Criminal Justice (AA.CJS)

This program is designed for students desiring to enter a criminal justice field (law enforcement, corrections, probation, etc.) directly upon graduation or for students desiring to transfer to a university.



This program follows Math Pathway #1. Math requirements for a specific major may vary from one institution to another. Please consult with an academic counselor or academic advisor to confirm the pathway that is applicable to your major and transfer institution.
Catalog Term Year: 2025 Fall
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Hours
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway 
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway
Students will study the writing process by reading essays illustrating a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing texts and writing, revising and editing short essays. Course is for students who have assessed into developmental English, receiving supplemental instruction for course completion.

Course Outline
* OR
ENG-120
Composition I 
ENG-120
Composition I
Students develop a writing process by reading and analyzing texts that illustrate various rhetorical strategies as well as writing, revising and editing short essays. Minimally, students must compose four formal, revised writing assignments, having one reach at least 1,250 words.

Course Outline
3.0
MAT-115
General Education Pathway 
MAT-115
General Education Pathway
Survey of mathematical topics including set theory, consumer/financial math, measurement and statistics. Problem-solving projects involving detailed written solutions required. Calculators and computers will be used. Intended for students that don't assess directly into MAT-116. Includes supplemental instruction lab.

Course Outline
OR
MAT-116
General Education Math 
MAT-116
General Education Math
Survey of mathematical topics with emphasis on solutions to real-life problems. Topics will include set theory, consumer/financial math, measurement, and statistics. Problem-solving projects involving detailed written solutions will be required. Calculators and computers will be used.

Course Outline
3.0
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology 
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology
Focuses on psychology as a science, presenting concepts, research methods and research in a variety of subfields, including neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, disorders and therapy and social psychology.

Course Outline
3.0
POS-162
State/Local Govern 
POS-162
State/Local Govern
Focuses on legal authority, structure, leadership and functions of state, county, city, township and special district governments. The Illinois State Constitution is analyzed.

Course Outline
3.0
CJS-150
Intro/Criminal Justice 
CJS-150
Intro/Criminal Justice
Focuses on an overview of the justice system with emphasis on the total system of police, courts, and corrections.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

15.0
Second Semester
ENG-121
Composition II 
ENG-121
Composition II
Students will learn how to find, use, assess and document research sources, producing an extended writing project based primarily on library research.

Course Outline
3.0
PSY-273
Abnormal Psychology 
PSY-273
Abnormal Psychology
Takes an integrative approach to psychopathology. Areas of study include research methods; clinical assessment and diagnosis; descriptions, causes and treatments of the major psychological disorders; and legal and ethical issues in abnormal psychology.

Course Outline
3.0
CJS-152
Criminal Investigation I 
CJS-152
Criminal Investigation I
Focuses on the fundamentals of investigation, crime scene applications and investigative techniques and procedures. Upon completion of this course, the student will understand the theory and practicality of investigation from crime scene to courtroom.

Course Outline
3.0
CJS-156
Criminal Law 
CJS-156
Criminal Law
A study of the concept of social order, examining criminal law. Crime is defined and examined as is criminal responsibility, mental state, physical act and other fundamental legal doctrines.

Course Outline
3.0
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IAI Life Science 
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IAI Life Science


4.0

Semester Totals

16.0
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Hours
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication 
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication
Focuses on the fundamental principles and methods of selecting, analyzing, organizing, developing and communicating information, evidence and points of view to audiences.

Course Outline
3.0
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IAI Physical Science 
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IAI Physical Science


3.0
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IAI Humanities 
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IAI Humanities


3.0
CJS-166
Corrections 
CJS-166
Corrections
Enables the student to develop an understanding of the current problems in correctional institutions. Sentencing trends, alternatives to incarceration, inmate life of population and their effects on the system will be examined.

Course Outline
3.0
CJS-160
Criminal Evidence and Procedure 
CJS-160
Criminal Evidence and Procedure
Focuses on the application of Constitutional law. Procedural responsibilities of the police as they apply to the constitutional rights of the individual will be emphasized.

Course Outline
3.0
CJS-200
Liability in Criminal Justice 
CJS-200
Liability in Criminal Justice
This course explores civil and criminal liability within the criminal justice system. Areas prone to liability are examined, and best practices that minimize those liabilities are discussed.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

18.0
Second Semester
CJS-158
Juvenile Justice 
CJS-158
Juvenile Justice
This course is designed to familiarize the student with development and trends in the juvenile justice system. It includes delinquency prevention, causation of juvenile crime and treatment and control of the juvenile delinquent.

Course Outline
3.0
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IAI Fine Arts 
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IAI Fine Arts


3.0
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IAI Social/Behavioral Science 
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IAI Social/Behavioral Science


3.0
--- ---
IAI Humanities 
--- ---
IAI Humanities


3.0
CJS-250
Criminology 
CJS-250
Criminology
This course analyzes criminological theories. Crime in relation to physical and psychological factors, to cultural areas, to the family and to other social institutions will be examined. Consideration is given to professional crime and white-collar crime.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

15.0

Total Program Hours

64.0