Criminal Justice

Ivy Tech Northeast's Criminal Justice program addresses the educational needs of those working in public and private agencies and facilities, including law enforcement, adult and juvenile correctional facilities, victim advocacy, protective services and other such human service agencies.

If you are looking for an opportunity for public service in a challenging job that involves personal responsibility, you may find success in the criminal justice field. Knowledge of sociology, psychology, government and law is helpful in preparing for this career.

Degree options in the field of Criminal Justice include an Associate of Applied Science with a Law Enforcement specialty, and an Associate of Science degree which transfers to IPFW's Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a major in Criminal Justice. Both of these degrees also transfer to Tri-State University.

Law Enforcement Specialty

Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana offers an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice with a specialty in Law Enforcement. Students who successfully complete the program will receive an associate of applied science degree from Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.

Local governments employ eighty percent of police and detectives. State police agencies employ about 13 percent. The remainder work for various federal agencies, schools, transit agencies, or private security services. Every law enforcement agency requires applicants to submit to background checks, which may include drug tests and polygraph examinations. New officers must go through a period of training at their agency's academy, regardless of their previous experience.

Honesty, sound judgement, integrity and physical fitness are personal characteristics especially important in law enforcement.

Regional Public Safety Academy

In Spring of 2008, the Criminal Justice Program (as well as the Paramedic and Public Safety programs) moved to the Regional Public Safety Academy, located in Southtown Center (formerly Southtown Mall). The address is:

Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana
7602 Patriot Crossing
Fort Wayne, IN 46816-2520

If you are interested in the Criminal Justice program, please contact John Grannan at (260) 439-8382 His office is in Room 2118 at the Public Safety Academy. Please do so before declaring a Criminal Justice major.