2024-2025 Catalog

Criminal Justice, A.A.S.

A.A.S. Degree—62 credit hours

Curriculum Code 1260

This program prepares students for entry-level careers in the criminal justice system, including careers in policing, the courts and corrections. Employment of police officers is expected to grow faster than the average, while employment of correctional officers is expected to increase much faster than the average. Because of the attractive salaries and benefits, the number of qualified candidates exceeds the number of job openings in federal law enforcement agencies and in most state, local and special police departments, resulting in increased hiring standards and selectivity by employers.

Students may be able to receive an A.A. (Associate in Arts) degree with their A.A.S. degree. Refer to the A.A. degree graduation requirements or contact an academic advisor. Students also may consult the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) recommended curriculum in criminal justice.

Required General Education Courses

32 credit hours as follows:

COM-101Composition I

3

COM-102Composition II

3

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

MTH-120General Education Mathematics

3

PSC-110American National Government

3

PSY-101Introduction to Psychology

3

SOC-101Introduction to Sociology

3

(Note: Take MTH-120 or higher.)

Select 8 credit hours Physical and Life Sciences:

BIO, CHM, EAS, GEL, NAT, PHS, PHY (two lab science courses recommended)

Select 3 credit hours from Humanities and Fine Arts:

ARB, ART, FRE, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, SPA, THE

Required Career Courses

24 credit hours as follows:

CRJ-101Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CRJ-105Criminology

3

CRJ-106Introduction to Corrections

3

CRJ-107Juvenile Delinquency & Procedures

3

CRJ-201Police in American Society

3

CRJ-202Investigation & Criminal Evidence

3

CRJ-206Substantive Criminal Law

3

CRJ-207Procedural Criminal Law

3

Electives

Select 6 credit hours from the following course groups or specific courses:

ADC-230Special Topics in Addiction Studies

1

BUS-142Financial Accounting

4

CRJ-___
(any Criminal Justice)

1-3

EMS-101Emergency Medical Technician

8

CIS-115Microsoft Office I

3

MTH-139Probability and Statistics

4

MTH-141College Algebra (Functions)

4

PEH-107Introduction to Group Fitness

1

SLP-___
(any Security and Loss Prevention)

1-3

(Note: In addition, any course that fulfills the general education requirement for an A.A. degree can be taken as an elective. See the Transfer Programs section in the catalog for more information.)

Suggested Schedule

Semester 1 (15 credit hours)

COM-101Composition I

3

CRJ-101Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CRJ-105Criminology

3

SOC-101Introduction to Sociology

3

___-___
Humanities and Fine Arts Elective

3

Semester 2 (15 credit hours)

COM-102Composition II

3

CRJ-106Introduction to Corrections

3

CRJ-107Juvenile Delinquency & Procedures

3

PSC-110American National Government

3

PSY-101Introduction to Psychology

3

Semester 3 (16 credit hours)

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

CRJ-201Police in American Society

3

CRJ-206Substantive Criminal Law

3

___-___
Career Elective

3

___-___
Physical and Life Sciences Elective

4

Semester 4 (16 credit hours)

CRJ-202Investigation & Criminal Evidence

3

CRJ-207Procedural Criminal Law

3

MTH-120General Education Mathematics

3

___-___
Career Elective

3

___-___
Physical and Life Sciences Elective

4