Criminal Justice

This program exceeds the minimum education requirements of the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police.

Criminal Justice Program

You'll exceed the minimum education requirements for the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police with the Associate's 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's 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
  • Exhibit professional behavior and meet high ethical standards
  • Identify issues that impact impressions of objectivity, impartiality, fairness and justice

What You Can Learn

Upon completion of the criminal Justice program, graduates will be able to:

  • Identify issues relative to protection of life, liberty, and property, such as identification of potential hazardous situations, promotion of safety awareness, and intervention in and management of crisis and conflict situations.
  • Understand the dynamics and culture of working within the legal system.
  • Understand the legal rights of individuals, recognition of legal limitations, and use of discretionary authority.
  • Exhibit professional behavior and high ethical standards.
  • Identify issues that impact notions of objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and justice.
  • Demonstrate effective oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills.
  • Think critically, analyze, and solve problems by gathering information, summarizing issues, and engaging in persuasion.

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 Career Opportunities

The government's efforts 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 to work as a police officer, sheriff's deputy, or corrections officer. You may also be eligible for a position as a security guard, a telecommunications officer, or a private investigator. Other occupations in the Criminal Justice field may require additional training, licensing and/or education.

Accreditation

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

Requirements and Course Offerings

General and Degree Requirements and Course Offerings