Get prepared to uphold the laws or prevent crime from occurring—now and in the future. With your Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice, you are guided by experienced faculty toward a clear pathway to graduation as you learn employable skills.
Your degree program uses an interactive lecture and discussion model. To ensure mastery of concepts, you do the day’s work before class and then interact with other students and the professor during class.
What can you do with an A.A. in Criminal Justice?
An A.A. in Criminal Justice ensures you’re prepared for a variety of bachelor’s programs—not just criminal justice. You can work in federal law enforcement, the courts and judicial process, and the corrections system.
Work with an Academic Success Advisor who recommends the best way to transfer.
Start right away with your associate degree in roles such as:
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice.
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
Maintain order in courts of law.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$34,694
Median
$53,859
Senior-Level
$125,313
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$16.68
Median
$25.89
Senior-Level
$60.24
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
45.8%
Certificate
20.84%
Associate Degree
33.35%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$43,525
Median
$61,905
Senior-Level
$104,447
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$20.92
Median
$29.76
Senior-Level
$50.21
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
Associate Degree
5.51%
Bachelor's Degree
68.66%
Master's Degree
25.83%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$60,605
Median
$112,260
Senior-Level
$220,643
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$29.14
Median
$53.97
Senior-Level
$106.07
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
8.93%
Certificate
6.72%
Some college
1.27%
Associate Degree
5.33%
Bachelor's Degree
63.38%
Master's Degree
14.38%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$60,853
Median
$80,776
Senior-Level
$110,074
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$29.25
Median
$38.83
Senior-Level
$52.92
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
92.43%
Associate Degree
7.57%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$60,034
Median
$109,013
Senior-Level
$127,177
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$28.86
Median
$52.41
Senior-Level
$61.14
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
39.01%
Certificate
10.12%
Some college
14.2%
Associate Degree
7.33%
Bachelor's Degree
29.33%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$60,232
Median
$96,940
Senior-Level
$173,505
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$28.96
Median
$46.60
Senior-Level
$83.41
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
32.48%
Certificate
19.72%
Some college
17.86%
Associate Degree
19.95%
Bachelor's Degree
10%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$59,417
Median
$93,144
Senior-Level
$144,752
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$28.56
Median
$44.77
Senior-Level
$69.59
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
4.55%
Some college
9.09%
Associate Degree
4.55%
Bachelor's Degree
68.18%
Master's Degree
13.64%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other
fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied,
as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
Criminal Justice at CLC
Get the bigger picture
An A.A. in Criminal Justice is just one possible way to study legal studies and public safety. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
The Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice is 60 total credit hours and takes an average of 2 years to complete. Develop your knowledge and skills in:
verbal and written communication skills
critical thinking
intrapersonal skills
interpersonal skills
computer software proficiency
Most of your courses are focused on general education requirements in this program. Compared to the Associate in Applied Science in criminal justice, the A.A. requires fewer criminal justice classes, so you graduate ready to transfer to a 4-year university in about the same time.
Make your decision to stay with the transfer A.A. or switch to the career A.A.S. degree by completion of your second semester.
CLC's criminal justice program reflects the larger ethnically diverse community of the college. College of Lake County is committed to ALL students. You are welcome here. Learn about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
You can complete your Criminal Justice degree 100% online or in person. Attend class in the way that works best for your learning style.
Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real-time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
