Degree conferred: Associate in Applied Science – 69 credits
Limited transferability
Program contact: Division of Social Science and Humanities, (815) 921-3317

Program overview

Graduates of this program are qualified to enter most local and state law enforcement agencies and 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 for 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 AAS 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 AAS 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 the Division of Social Science and Humanities at (815) 921-3317.

Criminal Justice Course Requirements:            (45 credits)
*  CRM    105    Police Report Writing            (3)
+  CRM    120     Criminal Investigation            (3)
    CRM    125     Criminal Procedure and Civil Rights        (3)
    CRM    127     Ethics in Law Enforcement            (3)
+  CRM    225     Juvenile Procedures            (3)
    CRM    281     Rules of Evidence                (3)
*   CRM    282     Interviews and Interrogations        (3)
+  CIS    102    Introduction to Computers and Information Systems            (3)
*   HSR    140    Survey of Psychiatric Rehabilitation    (3)

Electives: Select 18 credits from the following:
+  CRM    101    Introduction to Law Enforcement        (3)
    CRM    102    Introduction to Probation and Parole    (3)
    CRM    103    Introduction to Corrections        (3)
    CRM    104    Introduction to Private Security        (3)
+  CRM    210    Criminal Law                    (3)
*   CRM    260    Police Organization and Administration    (3)
    CRM    271    Patrol Procedures                (3)
    CRM    283    Special Topics in Police Science        (3)
*   CRM    291    Internship                    (1-6)

General Education Course Requirements:            (24 credits)
*  ENG     101     Composition I                    (3)
    SPH     201     Interpersonal Communications        (3)
    PSC     160     American National Government        (3)
    PSC     161     State and Local Government            (3)
    PSY     170     General Psychology                (3)
    SOC     190     Introduction to Sociology            (3)
*  SOC     291     Criminology                    (3)
    FWS     265     Personal Fitness and Wellness        (3)

*Course has a prerequisite--refer to course description.
+CRM Program courses that are typically accepted for transfer.