Whether your goal is to earn a degree or certificate in criminal justice, homeland security or forensic criminal investigation, explore current events or transfer to another institution, COD has a Criminal and Justice Studies program for you.
Justice studies courses are designed to help you develop excellent communication skills, gain an understanding of human behavior, and prepare you for careers in public service including law enforcement, law, corrections, emergency management, restorative practices, national security professions and more.
Determine Your Path
Learn career-ready skills in the state-of-the-art Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center which houses a mock courtroom, forensics lab, street scene and more.
You want to attend a college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:
- Dedicated instructors with years of academic and professional experience.
- Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities, equipment, and resources.
- Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
- Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention.
- A convenient and affordable 3+1 transfer program with Lewis University which enables students to complete their Associate in Arts (AA) degree and then take additional courses taught by Lewis professors at a lower tuition rate.
Watch a video to learn more about the Criminal and Justice Studies program.
Criminal Justice, A.A.S.
The Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare students for career entry or career advancement in criminal justice agencies. This program is particularly useful for those pursuing careers with local and state law enforcement agencies, and it can also prepare students for entry-level correctional and private security positions. The Criminal Justice degree requires 64 credits in program requirements, program electives, electives and general education in the courses listed below.
Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway, A.A.
What is a Transfer Pathway?
A transfer pathway represents a typical course schedule/sequence for a student planning to complete the A.A. degree within two years, then transfer and major in a specific discipline. A transfer pathway is not institution-specific.
It is important to understand that the pathway provided in the adjacent tab is just one possible combination of classes by which to complete an A.A. and prepare for transfer in your chosen area of study. Other course combinations and sequences can work, too. It is strongly recommended that students work directly and frequently with a COD academic counselor/advisor, a COD faculty advisor, and academic counselors/advisors at potential transfer schools, to develop and execute a plan that works best for them.
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The first step to getting started in criminal justice is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Criminal and Justice Studies program graduates will:
- Articulate the theories, philosophy, policies, practices, processes, and reforms of the major institutions of criminal justice.
- Explain how the major components of the criminal justice system (i.e., police, courts, corrections, and homeland security agencies) are inter-dependent, and how the political, legal, ethical, and socioeconomic environments in which they operate affect them as well as the implications of these relationships for victims, offenders, defendants, justice professionals, and society.
- Analyze the contemporary and major historical issues that the criminal justice system encounters, including events, policies, information, programs, and concepts that affect the operation of criminal justice agencies and actors, as well as issues that affect communities in respect to racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and gender diversity.
- Evaluate the nature, extent, causation, and prevention of crime, including the ability to apply and critique the major theories relevant to those causes.
- Apply the skills and methods in criminal justice research, including the acquisition, analysis, interpretation, dissemination, and policy implications of both quantitative and qualitative data, and, where appropriate, various skills and methods for conducting basic forensic investigations or crime analysis.
- Apply the theories, philosophy, and principles of substantive, procedural, and evidentiary criminal law that regulate and guide the criminal justice system and the individuals that work within and/or are affected by system.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate basic knowledge of information technology as applied to criminal justice research and practice.
- Understand the concepts of: multiculturalism; cultural differences in American society; the complexity of the relationship between the process of criminal justice and the multicultural society it is intended to serve; and the sociocultural challenges that impact criminal justice personnel and the criminal justice system
- Analyze contemporary geo-political issues, the global threat landscape, and how those factors influence U.S. homeland security policy and practice.
College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal and justice studies. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.
For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.
Articulation Agreements
College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.- DePaul University, AAS in Criminal Justice to BA in Criminology
- Elmhurst University, AA to BA in Criminal Justice
- Lewis University, AA to BA in Criminal Justice
- National Louis University, AA or AAS in Criminal Justice to BA in Criminal Justice
Transfer Guides
Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.- Governors State University, AAS in Criminal Justice to BA in Criminal Justice
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, AAS in Criminal Justice to BS Criminology & Criminal Justice
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, AAS in Criminal Justice to BS Public Safety Management
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, AAS in Criminal Justice to BS Public Safety Management
Career Information
Explore careers based on your interest, location and salary range or view top occupations by income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the Criminal and Justice Studies program.
Students who major in justice studies find themselves to be motivated to complete a task and curious to discover how things work. Students in this program aren't just communicators -- they enjoy working with a team, helping others and knowing that no two days will be a like.
Along with justice studies courses you'll need to earn the degree, students in this field are encouraged to take writing courses. Writing effective reports is a skill sought after by criminal justice agencies. The quality of a report can greatly affect the outcome of a case.
The Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) is a basic police officer training school. SLEA fulfills the 16-week basic police training required of all new police officers. The academy is only open to newly sworn police officers.
The Criminal and Justice Studies program is for students who want to enter the criminal justice field.
