Criminal Justice | Rend Lake College

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Criminal Justice

Welcome to our criminal justice program. We offer a wide range of options for students interested in criminal justice, including a two-year Associate in Arts transfer program, a two-year Associate in Applied Science curriculum and other courses. Let us prepare you for a rewarding career in criminal justice. Explore our site to discover how we can help you achieve your goals.

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Associate In Arts Degree

Criminal Justice

This two-year transfer program leads to an Associate in Arts Degree. The curriculum is designed for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in various areas of criminal justice. It provides students with the background in criminal justice and general studies necessary for advanced work at a four-year college or university. Students are advised to check with the institution to which they are transferring or an advisor at Rend Lake College for any additional requirements.
plan your aa degree in criminal justice

program details

Courses
Total = 64 Hours
Fall Semester
CRJS 1201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1203 - Introduction to Corrections 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 3 Cr. Hrs.
POLI 1101 - State and Local Government 3 Cr. Hrs.
SOCI 1101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking 3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1101 - Introduction to Computers 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1102 - Rhetoric and Composition II 3 Cr. Hrs.
HEA 1101 - Health Education 2 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Math 3 Cr. Hrs.
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
BIO 1101 - College Biology 5 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1202 - Criminology 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Art / Music 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Fine Arts / Humanities 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
MATH 1105 - Basic Concepts of Statistics 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Fine Arts / Humanities 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective – Science 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.
Recommended Electives
ANTH 1101 - Cultural Anthropology 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 2106 - Intermediate Composition 3 Cr. Hrs.
POLI 2101 - American Government 3 Cr. Hrs.
SOCI 2101 - Social Problems 3 Cr. Hrs.
Costs & How To Pay

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

 

Associate In Applied Science Degree

Criminal Justice

This two-year program leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice (64 hours), with specializations in either police science or corrections. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a general background in all areas of criminal justice and prepare them for positions in police science, private security or corrections. Graduates will be prepared for jobs in police and sheriff departments, private security firms and correctional institutions. The curriculum provides those in the field with a means to upgrade job skills and enhance advancement potential.
plan your aas degree in criminal justice

program details

Courses
Total = 64 Hours
First Semester
CRJS 1201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1202 - Criminology 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1203 - Introduction to Corrections 3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1101 - Introduction to Computers or CSCI 1102 - Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications 3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.
Second Semester
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Mathematics or MATH 1201 - Technical Mathematics 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2208 - Criminal Investigation 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1206 - Community-Based Corrections 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2209 - Criminal Law 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1204 - Community Policing 3 Cr. Hrs.
PSYC 2101 - Intro to Psychology 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 18 Cr. Hrs.
Third Semester
CRJS 2204 - Criminal Justice Administration 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2205 - Police Weapons / Defensive Tactics 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2220 - Loss Control and Crime Prevention or CRJS 2212 - Correctional Counseling 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2206 - Criminal Procedure 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1220 - Introduction to Private Security 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 15 Cr. Hrs.
Fourth Semester
CRJS 2202 - Juvenile Justice 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2225 - Crime Scene Investigation 4 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1208 - Private Investigator 3 Cr. Hrs.
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking 3 Cr. Hrs.
Elective 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 16 Cr. Hrs.
Core Electives
CRJS 1209 - Law Enforcement Scenarios 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1250 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2210 - Criminal Justice Internship 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS Electives
CRJS 2220 - Private Protection Certificate -
CRJS 2212 - Police and Corrections Certificate -
Costs & How To Pay

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

 

Program Outcomes

1. Discuss major problems facing criminal justice professionals today.

2. Identify the general nature of various occupational areas within the criminal justice system.

3. Analyze the more important U.S. Supreme Court decisions and their effects on the criminal justice system.

4. Analyze a use of deadly force scenario and explain the law regarding this issue.

5. Explain the sentencing options available to judges.

Occupational Certificates

Police & Corrections

The Police & Corrections Certificate is one pathway in the Criminal Justice field. It is recommended to select courses in the pathway of interest to fulfill the four Criminal Justice electives when completing an AAS Degree in Criminal Justice. This option will allow students to complete an AAS degree and a certificate simultaneously.

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

 

Total = 18 Hours
Fall Semester
CRJS 1203 - Introduction to Corrections 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2212 - Correctional Counseling 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2206 - Criminal Procedures 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 9 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
CRJS 1206 - Community-Based Corrections 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 2209 - Criminal Law 3 Cr. Hrs.
CRJS 1204 - Community Policing 3 Cr. Hrs.
Total 9 Cr. Hrs.
VIDEO

Career Connection

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Career Cluster

Featuring:
Kevin Sargent, Fire Chief, Mt. Vernon Fire Department

Sarah Peas, Police Officer, Mt. Vernon Police Department

 

Key Information for Applying

Start Here. Go Anywhere.

Transfer Information

Students who graduate with an Associate Degree can transfer their credits to a university and pursue a Bachelor's degree and beyond. 

Articulation agreements - also known as Transfer Guides - document the pathway between RLC and the university. Historically, RLC has built articulation agreements with midwestern universities. However, students have worked with both institutions to build a pathway.   

View our transfer guides and more about articulation agreements 

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Transfer Guides

We have guides that document a pathway between your degree at RLC and many universities.

Murray State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Southern Indiana
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Central Methodist University
McKendree University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Eastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
University of Illinois
Accreditation

Quality Education. Guaranteed.

Since 1969, Rend Lake College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

More about accreditation
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Faculty & Staff

Applied Science & Technology Division

Phone: (618) 437-5321 ext. 1261

Email: AppliedScience@rlc.edu

Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Applied Science

Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Applied Science

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