Public Services

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM at DACC is a true 2+2 program leading into core subjects at NMSU. The classes offered in this program, prepare students for a career in criminal justice whether it be with a federal agency such as the FBI or DEA or local and state agencies such as Las Cruces PD and New Mexico State Police.

Classes are administered by highly qualified former law enforcement practitioners that bring a dynamic balance of Criminal Justice Education and decades of police work. Our instructors and professors are all retired law enforcement practitioners with years of experience in policing in both field work and police supervision.

The classes in the criminal justice program prepare students for a career in policing and law enforcement because the classes offered range in the different functions of a law enforcement agency. Some notable courses offered are Introduction to Criminal Justice which provides an overview of policing in general. Criminal Investigations, which takes a deeper dive into the specifics of conducting a criminal investigation as well as scene preservation and handling. Criminal Law addresses the details that the United States criminal justice system relies on for justice. Finally, our Criminal Courts class offers a deep dive into what the American Court system consists of and the different types of criminal and civil courts that exist within our criminal justice system.

THE EMS PROGRAM is a Fast-Paced, Challenging and Rewarding Career Pre hospital emergency medical care is a challenging and exciting profession. The EMS program is accredited by CAAHEP and COAEMSP. People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. EMS professionals may work at any of four different levels: first responder, EMT–basic, EMT–intermediate, and paramedic.

Upon successful completion of training, students are eligible for employment in a variety of emergency medical systems nationwide—in fire departments, municipal services, private ambulance services, federal services, industry, hospital emergency departments, and hospital-based ambulance systems. Dona Ana Community College offers all levels of EMS education, as well as an opportunity to earn an associate of applied science degree at the paramedic level. Successful completion of an EMS program will allow for certification/licensure testing at the state and national level.

The Emergency Medical Services program is nationally accredited by the Committee on Accreditation on Education for the EMS Professions and approved by the New Mexico Office of Health Emergency Management.

THE FIRE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM is a two-year Fire Science Technology degree at Doña Ana Community College and is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)

NOTE: This program does not emphasize firefighter operations. Instead, it focuses on theory, investigation, prevention, and management, Students wishing to enter the fire service may benefit from the general background provided and may receive certifications in various fire-related areas through the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy in Socorro, N.M.., and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

Firefighters work in a wide variety of settings, including urban and suburban areas, airports, chemical plants and other industrial sites, and such rural areas as wildlands and forests. When wildland fires break out, crews of firefighters are brought in to suppress the fires with heavy equipment and hand tools. in addition, smoke jumpers parachute into inaccessible areas. Others who have been trained for the control, prevention, and cleanup of hazardous materials incidents work in hazardous materials units.

Doña Ana Community College provides training for firefighting personnel through its Fire Science Technology program, which is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.  This program provides classroom instruction leading to an associate of applied science degree in fire science technology or a certificate of completion in firefighting. It is suited to those who are new to the field, as well as seasoned firefighters:

• Career and volunteer firefighters and NMSU student firefighters will improve their job performance and prepare for higher level positions in the fire protection fields.
• Students who wish to enter the field of fire protection will benefit from the basic foundations provided in the technical courses as well as general education courses.