Criminal Justice Degree Program in Chicago, Illinois

Northwestern College’s Criminal Justice degree program in Chicago, IL exceeds the minimum education requirements of the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police.

Why Choose Our Criminal Justice School?

You'll exceed the minimum education requirements for the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police with the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

Combine your interest in the criminal justice system, your passion for serving your community, and making the world a better place with a degree in Criminal Justice from Northwestern College. Our Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice prepares and qualifies you for careers in county and local law enforcement.

Criminal Justice Program Overview

• Identify potentially hazardous situations, promote safety awareness, and appropriately intervene in and manage crisis and conflict situations
• Work within the dynamics and culture of the legal system
• Enforce the rights of individuals, recognize legal limitations, and exercise discretionary authority
• Identify issues that impact impressions of objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and justice

Usually, 12 to 14 weeks of additional training at a police academy is required for police officer and sheriff's deputy positions. Other occupations in the field may require additional training, licensing, and/or education.

Criminal Justice Program Goals

Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Identify and analyze issues relative to protection of life, liberty, and property
• Understand the dynamics and cultures of working within the legal system
• Critically evaluate the legal rights of individuals, recognition of legal limitations, and use of discretionary authority
• Exhibit professional behavior and high ethical standards
• Demonstrate effective oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills as expected in criminal justice professions

Criminal Justice Career Opportunities (CIP Code 43.0107)

The government's effort to meet society's need for a safer living environment is driving the rising demand for law enforcement personnel. This means that criminal justice graduates will find an increased number of opportunities for employment. Some occupations in the criminal justice field may require additional training, licensing, and/or education.

The Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare you for potential employment in the following: (the occupation listed contains a link to information on the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET website).

33-3051 - Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
33-9032 - Security Guards

Accreditation

Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahlc.org.

Requirements and Course Offerings

See the Northwestern College Catalog

Other Program Information

We are not required by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools or the Illinois Board of Higher Education to report placement rates.

During the 2011-2012 Academic Year (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012), 55 students graduated from the Criminal Justice program at Northwestern College. Of these students, 13 graduated on-time as defined in the Northwestern College catalog. (Part-time students generally take a longer period of time to graduate because they don't take a full load; therefore, the graduation rate is lower since part-time students are not considered to have graduated on-time). The median student loan indebtedness of the Criminal Justice program graduates in 2011-2012 was as follows: Federal Stafford Student Loans (subsidized/unsubsidized) - $32,263; Third-Party Private Education Loans - $0; Northwestern College Institutional (GAP) Loan - $1,492.

The tuition and fees for a student starting the Criminal Justice associate degree program as of the 2012-2013 academic year is estimated at $44,890, based upon six academic quarters of full-time tuition at current tuition rates. (Potential future tuition increases cannot be determined at this time, and hence are not factored into this estimate.) Book and supply costs are estimated at $2,400. (The actual cost will vary depending on multiple factors). Northwestern College does not offer on-campus housing. For additional information on college costs, please visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance web page.

Talk to Us
If you would like to pursue a career in the criminal justice system, then our Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice could be the right program for you. To learn more about our Criminal Justice school, contact us today to request information!