Criminal Justice
Associate in Applied Science- Cost
- $11,273*
Become a criminal justice professional
Cape or no cape, you’re a hero: pursuing a career poised to serve society and guard our integrity. Start on the road to your future with an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice.
Your degree program uses an interactive lecture and discussion model. You do the day’s work before class and then interact with other students and the professor during class to ensure mastery of concepts. Become qualified for roles in the three areas of criminal justice:
- law enforcement
- courts
- corrections
What can you do with an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice?
You can help make the world safer with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Criminal Justice. This program grounds you in criminology, legal studies, corrections and policing, which opens various pathways to your pursuit of justice.
Start right away with your associate degree in roles such as:
- police officer
- deputy sheriff
- correctional officer
- loss-prevention supervisor
- private security supervisor
With additional education, you can become a:
- state's attorney
- defense attorney
- federal agent
Highlights
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WIOA Program
Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers. -
Credit for Prior Learning
Receive college credit for what you already know. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Career Degree
Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $52,249
- Median
- $103,631
- Senior-Level
- $219,337
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
- $25.12
- Median
- $49.81
- Senior-Level
- $105.44
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.
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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).
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Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $67,779
- Median
- $104,480
- Senior-Level
- $166,310
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
- $32.58
- Median
- $50.23
- Senior-Level
- $79.95
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.
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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).
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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.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $69,890
- Median
- $107,207
- Senior-Level
- $171,495
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
- $33.60
- Median
- $51.53
- Senior-Level
- $82.44
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.
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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).
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Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $90,366
- Median
- $139,884
- Senior-Level
- $157,851
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
- $43.44
- Median
- $67.25
- Senior-Level
- $75.89
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.
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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
- 36.57%
- Certificate
- 7.07%
- Some college
- 19.36%
- Associate Degree
- 18.51%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 15.14%
- Master's Degree
- 3.36%
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).
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Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $29,416
- Median
- $84,478
- Senior-Level
- $138,710
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
- $14.14
- Median
- $40.61
- Senior-Level
- $66.68
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
- 9.52%
- Certificate
- 4.76%
- Some college
- 9.52%
- Associate Degree
- 9.52%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 42.85%
- Master's Degree
- 19.04%
- Doctorate
- 4.76%
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).
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Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $52,249
- Median
- $103,631
- Senior-Level
- $219,337
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
- $25.12
- Median
- $49.81
- Senior-Level
- $105.44
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
- 13.64%
- Certificate
- 9.09%
- Some college
- 9.09%
- Associate Degree
- 9.09%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 59.1%
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).
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Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $58,283
- Median
- $93,459
- Senior-Level
- $110,623
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
- $28.01
- Median
- $44.93
- Senior-Level
- $53.18
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
- 40.4%
- Certificate
- 21.31%
- Some college
- 14.65%
- Associate Degree
- 17.09%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 6.56%
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).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.
Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.
Recommended Pathway
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. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
Criminal Justice at CLC
Get the bigger picture
An A.A.S. in criminal justice is just one possible way to study legal studies and public safety. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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The Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice is 62 total credit hours and takes an average of 2 years to complete. Develop expertise and career-building skills in:
- verbal and written communication skills
- project management
- intrapersonal skills
- interpersonal skills
- computer software proficiency
- supervision
Over half of your courses are focused on the criminal justice field (39 credit hours) in this program. Compared to the Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice, the A.A.S. requires fewer general education classes; so you graduate with more career-related course knowledge in about the same time.
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CLC's criminal justice program reflects the larger ethnically diverse community of the college. College of Lake County is committed to ALL students. Learn about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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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 by taking classes that are taught in a live virtual classroom via Zoom during scheduled times.
- 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.
*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
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