Criminal Justice

Career opportunities in Criminal Justice generally can be categorized into five major fields: law enforcement, courts, corrections, forensic science and private security. In these areas, a multitude of challenging occupations provides for a wide range of personal and career satisfaction. Criminal justice professionals perform a valuable and essential service for society.

They function to prevent and control crime, shield the public from harm, provide detention and rehabilitation services and ensure equal justice for all citizens through the judicial system.

Jobs in the criminal justice system constitute one of the largest career groups in public service, and opportunities exist on all levels of governmental jurisdiction: federal, state and local. The private sector also has shown an increasing need for criminal justice professionals. Several educational options in Criminal Justice are available to you at Rend Lake College. The Associate in Arts Degree is designed to allow you to transfer to a four-year university to continue your studies, while the Associate in Applied Science Degree prepares you to graduate and start your career. The newest addition to our program is the Cyber Forensics Specialist occupational certificate, built to train you in combating cybercrime. Certificates in Corrections, Police Science and Private Protection also are available.

Degrees & Certificates in Criminal Justice

APPLIED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Associate in Arts Degree

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Associate in Arts Degree

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.

► Total = 64 Hours

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 1201 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
CRJS 1203 Introduction to Corrections (3)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
POLI 1101 State and Local Government ¹ (3)
SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology ¹ (3)

Second Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

COMM 1101 Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
CSCI 1101 Introduction to Computers (3)
ENGL 1102 Rhetoric and Composition II (3)
HEA 1101 Health Education (2)
PSYC 2101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
MATH 1107 Contemporary College Math (3)

Third Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

BIO 1101 College Biology (5)
CRJS 1202 Criminology (3)
Elective – Art / Music (3)
Elective – Fine Arts / Humanities (3)
Elective (3)

Fourth Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

MATH 1111 Statistics (4)
Elective – Fine Arts / Humanities (3)
Elective – Science (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

ANTH 1101 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ENGL 2106 Intermediate Composition (3)
POLI 2101 American Government (3)
SOCI 2101 Social Problems (3)

¹ Prerequisite course(s) may be required based test scores.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Associate in Applied Science Degree

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Associate in Applied Science Degree

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.

► Total = 64 Hours

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 1201 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
CRJS 1202 Criminology (3)
CRJS 1203 Introduction to Corrections (3)
CSCI 1101 Introduction to Computers ¹ (3)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ² (3)

Second Semester (18 Cr. Hrs.)

COMM 1101 Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
CRJS 2208 Criminal Investigation (3)
CRJS 1206 Community-Based Corrections (3)
CRJS 2209 Criminal Law (3)
CRJS 1204 Community Policing (3)
PSYC 2101 Intro to Psychology(3)

Third Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 2204 Criminal Justice Administration (3)
CRJS 2205 Police Weapons / Defensive Tactics (3)
CRJS 2220 Loss Control and Crime Prevention* (3) or
CRJS 2212 Correctional Counselling* (3)
CRJS 2206 Criminal Procedure (3)
CRJS 1220 Intorduction to Private Security (3)

Fourth Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 2202 Juvenile Justice (3)
CRJS 2225 Crime Scene Investigation (4)
CRJS 1208 Private Investigator (3)
MATH 1107 Contemporary College Mathematics (3)
Core Elective (3)

* Any CRJS course not required which is offered may be taken as an elective. Consult advisor for elective choices to consider for transfer and other options.

¹ Student must pass pre-test prior to enrolling in course.

² Prerequisite course(s) may be required based on test scores.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Occupational Certificates

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Occupational Certificates

APPLIED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

POLICE AND CORRECTIONS - Certificate

POLICE AND CORRECTIONS - Certificate

► Total = 18 Hours

First Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 1203 Introduction to Corrections (3)
CRJS 2212 Correctional Counseling (3)
CRJS 2206 Criminal Procedures (3)

Second Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 1206 Community-Based Corrections (3)
CRJS 2209 Criminal Law (3)
CRJS 1204 Community Policing (3)

PRIVATE PROTECTION - Certificate

PRIVATE PROTECTION - Certificate

► Total = 12 Hours

First Semester (6 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 2220 Loss Control and Crime Prevention (3)
CRJS 1220 Introduction to Private Security (3)

Second Semester (6 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 2209 Criminal Law (3)
CRJS 1208 Private Investigator (3)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

BIO 1100 Biology for Non-majors (4)
ENGL 1102 Rhetoric and Composition (3)
POLI 2101 American Government (3)
SPAN 1101 Elementary Spanish (3)

RECOMMENDED CRIMINAL JUSTICE ELECTIVES

Choice of Certificate required courses
CRJS 2210 Criminal Justice Internship (3)

Brochures

Criminal Justice Brochure

Program Costs

Criminal Justice Degree

Corrections Certificate

Police Science Certificate

Private Protection Certificate

Program Outcomes

Criminal Justice
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.

Articulation

Articulation agreements document a pathway between Rend Lake College and the following schools for the academic program(s) listed.

Central Methodist University

Central Methodist University - Articulation Agreements

McKendree University

McKendree University - Articulation Agreements

Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist University - Articulation Agreements

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Articulation Agreements

Transfer Information

Rend Lake College is 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.

Rend Lake College has been accredited since 1969. Voluntary accreditation is an activity of great importance to Rend Lake College and the community it serves. The process ensures that RLC is accountable – that our programs are effective and that we are delivering on our guarantees of educational quality.

Students who graduate with an Associates in Science (AS) or an Associates in Arts (AA) have the ability to transfer to institutions that will allow them to continue towards a goal of a Bachelors degree (BA or BS).

Rend Lake College works with other institutions to allow for an easy transition to a four-year university. Some of the Universities that have this working relationship are:

Headlines

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office donates $1,000 to RLC Criminal Justice program

INA, IL (Oct. 18, 2021) – Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard donated $1,000 to the Rend Lake College The scholarship monies come from the county drug forfeiture fund, and the annual distribution from the money collected can go toward education. “We have done it every year I have been in office,” Bullard said. This year, scholarships will go to seven local students to help them pay for their...
Jefferson County Sheriff donates firearms and funds to RLC Criminal Justice program

INA, Ill. (Oct. 19, 2020) — Students studying criminal justice at Rend Lake College will benefit from some new equipment and additional funding thanks to a recent donation from Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard. Bullard’s office donated $1,000 for criminal justice scholarships at the college along with four XD .40 Smith & Wesson handguns that students can use during classes that utilize the...

Faculty & Staff

Dr. Gabriele Farner

Dean of Applied Science & Technology

Phone Extension: 1292

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 138

M.S. & B.S., Southern Illinois University

Ronald Meek

Criminal Justice Associate Professor

Phone Extension: 1239

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 143

FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va. | Police Training Institute, University of Illinois | B.S., Greenville College | A.A.S., Lake Land College |

Taylor Hutchens

Administrative Assistant | Applied Science & Technology Division

Phone Extension: 1261

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 139

A.A. & A.S., Rend Lake College | A.S., John A. Logan College

Applied Science & Technology Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1261
Email: [email protected]
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Applied Science
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Applied Science

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Criminal Justice

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Degrees & Certificates in Criminal Justice

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Associate in Arts Degree

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

Second Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

Third Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

Fourth Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Associate in Applied Science Degree

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

Second Semester (18 Cr. Hrs.)

Third Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

Fourth Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Occupational Certificates

POLICE AND CORRECTIONS - Certificate

First Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

Second Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

PRIVATE PROTECTION - Certificate

First Semester (6 Cr. Hrs.)

Second Semester (6 Cr. Hrs.)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

RECOMMENDED CRIMINAL JUSTICE ELECTIVES

Brochures

Program Costs

Program Outcomes

Articulation

Central Methodist University

McKendree University

Missouri Baptist University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Transfer Information

Headlines

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office donates $1,000 to RLC Criminal Justice program

Jefferson County Sheriff donates firearms and funds to RLC Criminal Justice program

Faculty & Staff

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Advisement

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