Programs
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.
Associate In Arts Degree
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 1100 - College Biology for Non-Majors | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
| CRJS 1202 - Criminology | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective – Fine Arts | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective – Humanities | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 16 Cr. Hrs. |
| Spring Semester | |
| MATH 1111 - Statistics | 4 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective – Fine Arts | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective – Science | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Elective | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 16 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
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.
Associate In Applied Science Degree
Criminal Justice
program details
Courses
| Total = 64 Hours | |
|---|---|
| Fall 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. |
| Spring 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. |
| Fall 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. |
| Spring 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
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.
Program Outcomes
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.
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.
| 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. |
Private Protection
The Private Protection 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.
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.
| Total = 12 Hours | |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | |
| CRJS 1220 - Introduction to Private Security | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| CRJS 2220 - Loss Control and Crime Prevention | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 6 Cr. Hrs. |
| Spring Semester | |
| CRJS 1208 - Private Investigator | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| CRJS 2209 - Criminal Law | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 6 Cr. Hrs. |
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.
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.
| 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. |
Private Protection
The Private Protection 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.
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.
| Total = 12 Hours | |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | |
| CRJS 1220 - Introduction to Private Security | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| CRJS 2220 - Loss Control and Crime Prevention | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 6 Cr. Hrs. |
| Spring Semester | |
| CRJS 1208 - Private Investigator | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| CRJS 2209 - Criminal Law | 3 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 6 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
Become Familiar with RLC Admission Requiremements
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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
Transfer Guides
We have guides that document a pathway between your degree at RLC and many universities.
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.
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
News
View NewsRLC receives Criminal Justice Scholarship for the 12th year.
Jefferson County Sheriff and Mt. Vernon Police Chief recently presented a $1,500 scholarship donation for students in the Criminal Justice program at RLC.
RLC Hosts Eleventh Annual Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships
Rend Lake College Hosts Eleventh Annual Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships
