Ivy Tech School of Public Affairs & Social Services
Criminal Justice
Work towards justice
What You'll Learn
Make a tangible impact on your community by studying and working in criminal justice. In the Ivy Tech Criminal Justice program, students can focus on the area of study that most aligns with their goals:
Law enforcement
Corrections/probation
Court services
Public, private & business security
Forensics and Cyber Security and Investigations
Youth Services
Within the program, you can expect to do the following in classes:
Draw upon academic journals and scholarly research to support your own work.
Learn to think critically about complex social and legal issues.
Gain an understanding of the history of criminal justice, law, and the three components of the system (policing, courts, and corrections).
Study ethical standards in criminal justice and how they have evolved over time.
Explore the theoretical frameworks used to explain criminal behavior and the function of the justice system.
Analyze how political and social contexts can impact definitions of crime and the development and application of the law.
Define crime and identify issues in its measurement.
Look at current criminal justice policies meant to reduce crime and punish and rehabilitate offenders.
Law Enforcement focused students will learn how to provide assistance, respond to emergency calls, investigate crime scenes, and testify in court.
Corrections/Probation focused students will learn about correctional policies and practices, criminal sentencing, jails, prisons, alternative sentencing, prisoner rights, rehabilitation, and community corrections including probation and parole.
Court Services focused students will gain skills in community relations, procedural law, court processes, and cultural awareness, as well as criminal law.
Public, Private & Business Security and Forensics/Cyber focused students will conduct risk/threat assessments, emergency management plans, and security survey reports. They'll also design security, crime, and loss prevention programs for businesses.
Career Options
Criminal justice careers span many roles, so whether you want to be an advocate for victims of domestic violence or work in your local police department, there are options for you.
The Ivy Tech Criminal Justice program provides the academic foundation you need to continue your studies or pursue a career, depending on which program you choose.
Think this could be the path for you? Picture yourself in one of the following roles:
Law Enforcement
Court Reporter
Court Clerk
Bailiff
Defense Attorney
Prosecutor
Judge
Magistrate
Public Defender
Criminalist
Forensic Technician, Scientist, or Specialist
Corrections Officer
Probation Officer
Local Police Officer
Sheriff/Deputy
Substance Abuse Counselor
911 Dispatcher
Indiana State Police
Conservation Officer
Homeland Security
Prosecutor
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
Private Investigator
Case Manager
Group Counselor
Warden
Jail Administrator or Chaplain Assistant
Youth Services Worker
Child Advocate
Victims Advocate
Degree Types Offered
Credential Type
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
Associate Degree – Transferable Degree
Long-Term Certificate
– known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
Short-Term Certificates
– known as Certificates (CT)
You'd like to begin working in the field immediately upon graduating from your associate degree program
You're currently working in the field and looking to complete a program to help you advance
You'd like to pursue further education at a four-year institution upon completion of your associate degree
You're currently working in criminal justice and would like to advance your career or supplement your professional experience with academic knowledge
You're an aspiring criminal justice professional and want to gain general academic knowledge of the field
You'd like to complete a certificate while pursuing your associate degree
You’re looking to break into the criminal justice field by developing specialized skillsets specific to careers in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections
You're working towards an associate degree and would like to complete a certificate in the process
You're a corrections professional seeking career advancement or additional skills
You're looking to break into the corrections field and need the skills to do so
You're a policing professional (or aspire to be one) and wish to complete a certificate to aid in your career advancement
You're a School Resource Officer (or would like to be) seeking to obtain the skills needed to succeed
You’re looking to break into the criminal justice field by developing specialized skillsets specific to careers in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice is an affordable, two-year degree program that prepares you for entry-level positions in the criminal justice field. In addition to general education and program coursework, students must complete a Capstone course and an end-of-program learning assessment.
The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice gives you the foundation you need to transfer to a four-year degree program and later begin working within security, law enforcement, investigation, court services, probation, or parole at the local, state, or federal levels. You can save upward of $10,000 by completing your first two years at Ivy Tech and then transferring!
Our Criminal Justice program currently partners with multiple schools so you can seamlessly transfer without losing your credits or time.
Talk to our transfer advocates for information about continuing your education after completing your associate degree at Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the university to which you plan to transfer. Note that admission is not guaranteed just by enrolling in the Criminal Justice program. You will need to be admitted to the institution you intend to transfer to.
Required Courses
Associate degree graduates must complete a total of 60 credit hours:
Long-Term Certificate
known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
The Technical Certificate (TC) in Criminal Justice will empower current and aspiring criminal justice professionals with an academic understanding of the criminal justice system. Students hone their critical thinking, comprehension, and technical skills.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to one of the associate degrees in Criminal Justice is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level criminal justice careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 30 credit hours:
Short-Term Certificates
known as Certificates (CT)
The Criminal Justice Certificate (CT) is a great way to start your career in criminal justice quickly. You will learn tactical skills needed for careers in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, so that you can become a valuable member of a team right away. Once you've completed this certificate, you may choose to continue your education to get a promotion or specialize in a specific realm of criminal justice.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to one of the associate degrees in Criminal Justice is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level criminal justice careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.
The Professionalism in Corrections Certificate (CT) gives current and aspiring corrections professionals foundational academic knowledge of the criminal justice system. You'll strengthen critical thinking skills, comprehension, and technical skills over the course of the program.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to one of the associate degrees in Criminal Justice is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level criminal justice careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.
The Professionalism in Policing Certificate (CT) builds foundational knowledge in the criminal justice system for current or future policing professionals. The course provides opportunities to grow critical thinking, comprehension, and technical skills as they relate to policing.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to one of the associate degrees in Criminal Justice is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level criminal justice careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.
The School Resource Officer Training Certificate (CT) teaches valuable knowledge and skills regarding the criminal justice system, juvenile delinquency, and how to work with youth. The course is designed for current or aspiring school resource officers who wish to sharpen their critical thinking, technical, and comprehension skills as they pertain to the field.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your Associate Degree
A recommended path to one of the associate degrees in Criminal Justice is to complete one or more of the certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level criminal justice careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 18 credit hours.
Are you the person everyone looks towards when there is a difficult problem to solve? Are you creative and able to develop solutions with safety and respect for all? In criminal justice we not only protect and serve our communities, but we ensure justice and fairness. You will be challenged to train and cross train into many different fields so that your opportunities are unlimited.
Criminal justice needs individuals who are:
Problem Solvers
Creative
Compassionate
Honorable- perseverance and moral courage
Able to De-escalate
Able to develop Situational Awareness
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits above, criminal justice may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
Students must demonstrate competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in one of the following individual or grouped courses:
ENGL 083 Reading Strategies for College and ENGL 093 Introduction to College Writing
ENGL 095 Integrated Reading and Writing
ENGL 075 Co-Requisite Integrated Reading and Writing
No Expiration of Credits
There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least four weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Criminal Justice Courses
Descriptions of criminal justice courses can be found in our online course catalog.
View required classes and course descriptions for:
See when specific courses will be offered by searching our course list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the course in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming courses are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Course Formats
Criminal Justice courses are available via in-person, online, virtual, and blended formats.
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
If you've been serving your community already, thank you for your service! Ivy Tech wants to ensure you're spending time and tuition learning new skills that will make you stronger in your career path. As such, we offer credit for previous professional experience that our students have. Please see below for credit that will count toward your Ivy Tech program requirements based on existing certifications you have.
Applying to Ivy Tech is free and easy. Start by completing the online general application. After you're accepted, you’ll receive information about setting up your student account and completing the tasks you need to enroll, including course placement, registering for classes, and paying tuition.
Visit our How to Apply page for complete application and enrollment steps.
Dr. Chelsea Rood-Emmick MSW, LSW Department Chair, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Legal and Paralegal Studies Associate Professor of Human Services crood1@ivytech.edu 812-924-3679
Professor Andrew M. Criswell, M.S.C.J. Department Chair-Criminal Justice , Paralegal, and Legal Studies acriswell14@ivytech.edu
Ivy Tech Community College-South Bend/Elkhart School of Public Services Office 319/Lab 228 (463) 308-2134 Mobile 574-261-5510 Office Hours By Appointment
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Zoom Video Calls Call 812-803-1953 to make an appointment for a meeting via Zoom or join virtual drop-in hours as shown below.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 463-207-5972 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00am-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00pm-5:00pm Zoom Link
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1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Indiana. (2025). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2024-2025
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.
