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.

Click on a course code below for course information and seat availability.

► 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 (14 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)

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.

Click on a course code below for course information and seat availability.

► Total = 64 Hours

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

CRJS 1201 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
CRJS 1202 Criminology (3)
CRJS Elective – Criminal Justice (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