Criminal Justice Degree Schools » Criminal Justice Schools » Illinois Criminal Justice Degree Schools

Illinois Criminal Justice Degree Schools

An Illinois 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 significantly improve your chances of getting hired and will prepare you for success. 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.

>>**NEW** Find Campus-Based Criminal Justice Schools in Illinois
>>Find Online Criminal Justice Schools

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.

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. Read More +

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

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.

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.

>>**NEW** – See All Campus-Based Criminal Justice Schools in Illinois

Online Criminal Justice Degrees, Schools, Certificates and Programs

request information

Kaplan University
Popular Degrees:

  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Crime Scene Investigation
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Computer Crime

request information

Everest University Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Associate's in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
  • Associate's in Homeland Security
  • Bachelor's in Homeland Security
  • Associate's in Criminal Investigations

request information

Keiser University

    Popular Degrees:
  • Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Arts in Homeland Security
  • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security
  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Safety

request information

Post University
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies
  • Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management for Registered Nurse
  • Forensic Accounting Certificate

request information

Virginia College
Popular Degrees:

  • Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science - Cybersecurity

request information

Rasmussen College
Popular Degrees:

  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
  • Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
  • Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Psychology

request information

Strayer University
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Information Systems - Homeland Security and Information Systems
  • Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Bachelor of Business Administration - Legal Studies

request information

University of Phoenix
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
  • Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security
  • Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security Management
  • Master of Public Administration

request information

Walden University
Popular Degrees:

  • Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
  • Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Homeland Security Policy
  • M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Information Systems and Security
  • M.S. in Forensic Psychology - Psychology & Legal Systems
  • Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Administration
  • B.S. in Psychology - Criminal Justice
  • PhD in Public Policy/Admin - Terrorism/Mediation/Peace

request information

Test Drive College Online
If you are thinking about online college but you’re not sure if it's for you, you should apply for Test Drive College Online. It is the only program that provides students with the opportunity to "try" online learning by taking a real college course online at no cost or obligation. Plus, the credits you earn may save you up to $2000 in tuition when you apply them toward a full degree. Get Started!


Criminal Justice Schools in Illinois

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)