Illinois Criminal Justice Schools

  • 78 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Illinois are in our database. (see below)
  • 45 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 25 of them offer bachelor’s degrees and above, and 8 offer a mix of bachelor’s and master’s
  • We found 3 schools in Illinois ranked in US News and World Reports that have a criminal justice program; #79 University of Illinois Chicago–Chicago, IL, #85 Illinois State University–Normal, IL, and #94 Southern Illinois University Carbondale–Carbondale, IL
  • According to Kiplinger’s, Illinois has 2 universities ranked in the top 100 for “Values in Public Colleges”, #25 University of Illinois at Urban, Champaign, Champaign, IL; and #71 University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL
  • 10 campus-based and online schools in Illinois are available for requesting information.

Spotlight School

Liberty University
We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.

Programs:

  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • AA in Criminal Justice

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Profiles of Well Known Schools in Illinois

Illinois State University: Both undergraduate and graduate degrees can be obtained at Illinois State University’s Department of Criminal Justice Sciences. Criminal justice majors can earn either a BA or a BS and take courses that range in subject area from Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation to Family Violence: Cross Cultural Perspectives. Master students can also choose between the science or arts degrees and all participate in the yearly Graduate Research Symposium in which they exhibit their current and/or completed research projects. The department has recruited top rated faculty, a great portion of which have research emphases in sentencing reforms, policing, domestic violence, and comparative criminal justice systems. Undergraduates have the option of enrolling in the Honor’s Program, which involves writing and defending a thesis.

University of Illinois at Chicago: Students can pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees within the Department of Criminology, Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy programs are research intensive routes that involve seminar and thesis/dissertation courses while the Bachelor of Arts introduces students to the foundations of the law, corrections and law enforcement fields. Enrolled individuals often gain insightful experience by interning for agencies such as the Illinois State Police, Office of the State’s Attorney and the Illinois Department of Corrections. Faculty conduct groundbreaking research in the subjects of violence in corrections, domestic violence, gender and rugs, and probation.

American InterContinental University (Online) This school has a full online campus that offers and Associate of Science in Criminal Justice (ASCJ), as well as a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ). The BSCJ comes with five distinct specializations from which to choose: Generalist, Law Enforcement, Corrections and Case Management, Forensic Science, and Homeland Security and Crisis Management. Though the ASCJ and BSCJ differ in time commitment and structure, but both require students to complete the core courses: Foundations of Criminal Justice Systems, Theories of Crime Causation, Introduction to Criminal Law, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Introduction to American Court Systems, and Foundations of Corrections. The Homeland Security and Crisis Management Specialization program is acknowledged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the Emergency Management Higher Education Program.

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Illinois Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers 11,250 $54,130
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 5,330 $96,300
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 2,820 $85,300
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers 29,510 $65,750

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Illinois Criminal Justice Degrees

A criminal justice degree is often a requirement for many government positions in Illinois’ criminal justice system. If you are interested in pursuing a career within criminal justice, a degree can improve your chances of successfully getting hired. Whether you are most interested in fighting crime in the field or in the lab, there are several specific programs that will best prepare you for your desired profession.

The state of Illinois has a unique relationship to the criminal justice industry. Illinois has generated one of America’s most famous lawmen, Elliott Ness, as well as two of its most famous criminals, Al Capone and John Dillinger. It is also home to one of the country’s most notorious prisons, the Federal Penitentiary at Marion and the busiest airport in the world, Chicago-O’Hare, which requires a great deal of law enforcement for its day-to-day operations.

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The training received in a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is adequate to waive the experience requirement for a Transportation Security Inspector position with the TSA in the state. A four year degree is required for entrance into a correctional officer position at a GL-05 level. Officers in the Chicago Police Department earn $60,918 1 after one year of service, but must have at least 60 hours of college credit (or equivalent experience) for consideration for entry into the department. The city of Peoria hires officers who have completed the Academy and strongly prefers applicants with either an associate’s or classwork for a bachelor’s degree. The Illinois Department of Corrections will add 18 screening points to an application from an individual who has completed a bachelor’s degree. Those points can be used to increase the likelihood of being hired as a correctional officer, with a starting salary of $42,432.2 The average annual salary of police and patrol officers in Illinois is $66,680.3

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Respected leaders who have graduated from universities in Illinois

  • Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau – Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
  • Cook County Sheriff Tim Dart – Loyola University Chicago, IL
  • Dupage County Sheriff John Zaruba – Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
  • Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupus – Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Police Quote: “Have a passion for your job and the people you serve. Use every call and contact to make a positive difference. Treat everyone the way you would like to have your family or friends treated. Building trust internally and externally is the key to policing. Trust takes a long time to build but only seconds to destroy. Your integrity is the only thing YOU can lose. No one can take it from you. You have to give it up.” -Frank Kaminski, Chief of Police of the Park Ridge Police Department and 4th Vice President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

Illinois’ Criminal Justice Employment Outlook 4, 5, 6, 7

At the start of 2012, Illinois’ unemployment was at 9.8%, nearly 1.5 points above national average. Illinois employment will not regain it’s pre-Downturn peak until early 2015 but will be growing steadily to get there. While the Downturn had been a shallower impact on the government sector, cost cutting will put a crimp on hiring through 2014. On the Illinois Labor Market Information site with annual open projections gathered from the Occupational Supply Demand System, high demand criminal justice occupations in Illinois include: Police and Sheriff Patrol (1,130 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions reported having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Correctional Officers (340 annual openings / 60% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Detectives / Investigators / Forensic Techs (80 annual openings), Security Guards (1,500 annual openings) and Paralegals (330 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree). According to Sunshine report, the Illinois state budget situation is among the worst of any state, and that is partially due to the strength of unions fighting cuts. Still with growing volume of retirements and its sheer size, Illinois will provide an abundance of criminal justice jobs. We suggest requesting free information from several Illinois criminal schools to best understand your education options.

Online and Illinois Criminal Justice Schools

If you live in Illinois, we recommend the following accredited campus-based and online criminal justice programs for students interested in pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the growing field of criminal justice.

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University of Phoenix
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S in Criminal Justice Administration/Cybercrimes
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services

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Baker College Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Criminal Justice

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Capella University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • MS - Criminal Justice
  • PhD - Criminal Justice
  • BS - Criminal Justice

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Keiser University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Criminal Justice, BA
  • Criminal Justice, MA (Online Only)
  • Homeland Security, BA (Online)

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Walden University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • B.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice 
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

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Post University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

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Kaplan University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • MS in Criminal Justice - Law
  • MS in Criminal Justice
  • BS in Criminal Justice

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Grand Canyon University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • M.S. in Criminal Justice: Legal Studies
  • B.S. in Justice Studies
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement

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Liberty University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • AA in Criminal Justice

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Colorado Technical University Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Human Services
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice


Tip: If you don’t live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky).

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Student Review: “The University of Phoenix is a great school which has convenient educational options for all kinds of people. I find it especially convenient because I can live,socialize, and work while going to school and this is important to me as a young woman. I really do like that we have one of the best looking online learning formats in which to do our work. There are many resources available for online students including the University library, writing guides,and even our own social forum- Phoenix Connect. Some of my instructors were also highly educated and qualified. The Learning Team experience online is a great way to learn more about one’s subject and interact with classmates. Collaborating on assignments can be tricky sometimes, but in the end many great academic works can be produced. The Live Chat options help us to collaborate on team members that may be living throughout the U.S. in different time zones. The Online experience at Phoenix is also a good way to develop professional networks and even life long friends. The only real downside to a Phoenix education is that it is a little expensive, but they do offer a load of scholarships and military individuals can get lower tuition. Currently I have my Associates in Human Services Management and working on my Bachelor’s.” – Asia A., student at University of Phoenix

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Directory of Illinois Universities Offering Criminal Justice Degrees

American Intercontinental University (Hoffman Estates, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Business Administration (Criminal Justice Administration concentration) (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (Forensic Science concentration) (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement concentration) (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (Special Populations concentration) (online program)

Aurora University (Aurora, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Benedictine University (Lisle, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Certificate | Criminal Justice (online program)

Black Hawk College (Moline, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement Technology
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Private Security

Blackburn College (Carlinville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Brown Mackie College (Moline, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice
Diploma | Criminal Justice

Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Basic Police Services

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice

City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Criminal Justice/Public Police Service

City Colleges of Chicago-Truman College (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Homeland Security

Student Review: “The College of Dupage is so much more than a community college. I have been taking classes there for 2 years in order to take care of some of my pre-requisites for a research university. The course offerings are immense for a community school. You can take anything from high school algebra to rock climbing. They offer a lot for a person of any age whether they are looking to further their resume or further their mind. I have found the staff extremely helpful and willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get what you need. I wish this was a four year university because it would be a fantastic one. The location is also great if you live in the Chicago suburbs as you can reach it from mostly anywhere in quick time. I would also like to commend them on their large portfolio of online classes that suit people who cannot always drive to class.” -Grant K., student at The College of Dupage

College of Lake County (Grayslake, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Emergency and Disaster Management

Danville Area Community College (Danville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Associate of Science | Parole Officer
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement 2+2 Program

DeVry University (Downers Grove, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Elgin Community College (Elgin, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Public Safety Communications
Vocational Certificate | Nurse-Legal Consultant

Ellis University (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Behavioral Sciences | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Certificate | Fraud Examination (online program)

Eureka College (Eureka, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice/Sociology

Governors State University (University Park, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Master of Arts | Political and Justice Studies

Greenville College (Greenville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Harper College (Palatine, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Emergency Management
Associate of Applied Science | Forensic Science
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Emergency Management
Certificate | Forensic Science
Certificate | Public Safety Dispatcher

Heartland Community College (Normal, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Corrections

Illinois Central College (East Peoria, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts and Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Crime Scene Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Industrial and Business Security
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
In-Service Training | Central Illinois Police Training Center

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (Mount Carmel, IL; Olney, IL; Robinson, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Corrections Parole Officer
Associate Degree | Corrections/Youth Supervisor
Associate of Science | Administration of Justice
Associate of Science | Corrections
Associate of Science | Corrections-Parole Officer
Associate of Science | Corrections-Youth Supervisor
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor of Arts | Corrections-Parole Officer
Bachelor of Arts | Corrections-Youth Supervisor

Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science | Political Science | Leadership and Social Justice
Master of Arts/Master of Science | Criminal Justice

Illinois Valley Community College (Oglesby, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Forensic Investigations

ITT Technical Institute (Burr Ridge, IL; Mount Prospect, IL; Orland Park, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online program)

John A Logan College (Carterville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Joliet Junior College (Joliet, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Corrections
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Judson University (Elgin, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Master of Arts | Organizational Leadership

Kankakee Community College (Kankakee, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice

Kaplan University (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Corrections (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Legal Studies
Certificate | Criminal Justice (online program)
Certificate | Forensics (online program)
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Masters Degree | Policing (online program)

Kaskaskia College (Centralia, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Kishwaukee College (Malta, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Corrections
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice

Lake Land College (Mattoon, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

Lewis and Clark Community College (Godfrey, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate of Proficiency | Criminal Justice

Lewis University (Romeoville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Forensic Investigations
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal/Social Justice
Master of Science | Criminal/Social Justice
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Student Review: “The criminal justice program at Lewis University is the best place I could have hoped for in studying private security. With private security being such a fast-growing field, I found that Lewis’s program is helping me prepare to be top-notch in the field. The classes involved in my curriculum are never too hard or boring. Most professors in the criminal justice program are retired police officers, heads of security, lawyers, and fire chiefs, making class lectures consist of many real-life stories. Even before I got my degree, they were helping me find internships and career paths to help me get my foot in the door. There is truly nothing I would wish to change about this program.” -Lindsay S., student at Lewis University

Lincoln College (Lincoln, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Law Enforcement (online program)
Certificate of Achievement | Criminal Justice Studies (online program)
Certificate of Completion | Community Police Officer (online program)

Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Arts | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “Loyola University of Chicago is a school with a pretty big campus. The class sizes are small to average, giving professors more time to work with individual students. Loyola’s focus on science programs, especially its focus on biology and pre-medical students, is what draws a large number of ambitious students to the university. However, that is not to say other subjects are neglected by Loyola. I studied psychology during my time there and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. I was able to intern at a hospital for a whole semester as part of my curriculum. On top of that, Loyola has many study abroad programs in Rome, China and Vietnam for students looking to expand their horizons. The biggest problem I have at Loyola is the tuition, which can be over thirty thousand dollars a year without financial aid or scholarships. Most students do receive some kind of scholarship or financial aid, however, which makes a Loyola education much more possible.” -Duc L., student at Loyola University

MacMurray College (Jacksonville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

McHenry County College (Crystal Lake, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Midstate College (Peoria, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Judicial Reporting
Bachelor of Science | Realtime Reporting
Bachelor of Science | Realtime Reporting | Judicial Reporting

Millikin University (Decatur, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Human Services

Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Security Services

Morton College (Cicero, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Law Enforcement Education
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice

Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Justice Studies

North Park University (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “As a whole I really have not enjoyed being a student at North Park University. However, I have found my savior in the criminal justice department. Shortly after coming here I switched my major from business to criminal justice and I have found that to be the best decision that I have ever made. The criminal justice professors here at North Park have so many connections in this field of study which offers a unique way for them to teach. The six major classes that I have completed or are currently taken feature many guest speakers coming in and telling us what they do in the field of criminal justice and give us as students a great overview of the system. The professors here care about getting us jobs and are very active in helping us find internships in the fields that we find interesting. The coursework isn’t necessarily easy, but it is engaging which makes it fun to do. Overall I rate North Park at 1, but I give the criminal justice program a 5 and I thank this department for giving me some of the best experiences of my life.” -Nick S., student at North Park University
Student Review: “At North Park University, the Criminal Justice program is filled with diversity. Professors come from a variety of criminal justice backgrounds including law enforcement, law (i.e. attorneys), social work, and juvenile work. The program as a whole is a mix of sociological studies, government studies, and law studies. This format covers all field of the justice system, allowing for a multi-faceted learning environment which is helpful for those seeking any occupation in the justice field. There were a variety of guest speakers which came in to speak to classes. Additionally, there were several field trips to law enforcement facilities. Much of this is possible because of access to the city of Chicago, which is home to a variety of well known law enforcement agencies. There were several classes which had poor professors who were not qualified to teach in the field, but the positive experiences and amount of networking possible outweigh poor professors. Having criminal justice professionals as professors allows the student to get in contact with a multitude of justice professionals and organizations.” -Luke K., student at North Park University

Northwestern College (Bridgeview, IL; Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Oakton Community College (Des Plaines, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Law Enforcement

Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Chemistry | Forensics Concentration
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “The program here at Olivet Nazarene University has been great for me as a student and military member aspiring to work in law enforcement. I found that most all of my professors and evaluators were friendly, sociable, and easy to approach. I found that most courses were fair in evaluation, and professors worked with students on topics that they’d have most difficulty with. We have tight integration with the local police department, and even other law enforcement agencies, leading to cool opportunities like police car ride-alongs, field trips, hands-on forensic analysis, and even some time with weapons and ballistics at a weapons range. I feel that some of the classes could be combined/focused better instead of feeling like all the content in each class was dragged out over a longer period. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the experience and feel when I graduate I will be properly equipped for the real world.” -Jordan W., student at Olivet Nazarene University

Parkland College (Champaign, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice Education

Prairie State College (Chicago Heights, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice

Quincy University (Quincy, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Forensic Science

Rasmussen College (Aurora, IL; Rockford, IL; Romeoville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Corrections (online program)
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate Degree | Forensics (online program)
Associate Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Arts | Accounting | Financial Investigations (Online) (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice | Corrections (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice | Crime Scene Evidence (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice | Law Enforcement (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Corrections (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)

Rend Lake College (Ina, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Occupational Certificate | Criminal Justice | Corrections
Occupational Certificate | Criminal Justice | Police Science
Occupational Certificate | Criminal Justice | Private Protection

Richard J. Daley College (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Public Police Requirements
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Richland Community College (Decatur, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Corrections
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Correctional Officer
Certificate | Emergency Telecommunications
Certificate | Patrol Officer
Certificate | Probation and Parole Officer

Rock Valley College (Rockford, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Rockford Career College (Rockford, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Information Technology | Network Security

Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Professional Studies | Criminal Justice Leadership

Saint Xavier University (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice

Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Corrections
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement

Shawnee College (Ullin, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Administration of Justice Technology
Certificate | Computer Forensics and Investigations
Certificate | Criminal Justice Technology

South Suburban College (South Holland, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Southeastern Illinois College (Harrisburg, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Law Enforcement

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Carbondale, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminology
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Forensics

Student Review: “SIUC, located in the small town of Carbondale in Southern Illinois used to be a fairly reputable school. However, in recent years, the school’s quality has decreased significantly. A great deal of money is invested in athletics, while classrooms are neglected. Ceilings leak and classes of 40-50 students are shoved into rooms fit for 20 students max. In addition, the school accepts pretty much anyone that applies since attendance rates keep dropping. This has resulted in professors having to lower the bar quite significantly so that all students have a chance of passing their classes. In one economics course, the instructor had to explain the difference between a rectangle and a square. This is not a joke. The only redeeming factor of SIU is that if you are outdoorsy (especially if you’re a fan of rock climbing), the area offers a number of great options for exploring.” -Elizabeth O., student at Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Administration of Justice
Certificate | Administration of Justice

Springfield College in Illinois (Springfield, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Forensics

Taylor Business Institute (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Masters Degree | Forensics (online program)
Psy. D | Forensic Psychology

Triton College (River Grove, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Administration
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice Administration
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Administration

University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminology, Law, and Justice
Doctor of Philosophy | Criminology, Law, and Justice
Master of Arts | Criminology, Law, and Justice

Student Review: “The University of Illinois at Chicago is a great school depending on your interests. It’s location gives you great access to the city of Chicago, which is perhaps its best feature, besides its lower cost. My experience within the college of Art and Architecture was very positive, though I’m not sure if I would have been as happy at the university if I had a different major, judging by some of the courses that I took outside of the School of Architecture. Within the School of Architecture however, I had a great experience working with an outstanding and motivated faculty, and a great curriculum. The university has many resources, some great faculty, and many events, though students have to really go out of their way to be involved and active. With such a large student body, one has to make the effort to really stand out and access the many resources that the university has to offer.” -Deirdre M., student at University of Illinois – Chicago
Student Review: “The University of Illinois at Chicago was a decent school for undergraduate education. Being from the Chicago area, I wanted to stick around and witness big city life first hand, which is a great feature of UIC, right on the outskirts of downtown and near a few developing, hip neighborhoods. The academic program was good for the price (~ $10,000 per year) though there certainly were areas where it was lacking. The University’s infrastructure was crumbling (voted ugliest campus in USA) and the administration was sketchy and clearly embroiled in some kind of dirt. The English program boasted strong professors and smaller class sizes where students were able to interact directly with the professors, which is always a plus. Probably a better choice for students from the Chicago-land area who cannot afford a better school or who are struggling academically to matriculate to a more rigorous institution.” -Jake N., student of University of Illinois – Chicago

University of Illinois-Springfield (Springfield, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Waubonsee Community College (Sugar Grove, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “Waubonsee Community College is ideal for saving money while still earning College Credit. Waubonsee offers a wide range of “gen eds” at a reasonable price, especially compared to other four year schools. Most of the Sugar Grove campus is recently developed bar a few older buildings. The school also offers a decent amount of online courses to save you the commute. However, given this is a community college you will not receive the grade of education compared to a private school. An example of this would be introduction to programming. Waubonsee teaches you a dead, 20 year old programming language. A more expensive school teach you relevant information with industry professionals. These are aspects that you must take or leave. Sometime the savings weigh out the negatives. Make sure to sign up for courses early though, they fill up fast!” -Daniel D., student at Waubonsee Community College

Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Emergency Management
Bachelor of Science | Forensic Chemistry
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

Student Review: “I decided to go to this school mainly for their amazing law enforcement program. This is what this school is mainly known for. They have over 71 undergrad majors 13 pre-professional degrees. I love the campus, they have a very nice bus system and the resident hall that I was staying was just redone. It was very clean and furnished. The only problem I had was the ac/heat control, it was at times too hot or too cold. You could not control it at your will. There are many activities on campus that you can get involved in, I personally worked security for on campus activities which helped me gain experience with my degree. The campus is very safe they have their own Police Department and the officers are very nice and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed my stay at this school and I would recommend anyone to come here.” -Aleksander Z., student at Western Illinois University

Westwood College (Calumet City, IL; Chicago, IL; Woodridge, IL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)

References:
(1) Chicago Police: http://www.chicagopolice.org/answerthecall/benefits.html
(2) Illinois Department of Corrections: http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/jobopp/page5.shtml
(3) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_IL.htm
(4) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/lau/ see state on page for current unemployment rate
(5) USA TODAY/Moody’s Analytics/BLS: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-06-new-jobs-growth-graphic_N.htm
(6) Occupational Supply & Demand System / OCDS Georgia State University for the U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.occsupplydemand.org/OSD_SelectOcc.aspx?chk=2&ST=ZZ
(7) The Sunshine Review: http://sunshinereview.org/core/home (select state budget button)

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.