Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

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Whether your plan is to take classes and transfer to a four-year university or enter one of our career programs designed to get you into the workforce right away, Rock Valley College has what you are looking for. Select from one of our more than 60 transfer areas or more than 30 career programs.

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At Rock Valley College, you're not just a number. Our highly respected faculty have master's degrees, doctorates and real-world experience. You won't be competing for attention in a huge lecture hall. Our average class size is 21, so you'll get a chance to interact, challenge and be challenged by your instructors.

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RVC competes in NJCAA Division III in men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Not to brag, but we're pretty good at it. Our teams have won seven national championships and we have had more than 100 All-Americans.

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The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!

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Criminal Justice

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 descriptions below
+CRM Program courses that are typically accepted for transfer.

Criminal Justice Course Descriptions

CRM-101
Introduction to Criminal Justice
IAI: None
Introduction to Criminal Justice is open to all students and covers the philosophy and history of law enforcement, crime and police problems, organization and jurisdiction of local, state, and federal law enformcement agencies, and a survey of professional career opportunities and their corresponding required qualifications.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-102
Intro to Probation and Parole
IAI: None
Introduction to Probation and Parole is designed to acquaint the student with the functions, procedures and objectives of probation and parole systems. Emphasis will be placed on developing the student's understanding of the role of probation and parole in the criminal justice system.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-103
Introduction to Corrections
IAI: CRJ 911
Introduction to Corrections provides for the opportunity to study the history of corrections in society, as well as the philosophy of punishment as a means to deter crime. The course will also focus on contemporary issues in the field of corrections, including such topics as jail standards and the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the jail/prison system.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-104
Intro to Private Security
IAI: None
Introduction to Private Security is designed as an introductory review of the field for either supervisors or security personnel. The main emphasis of this course is in the areas of personnel and property conservation. Areas covered will include legal boundaries, human relations, interrogation, accident prevention, fire hazards and traffic control.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-105
Police Report Writing
IAI: None
Police Report Writing includes specialized training for law enforcement and private security personnel. It includes the study of basic vocabulary, grammar and organization, and methods for reports. Students use the field notes, forms, narrative and description procedures of area law enforcement agencies.
Prerequisite: Eng 101
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-120
Criminal Investigation
IAI: None
Criminal Investigation covers the basics of criminal investigation, including crime scene search and recording; collection and preservation of physical evidence; scientific aids; sources of information; interviews and interrogations; follow-up investigations and case preparation.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-125
Criminal Procedure and Civil Rights
IAI: None
Criminal Procedure and Civil Rights covers the rights and privileges of individuals and groups. The emphasis is on current decisions, which govern the actions of law enforcement officers.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-127
Ethics in Law Enforcement
IAI: None
Ethics in Law Enforcement will introduce the student to the ethical principles that apply to those entering law enforcement and related career paths. Specific examples of police corruption in the United States will be examined. Students will be exposed to contemporary ethical standards, which govern the conduct of individuals entering these fields.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-210
Criminal Law
IAI: None
Criminal Law covers the reasons for criminal laws; their source and function in our society; the structure, definitions, and most frequently used sections of the penal code and other criminal statutes, which apply to local jurisdictions; classifications of crimes; and the nature of crimes.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-225
Juvenile Procedures
IAI: None
Juvenile Procedures covers the position law enforcement agencies have in juvenile and delinquency control, organization and functions of related juvenile agencies, the laws governing the handling of juvenile offenders, and the application of those laws. Also included is a brief resume of the juvenile court and its jurisdiction.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours

CRM-260
Police Organization & Administration
IAI: None
Police Organization and Administration is designed to give students a knowledge of the principles and practice involved in the organization and administration of law enforcement agencies. Special emphasis will be on management, planning, problems in division of work assignments, specialization, internal communication and budgeting.
Prerequisite: CRM 101 or consent of instructor
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-271
Patrol Procedures
IAI: None
Patrol Procedures will expose students to the patrol function of law enforcement. Emphasis will be placed on the techniques and procedures necessary to successfully investigate such incidents as crashes, domestic disputes, high-risk vehicle stops and other law enforcement calls for service.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-281
Rules of Evidence
IAI: None
Rules of Evidence covers the importance of evidence collected and preserved by law enforcement officers. Subjects such as judicial evidence, proof, law of evidence, degree of certainty, kinds and types of evidence, relevancy and irrelevancy, materiality and immateriality, competency and incompetency will be covered. The course also covers the admissibility of evidence, confessions, reported testimonies, documented evidence, privileged communications, and sufficiency of evidence.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-282
Interviews and Interrogations
IAI: None
Interviews and Interrogations is designed to help the student understand the purpose and importance of proper interviews and the methods of interviewing. Assessment of the verbal and non-verbal communication in the interview/interrogation setting will be stressed. Students will learn the philosophy of interrogation, how to compose and ask questions, and what to avoid in interrogation.
Prerequisite: CRM 101 or consent of instructor
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

CRM-283
Special Topics in Police Science
IAI: None
Special Topics in Police Science is designed to meet the needs or interests of the prospective police applicant as well as the veteran officer. Course requirements are based on the topics under study. This course may be repeated three times.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1-4 semester hours
Lecture: 1-4 Lab: 0

CRM-291
Internship
IAI: None
Internship provides for observation and limited participation in law enforcement or related agencies. Consent of program coordinator and agency is required. Seventy-five hours of internship is required for each hour of credit.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 12 credits in the police science curriculum. May be repeated for a total of six credits maximum. (Repeatable three times.)
Credit: 1-6 semester hours
Lecture: 1 Lab: 5-30