Criminal Justice
Associate in Applied Science
Curriculum code 1260
Course Requirements                   Public Service Web Site

If your career interests relate to the prevention and control of crime, Moraine Valley Community College’s Criminal Justice Program offers the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment.

You will gain a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and processes, study the nature of and society’s reaction to particular crimes, examine criminal law and learn about the development of the correctional system in America.

The Associate in Applied Science degree is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with an academic advisor to review your options.

The optional internship program (CRJ-233/237) gives students the opportunity to learn first-hand how the justice system operates. Interns work 200 hours at a site and attend a weekly seminar.

Students may be able to receive an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree with their Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.

Nature of Work—Graduates are prepared for careers in the criminal justice system at the municipal, county, state and federal levels. Graduates can work in various capacities in the system, such as the police, courts and corrections.

Related Job Titles—bailiff, border patrol agent, community service officer, corrections officer, court clerk, court deputy, deputy sheriff, dispatcher, law enforcement officer, police officer, private security officer and investigator, state police evidence technician and transportation security officer.

Transfer Options—Please contact the Academic Advising Center in C250 for detailed information about transfer options and agreements. Local colleges and universities with criminal justice programs include: Chicago State University, Governors State University, Lewis University, Loyola University—Water Tower Campus, St. Xavier University, and University of Illinois at Chicago. There are also programs in other parts of Illinois at Illinois State University, Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University.

Employment Outlook—Employment of police is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Because of relatively attractive salaries and benefits, the number of qualified candidates exceeds the number of openings in federal law enforcement agencies and most state and local police departments. This results in increased hiring standards and selectivity by employers. Competition is expected to remain keen for the higher-paying jobs with state and federal agencies and police departments. Applicants with college credit in criminal justice, police science, military police experience or both should have the best opportunities. Annual salaries are as follows: Chicago police officers $43,104, increases to $55,728 after one year (City of Chicago, 3/07, www.cityofchicago.org/police); local correctional officers $41,695 and court deputy sheriffs $40,156 (Cook County Sheriff, 3/07, www.cookcountysheriff.org); state correctional officers $35,868, increases to $38,712 after three months as a trainee; youth supervisor officers $32,568, increases to $34,956 after six months (Illinois Department of Corrections, 3/07, www.idoc.state.il.us); state police evidence technician I $2,448-$3,407 per month (www.isp.state.il.us/forensics); transportation security officer $23,600-$35,400 plus locality pay (Transportation Security Administration, 9/06, www.tsa.gov). Annual salaries, application requirements, testing procedures and other information can be accessed through the Job Placement Center located in T904. Students can make an appointment with a placement specialist by calling (708) 974-5737. The college’s Web site also has additional information at www.morainevalley.edu/jpc.