The History of Criminal Justice in Illinois
Illinois was a tough state back in the Prohibition Era, especially the largest city in the state: Chicago. Chicago was home to some of the most famous names in criminal history, which included Al Capone and was also the place where the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre happened. Because of these factors Chicago also became known as one of the strongholds for police activity in the country, and created a criminal justice model that many states have followed since. To this day, Chicago still faces gang problems, albeit a different kind than Capone and the mobsters, and criminal justice professionals are still in demand.
Criminal Justice Education
The state of Illinois has about 86 schools to choose from that offer some kind of degree in criminal justice, so there are tons of options waiting for students that are interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree. The degrees offered at these schools are anything from certificates and associate’s degrees, to training programs, bachelor’s degrees and even beyond that. There are also many criminal justice scholarships and special programs, such as the Chicago Police Department scholarship, which will help pay a student’s tuition when pursuing a criminal justice degree.
The Future of Criminal Justice
Illinois still faces quite a few gang and violence problems, especially in the urban areas around Chicago and its suburbs. But, there are also criminal justice opportunities outside of Chicago, in the smaller cities and towns, and the farming communities, which dot the rest of the Illinois landscape. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois is among the top paying states for police officers ($66,000 a year) and corrections officers ($51,500 a year.) Detectives and other professionals also get paid very well in the state.
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Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its
seven colleges: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences,
Undergraduate Studies, The Art Institute of California and Western State College of Law as well as
certificate programs in many areas.
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American Intercontinental University (Hoffman Estates, IL)
Programs Offered:
AABA – Criminal Justice (online), Associate of Arts – Business Administration (Criminal Justice Administration concentration) (online), BS – Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement (online), BS – Criminal Justice – Special Populations (online), Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice (Forensic Science concentration) (online), Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement concentration) (online), Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice (Special Populations concentration) (online)
Argosy University (Chicago, IL / Schaumburg, IL)
Programs Offered:
BA Psych – Criminal Justice (online), Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (online), MA – Forensic Psychology – Assessment (online), MA – Forensic Psychology – Homeland Security (online), MA – Forensic Psychology – Law Enforcement (online), MA – Forensic Psychology – Treatment (online), MA – Forensic Psychology (online), MPA – Emergency Preparedness and Response (online), MPA – Homeland Security (online)
Aurora University (Aurora, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
Benedictine University (Lisle, IL / Naperville, IL / Springfield, IL)
Programs Offered:
BAM – Disaster Management (online), Certificate – Disaster Management(online), MPH – Disaster Management (online)
Black Hawk College (Moline, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Law Enforcement Technology, Associate of Science – Law Enforcement, Certificate – Law Enforcement, Certificate – Private Security
Blackburn College (Carlinville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
Brown Mackie College (Moline, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Criminal Justice, Diploma – Criminal Justice, Diploma – Paralegal Assistant
Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Criminal Justice
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College (Chicago, IL)
Programs 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)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice, Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Certificate – Criminal Justice/Public Police Service
City Colleges of Chicago-Truman College (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Criminal Justice
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal, Certificate – Criminal Justice
College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies, Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice,Certificate – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Homeland Security, Certificate – Paralegal Studies
College of Lake County (Grayslake, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies, Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Emergency and Disaster Management,Certificate – Paralegal Studies
Danville Area Community College (Danville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Science – Law Enforcement, Associate of Science – Parole Officer, Bachelor of Science – Law Enforcement 2+2 Program
DeVry University (Chicago, IL / Downers Grove, IL / Oakbrook Terrace, IL)
Programs Offered:
BBA in Security Management (online), BCIS in Computer Forensics(online), Bachelor of Technical Mgmt – Crim. Justice (online)
Elgin Community College (Elgin, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal, Certificate – Law Enforcement, Certificate – Public Safety Communications, Vocational Certificate – Nurse-Legal Consultant,Vocational Certificate – Paralegal
Ellis University (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal Studies (online), Bachelor of Arts – Paralegal Studies (online), Bachelor of Science – Behavioral Sciences – Criminal Justice (online), Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice (online),Certificate – Fraud Examination (online)
Eureka College (Eureka, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice/Sociology
Governors State University (University Park, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice, Master of Arts – Political and Justice Studies
Greenville College (Greenville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
Harper College (Palatine, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies, 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)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Corrections
Illinois Central College (East Peoria, IL)
Programs 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)
Programs Offered:
Associate Degree – Corrections Parole Officer, Associate Degree – Corrections/Youth Supervisor, Associate of Science – Administration of Justice, Associate of Science – Corrections-Parole Officer, Associate of Science – Corrections-Youth Supervisor, Associate of Science – Corrections, Associate of Science – Crime Scene Investigation, Bachelor of Arts – Corrections-Parole Officer, Bachelor of Arts – Corrections-Youth Supervisor
Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
Programs 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)
Programs 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)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice (online), Bachelor of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Applied Science – Criminal Justice (online)
John A Logan College (Carterville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Criminal Justice
Joliet Junior College (Joliet, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science – Law Enforcement, Certificate – Corrections, Certificate – Criminal Justice
Judson University (Elgin, IL)
Programs Offered:
Master of Arts – Organizational Leadership
Kankakee Community College (Kankakee, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Law Enforcement, Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies, Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
Kaplan University (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
AAS – Criminal Justice (online), AAS – Fire Science (online), AAS – Paralegal Studies (online), Advanced Start Bachelor of Science – Corrections (online), B.S. – Legal Studies (online), BS – Criminal Justice(online), BS – Fire Science (online), BS – Fire and Emergency Management (online), BS – Int’l & Comparative Criminal Justice (online),BS – Paralegal Studies (online), BSBA – Criminal Justice (online), BSCJ – Computer Crime (online), BSCJ – Corrections (online), BSCJ – Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) (online), BSCJ – Forensic Psychology (online),BSCJ – Homeland Security (online), BSCJ – Juvenile Justice (online),BSCJ – Law Enforcement (online), MPA – Criminal Justice (online), MS – Criminal Justice (online), MS – Fire and Emergency Services (online), MS – Homeland Security/Emergency Management (online), MS – Legal Studies(online), MSCJ – Corrections (online), MSCJ – Global Issues in Criminal Justice (online), MSCJ – Leadership and Executive Management (online),MSCJ – Policing (online), MSLS – Education and the Legal System(online), MSLS – Health Care Delivery (online), MSLS – Legal System and the Media (online), MSLS – State and Local Government (online), Post-Bacc Certificate – Paralegal (online)
Kaskaskia College (Centralia, IL)
Programs Offered:
Certificate – Criminal Justice
Kishwaukee College (Malta, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Corrections, Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
Lake Land College (Mattoon, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement
Lewis and Clark Community College (Godfrey, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal, Certificate of Proficiency – Criminal Justice, Certificate of Proficiency – Paralegal
Lewis University (Romeoville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Science – Forensic Investigations, Bachelor Degree – Criminal Justice (online), Bachelor of Arts – Paralegal Studies, Bachelor of Science – Criminal/Social Justice, Master of Science – Criminal/Social Justice,Masters Degree – Criminal Justice (online)
Lincoln College (Lincoln, IL)
Programs Offered:
AS – Criminal Justice (online), Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice,Associate of Science – Criminal Justice, BS – Criminal Justice and the Study of the Crimina (online)
Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice (online), Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice (online), Associate of Arts – Law Enforcement (online),Certificate of Achievement – Criminal Justice Studies (online), Certificate of Completion – Community Police Officer (online)
Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice, Master of Arts – Criminal Justice
MacCormac College (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Court Reporting, Associate of Applied Science – Court Reporting, Associate of Science – Paralegal Studies,Certificate – Legal Office Technology
MacMurray College (Jacksonville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Science – Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
McHenry County College (Crystal Lake, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice
Midstate College (Peoria, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Judicial Reporting, Bachelor of Science – Realtime Reporting – Judicial Reporting, Bachelor of Science – Realtime Reporting
Millikin University (Decatur, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Human Services
Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Security Services
Morton College (Cicero, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Law Enforcement Education, Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice
Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Justice Studies
Northwestern College (Bridgeview, IL / Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
AAS – Criminal Justice (online), Associate in Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal, Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Paralegal
Oakton Community College (Des Plaines, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Law Enforcement, Certificate – Law Enforcement
Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science – Chemistry – Forensics Concentration, Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
Parkland College (Champaign, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice Education
Prairie State College (Chicago Heights, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice
Prince Institute (Schaumburg, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate Degree – CART/Captioning (online), Associate Degree – Judicial Reporting (online), Associate Degree – Professional Transcription (online),Certificate – CART/Captioning, Certificate – CART/Captioning (online),Certificate – Judicial Reporting, Certificate – Judicial Reporting (online),Certificate – Scoping/Proofreading, Certificate – Scoping/Proofreading(online)
Quincy University (Quincy, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science – Forensic Science
Rasmussen College (Aurora, IL / Rockford, IL)
Programs Offered:
AAS – Criminal Justice (online), AS – Criminal Justice – Homeland Security(online), AS in CJ – Correction (online), AS in CJ – Law Enforcement(online), Associate Degree – Forensics (online), Associate of Arts – Accounting – Financial Investigations (Online) (online), BS – Criminal Justice (online), BS in CJ – Client Services (online), BS in CJ – Homeland Security (online)
Rend Lake College (Ina, IL)
Programs 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)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Associate of Applied Science – Public Police Requirements, Certificate – Criminal Justice
Richland Community College (Decatur, IL)
Programs 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
Robert Morris University (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies, Bachelor of Professional Studies – Law Office Administration
Rock Valley College (Rockford, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Criminal Justice
Rockford Career College (Rockford, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Information Technology – Network Security,Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal, Diploma – Legal Secretary
Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts – Paralegal, Bachelor of Professional Studies – Criminal Justice Leadership, Certificate – Paralegal,Diploma – Paralegal
Saint Xavier University (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor Degree – Criminal Justice
Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Corrections, Associate of Applied Science – Law Enforcement
Shawnee College (Ullin, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Administration of Justice Technology,Certificate – Computer Forensics and Investigations, Certificate – Criminal Justice Technology
South Suburban College (South Holland, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology,Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Associate of Applied Science – Court Reporting, Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology Basic, Certificate – Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology Machine Shorthand Secretarial,Certificate – Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology, Certificate – Court Reporting, Certificate – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Southeastern Illinois College (Harrisburg, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice, Certificate – Law Enforcement
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Carbondale, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Criminology, Bachelor of Arts – Paralegal Studies,Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science – Forensics
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies, Associate of Applied Science – Administration of Justice, Certificate – Administration of Justice
Sparks College (Shelbyville, IL)
Programs Offered:
Certificate – Court Reporting (online)
Springfield College in Illinois (Springfield, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Science – Forensics
Taylor Business Institute (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, IL)
Programs Offered:
M.A. – Applied Forensic Psychology Services (online), Psy. D – Forensic Psychology
Triton College (River Grove, IL)
Programs 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)
Programs 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)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
Waubonsee Community College (Sugar Grove, IL)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL)
Programs 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)
Programs Offered:
B.S. – Criminal Justice (online)
