Find Your Purpose with Criminal Justice, Firefighter Training & More
Public & Social Services at Austin Community College is where highly-trained professionals get ready to protect, serve, and support our local communities. Accredited ASL training, ACC’s Fire Academy, and police academy training are all hands-on ways to start a rewarding career. Austin and Central Texas need community heroes. ACC is where you can skill up and answer the call, from ASL Interpreter training to Criminal Justice and Paralegal certifications.
Find Your Program in Public & Social Services
Credit Programs
Continuing Education
Career certificates and advanced training in Public & Social Services can help you skill up with short non-credit courses. Explore ACC’s Fire Academy and specialized training.
Visit ACC Continuing Education’s Public & Social Services programs and courses here
College & Career Experiences in Your Area of Study
- Explore Peace Officer Training in Criminal Justice.
- Practice American Sign Language in the ASLIT Lab.
- Find ASL-Interpreter Internships & Mentorship.
- Learn Emergency Preparedness 101 from ACC Experts.
Updates from this Area of Study
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What Can I Do with a Criminal Justice Associate Degree?
An associate degree in criminal justice is a more versatile degree than students realize. Although many people assume that criminal justice is aimed at training students to become police officers, this degree field goes far … Continue reading
It’s Your Time to Explore Public & Social Services
With Austin Community College, you can learn firefighting skills or train to become a peace officer in ACC’s police academy. Earn your associate degree, skill up with specialized credentials, or discover university transfer degrees in programs like Social Work and Addictions Counseling.
Criminal Justice & Peace Officer Training
Earn an associate degree in Criminal Justice and learn the skills law enforcement needs, from investigations to emergency response. Flexible class schedules for full-time professionals and hands-on education in ACC’s police academy help ensure you get the best possible training. Students can also earn their peace officer certifications and move directly into a law enforcement career.
Fire Protection & Fire Training Academy
You can earn an associate degree in Fire Protection Technology or fast track your firefighting career with streamlined, hands-on training. ACC’s Fire Training Academy is a rigorous 1-semester training program and can be a great first step to becoming a certified firefighter.
Human Services & Counseling
Human Services at ACC offers multiple educational pathways in addiction counseling and social services. Coursework includes general education needed for university transfer, theory, and practical applications in internships. Counseling and community help are important, high-demand careers. You can make a difference for the people who need it most.
American Sign Language Interpreter Training
ACC’s American Sign Language (ASL) program teaches students to translate for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Join active student communities, find unique internships, and go through ASL training to become an interpreter with ACC. You can start with a Level 1 certificate in ASL or earn an associate degree that transfers directly to Gallaudet University.
Start Your Career in Criminal Justice at ACC
Earn the Experience You Need with ACC
Earn the Experience You Need with ACC
Choose from certificate and associate degree programs, or focus on credits that transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
State-of-the-Art Campuses & ACC Online
State-of-the-Art Campuses & ACC Online
Located at Hays Campus, ACC’s Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) provides hands-on training for firefighters, law enforcement, and paramedics. It features a 7,000-square-foot tactical room, 50-yard tactical shooting range, 19-acre emergency vehicle operator course, and specially designed training rooms for different first responders.
Find Your Campus: Public & Social Services
While all 11 ACC campuses have essential academic resources and support services, Public & Social Services students may find more specialized classes, free tutoring, and faculty at the following locations.
North: Cypress Creek Campus, Round Rock Campus
Central: Eastview Campus, Highland Campus
South: Hays Campus, Rio Grande Campus
Request Information About Applying to ACC
Note: Bachelor’s Degree, Health Sciences, and other specialty programs may not appear in the Program Of Interest selection area. Use the Request for Information links on those pages to contact those program administrators.