Criminal Justice Degree

Degree conferred: Associate in Applied Science - 66 Credits (Limited transferability)
Program contact: Division of Social Science and Humanities, (815) 921-3317

Program overview
 

Graduates of the Criminal Justice (CRM) Program meet the minimum educational requirements necessary to complete for sworn positions at most local and state law enforcement agencies as well as, private security firms. With experience and additional training or education, there are opportunities for graduates to advance into areas of specialization and management.

Work and employment
 

Opportunities include positions in law enforcement, crime prevention, probation, corrections, court records, communications/dispatch, and security/loss prevention.

More about the program
 

It is important for students to consider their career goals when they begin course work in the Criminal Justice Program. Since the degree is also designed for limited transfer to select four-year schools, future educational plans should be considered when building course schedules. Some students have career and academic plans that are more directed towards transfer to a four-year school to earn a Bachelor’s degree in a Criminal Justice related field. For these students, completion of RVC’s Criminal Justice A.A.S. degree may not be the best choice. Instead, these students should consider completion of an Associate of Arts degree at Rock Valley College, using selected transferable courses from the CRM curriculum as electives toward the degree. Courses from the Criminal Justice A.A.S. curriculum that are transferable to a four-year degree are indicated with the symbol “+” in the program curriculum description that follows.

For more information about the Criminal Justice Program, contact an academic advisor, or the Division of Social Science and Humanities at (815) 921-3317.