to the Lamar Institute of Technology Web site, www.lit.edu.
Clinical agencies used by Lamar Institute of Technology are required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to ensure that personnel having contact with patients be free of any past or present criminal behavior that might jeopardize the welfare of the patient or personnel. Therefore, all students must pass a criminal background check to participate in the program. Criminal background checks are conducted by the Emergency Medical Services Program during the first week of the course. If the student fails the background check he or she will be immediately dropped from the program.
Students enrolled in the program attend Emergency Medical Services classes on campus and in the community. Students must also complete clinical rotations and field internships at area hospitals and Advanced Life Support/Mobile Intensive Care Unit Ambulance Services. The Emergency Medical Services Program has a student mentoring program in the Paramedic Clinical Courses.
The initial Emergency Medical Services Program(s) meet and/or exceed the following minimum expectations:
EMT: To prepare competent entry-level EMTs in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) learning domains.
Paramedic: To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) learning domains.
The initial Emergency Medical Services Program courses prepare students for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Examinations.
Graduates of the initial Emergency Medical Services programs are recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as potential testing candidates.
Once a student successfully completes requirements for the National Registry, they may apply for certification by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Certification and/or licensure is not automatic. The NREMT administers all certification examinations upon completion of a Texas DSHS approved educational program. Completion of the Lamar Institute of Technology Emergency Medical Services Program does not guarantee eligibility for Texas DSHS certification and/or licensure. Certification exams are administered at the Lamar Institute of Technology Testing Center.
The Lamar Institute of Technology EMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
CAAHEP:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
CoAEMSP:
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway,
Suite 111-312
Rowlett TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
FAX (214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
Associate of Applied Science
Certificate
Other Awards
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Program Contact: Nicole Mitchell
Office: Technology Center, Room 116A
Address: 855 E. Lavaca St., Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 839-2968
E-mail: hmsy@lit.edu
Lamar Institute of Technology was the first college approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Homeland Security. The curriculum was revised in 2018 to an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security to better address the response needed for both man-made and natural emergency events. LIT also offers a Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security .
The 60 SCH Associate of Applied Science and the 25 SCH Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security provide standardized education and training with real-world solutions to Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and National Defense. The curriculum combines disciplines in communications, emergency management, fire technology, and law enforcement.
All courses in the recommended program of study require a grade of 'C' or better.
Associate of Applied Science
Certificate
Regional Fire Academy
Program Coordinator: Chief, John W. Randall (ret.)
Phone: (409) 247-5142
FAX: (409) 838-2032
E-mail: firefighting@lit.edu
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) establishes eligibility requirements for the Fire Academy. Eligible students must be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate or have an earned GED certificate. We encourage all prospective fire academy applicants to enroll in the Basic EMT courses at LIT before coming to the fire academy and to work towards the Paramedic after graduating from the academy. Individuals may contact the Regional Fire Academy Coordinator at (409) 839-2967 for additional information. The phone number for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection is (512) 936-3838.
The 18 SCH Regional Fire Academy is a one semester in length certificate of completion program that prepares the student for a career in fire protection. The curriculum satisfies the basic training requirements of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) for structural firefighter certification. The Fire Academy is offered in the fall and spring semesters during the day as a credit program.
The LIT Regional Fire Academy's rigorous physical fitness course is designed to prepare cadets for the physical nature of the job. This physical ability test is used by some our local fire departments as a hiring requirement.
Cadets entering the Fire Academy must meet the minimum standards which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pass a physical examination using National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) criteria.
- Be at least eighteen years of age.
- Possess an honorable discharge, if served, for all military service.
- Possess either a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate.
- Possess a valid driver's license.
- Possess a valid social security card.
- Students must take the Work Keys Workplace Documents Exam and score a Level 5 or higher OR TSI Reading with a score of 351 or greater OR TSI-2 945 in ELAR.. Contact testing at 409-247-4978 or testingcenter@lit.edu.
Cadets must successfully pass a criminal background check. Applicants may be denied employment based upon their criminal history. Students who want to know if their criminal history might affect their ability to become certified can request an early review of eligibility by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and their history will be reviewed. The early review of eligibility form is available online at http://www.tcfp.texas.gov.
During the students' course of study, they receive certificates for hazardous materials awareness and hazardous materials operations. Students successfully completing the Fire Academy receive a certificate of completion, eighteen semester credit hours of college credit, and are eligible for state basic structural firefighter certification testing. Graduates of this academy should be prepared to pass civil service examinations and the various employment tests given by government agencies. Upon state certification, graduates are eligible for International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seals for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Hazardous Materials Operations.
The Lamar Institute of Technology Regional Fire Academy offers professional development/continuing education courses for those currently certified by the TCFP. Most of the professional development courses are TCFP certification courses offered in cooperation with LIT Workforce Training.
All courses in the recommended program of study require a grade of 'C' or better.
Certificate
Regional Police Academy
Program Director: Michael Nixon
Office: Multi-Purpose Center, Room 258
Address: 802 E. Lavaca St., Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 257-0049
Manager: Todd Jackson
The Lamar Institute of Technology Regional Police Academy is licensed as a police academy by The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The phone number for TCOLE is (512) 936-7700.
The Regional Police Academy has over forty-two years of experience in law enforcement training and specializes in presenting programs of current and future interest to the law enforcement profession. The Police Academy is partially funded under a grant from the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC). All courses offered are certified for Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) credit.
The mission of the Regional Police Academy is to provide high caliber, cost-effective professional development opportunities for peace officers, telecommunications, and corrections officers at various levels of the profession. The academy is pleased to offer courses in professional development. Academy staff can also customize courses to meet specific training needs.
The Regional Police Academy satisfies the basic training required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for peace officer licensing. Applicants are required to complete and pass an entrance examination before being considered for acceptance into the Police Academy. The entrance examination is offered periodically throughout the year.
All cadets entering the Police Academy must meet minimum standards for entry. The standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
- be a United States citizen.
- pass a physical examination, including drug screen
- pass a psychological examination
- have never received a dishonorable or other discharge based on misconduct which bars future military service
- at least 21 years of age
- have earned a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have completed 2 years active duty military service with a honorable discharge
- pass a criminal history and background investigation to determine that the individual:
- has never been convicted of any domestic violence offense
- has never been convicted of any Class a Misdemeanor or Felony offense
- has not been convicted of a Class B Misdemeanor offense within the last 10 years
- is not currently under indictment for any offense
- is not currently prohibited by any law from owning or possessing a handgun and ammunition
- is not prohibited by any law from operating a motor vehicle
The Police Academy is offered each fall and spring semester during the day. A certificate of completion and eighteen semester credit hours (18 SCH) in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement (CJLE) courses will be awarded to those successfully completing the Police Academy. Graduates earning a grade of 'B' or better are eligible to sit for the Texas Peace Officer licensing exam.
All courses in the recommended program of study require a grade of 'B' or better.
Certificate