Build Your Future In Criminal Justice
General Information
Become a Representative of the Law
Criminal justice is the system in which crimes and criminals are detected, detained, tried and punished. People who study criminal justice actually learn about all the different components and inner workings of the system.
Three main components make up the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts and corrections. They work together to prevent and punish deviant behavior.
Areas of study offered
Transfer Degree
An Criminal Justice degree opens doors to diverse and rewarding career paths!
A variety of careers are open to students who graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice including: Probation Officer, DEA Agent, Secret Service Agent, and many more options.
Curriculum
Students who plan to earn an Associate in Arts degree and then transfer to a four-year college or university to major in Criminal Justice should follow the steps listed below. It is strongly recommended that you confer with a SWIC academic advisor prior to enrolling each semester and familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the four-year institution where you plan to transfer.
Fulfill the General Education and other institutional requirements for the Associate in Arts degree listed in the front of this section. General Education course preferences may vary by transfer institution. For students who do not know where they plan to transfer, the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) Criminal Justice Major Panel recommends the following general education courses for this major:
| Course Number | Course Description | Credits |
| SOC 153 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | General Psychology | 3 |
As you fulfill your degree requirements, it is strongly recommended by the IAI Criminal Justice Major Panel that you take the following classes:
| Course Number | Course Description | Credits |
| AOJ 100 | Intro to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| AOJ 103 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| AOJ 153 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| AOJ 160 | Criminology | 3 |
The additional courses recommended below may be applicable toward a baccalaureate Criminal Justice major. Please keep in mind that most transfer institutions limit the number of semester credits taken within a student’s major field of study at the community college level. To ensure the acceptance of such courses toward your intended major, check with the four-year institution where you are transferring or a SWIC academic advisor regarding their applicability
| Course Number | Course Description | Credits |
| SOC 203 | Social Problems | 3 |
Earn at least 64 transferable credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 to graduate from SWIC. Many transfer institutions require a higher GPA for admission to the institution and/or specific majors.
OTHER HELPFUL PROGRAM LINKS
Associate in Arts
degree requirements
Fulfill all other Associate in Arts degree requirements listed in the printed or Online College Catalog.
Apply for
graduation
Apply for graduation by the date published in the College Calendar.
GET STARTED
Program Coordinator
For more Information about Criminal Justice please contact
Eric Danford at 618-235-2700, ext. 5265 or eric.danford@swic.edu
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Administration of Justice
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