Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Associate Degree Program In Chicago
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE
Earning your Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice through Generations College is a smart move that can position you for a long and successful future working in a number of exciting careers. When you are looking at criminal justice colleges in Chicago, you have options. That’s why it is important to fully understand what any program you are considering encompasses and what your potential future career options would be as a graduate of the program.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
When you enroll in Generations College’s accredited Criminal Justice programs in Chicago, you will be joining other motivated students who want to learn about criminal justice and the law. You can complete your associates in criminal justice in just two years with our in-person or online programs. By the time you earn your degree, we expect that you will be able to:
- Understand how constitutional law, criminal law and procedural law applies to the criminal justice system.
- Apply forensic methods to analyze evidence, seeking to determine its significance, origin and relevance.
- Demonstrate your knowledge and competence in a variety of subjects, including criminal justice administration, criminal justice theory and its practical applications, policy formation, and the infrastructure that makes up our criminal justice system.
- Know how to identify and address potential ethical pitfalls that can arise in criminal justice scenarios.
- Understand how corrections, parole and probation are interrelated, and be able to comprehend and articulate societal goals for the criminal justice framework in this country.
To learn more about the accredited Criminal Justice program, including general education and required major program components, view the program outline here.
In general, you can expect to learn about forensics, corrections, police procedures, criminology and more.
For community college students who require a more flexible schedule, we offer an online Criminal Justice degree program. Whether you want to study on-campus or online, you can count on a high-quality, hands-on learning experience through Generations College.
ONLINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
Our online Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree program provides a flexible and convenient option for students seeking a career in criminal justice. Accredited since 2018, our online program offers the same high-quality education as our in-person classes, allowing you to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments. Benefit from interactive coursework, experienced faculty, and the ability to complete your degree in just two years from anywhere. Explore a comprehensive curriculum that covers key areas of criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections and legal studies, preparing you for various roles in the field.
WHY CONSIDER A GENERATIONS COLLEGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATE DEGREE?
In our two-year accredited Criminal Justice programs, students cover a broad and engaging curriculum, and will gain hands-on knowledge about crime, the law and the U.S. criminal justice framework. Our instructors have real-world experience in the subjects they teach, so you can be confident you’re learning the information you’ll need to give you a solid start in your new career.
Many of Generations College’s college alumni choose to continue their education by earning bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges and universities. If you want to work in the criminal justice field, chances are your employer will require some college education as a condition of employment. Earning your Criminal Justice associate degree through Generations College satisfies that requirement while providing you with practical, useful information. Put simply, Generations College is one of the top criminal justice colleges in Chicago. Employers know and trust our Criminal Justice program.
WHAT JOBS CAN YOU GET WITH A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE?
- Corrections officer
- Police officer
- Detention officer
- Emergency response/dispatch
- Security officer
- Private investigator
- Probation officer
- Security guard
- Fraud investigator
When you graduate with an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Generations College, you will have a range of job opportunities available to you. Many people who pursue criminal justice majors choose to work in law enforcement as police officers, serving a vital role in helping prevent crime.
Others choose to work as private investigators, probation officers, security guards, corrections officers in our nation’s prison system, fraud investigators and related jobs. Still, other students decide to continue their education by pursuing additional degrees. Whatever career path you decide to take, you can be confident that Generations College has provided you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
FAVORABLE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK AND ATTRACTIVE SALARIES
At Generations College, we believe it is important to earn your academic degree. However, we also know, to be most effective, your education should not be limited to classroom lectures. That’s why we include internship opportunities in our Criminal Justice major program. Through the hands-on learning gained as interns, our students are exposed to real-life situations and experiences, and have opportunities to apply what they’ve learned.
Of course, potential future compensation is an important consideration when choosing a criminal justice college degree program. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean salary for police officers and detectives in Illinois was $106,510, above the national median pay in 2022 of $91,610/year.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE PROGRAM GOALS
At Generations College, we believe it is important to earn your academic degree. However, we also know, to be most effective, your education should not be limited to classroom lectures. That’s why we combine our Criminal Justice college courses with internship opportunities. Through the hands-on learning gained as interns, our students are exposed to real-life situations and experiences, and have opportunities to apply what they’ve learned.
Our goals are to:
- Admit, retain and educate students who are ready and committed to take a rigorous but rewarding journey to become criminal justice professionals.
- Continuously monitor, recruit, select and retain faculty members who embrace a student-centered approach to teaching and who are committed to providing the hands-on, skills-based education we believe every Criminal Justice associate degree program candidate deserves.
- Encourage our student body to participate in internships, externships, networking events and volunteer opportunities both on campus and in the greater Chicago area.
- Regularly review our Criminal Justice program curriculum and adjust as needed to ensure it reflects the latest changes in the criminal justice system. This helps ensure our students are as prepared as they can be to successfully enter the job market and participate fully in their post-graduation careers.
WHERE ARE GENERATIONS COLLEGE GRADUATES TODAY?
Generations College graduates are highly sought after. Many of our college of Criminal Justice graduates are successfully employed in criminal justice jobs in the Chicago area, greater Illinois and across the country. We also understand that many students who earn Criminal Justice degrees through Generations College want to continue their educations — and earn bachelor’s degrees and sometimes master’s degrees.
We have established articulation agreements with many well-known four-year institutions in the greater Chicago area including DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Columbia College and many more. See the full list here.
In some cases, students can pursue advanced degrees through dual enrollment programs. In other cases, they can transfer their Generations College credits to the new institution.
Whatever you choose to do after graduation, one thing is certain: When you choose Generations College to earn your degree, you will get a degree that Chicago-area employers and four-year colleges recognize and respect.
Generations College seeks to provide every Criminal Justice major student with the information, tools and resources necessary to help them obtain employment in the criminal justice field, which may include associate’s degrees in law enforcement, corrections, private security, juvenile justice, probation and parole.
We know that our programs are only as good as our students. We aim to be recognized for our outstanding graduates — graduates who feel they learned the skills needed to be successful in their chosen careers.
ACCREDITATION
Generations College is proud to be fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offer one of the top accredited Criminal Justice programs in the country.
Ready to take the next step towards earning a criminal justice degree in Chicago? Apply now to start your journey at Generations College. Or, schedule a visit to experience our campus and learn more about the benefits of earning a Criminal Justice degree.
