Criminal Justice System Program

A header showing a SSC Criminal Justice class mocking a crime scene.

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The field of law enforcement and criminal justice is an exciting and rewarding career choice for those who desire to find employment in a field which offers variety and new challenges on a daily basis. Individuals involved in this field will have the opportunity to make contributions to their community as well as society as a whole! South Suburban College is proud to offer a wide range of curricula to help you on your way to an exciting new career or to augment your skills if you are presently employed in this field.

The mission of the Criminal Justice Program is to provide the student with a foundational understanding of the American Criminal Justice System so as to place them in a position to enhance their ability to become employed, or to advance their career, as a law enforcement or correctional officer.

  • The student will be able to identify and understand the relationships between the three branches of the criminal justice system;
  • The student will be able to write in an effective and clear manner;
  • The student will be able to identify and understand the basic Constitutional protections as applied to law enforcement officials;
  • The student will be able to identify and address the ethical/moral issues related to law enforcement/corrections;
  • The student will understand the physical, intellectual, and personal background requirements related to the hiring practices of law enforcement and correction agencies;
  • The student will understand the evidentiary issues related to arrest and prosecution of an accused in the courts;
  • The student will be able to identify criminal acts and ascertain what codified laws apply to those criminal acts;
  • The student will be able to understand the importance of: evidence collection, the chain of evidence, and basic evidence collection techniques;
  • The student will learn the modern theory of Community Oriented Policing and identify law enforcement practices that strengthen law enforcement – community relations.

See SELF SERVICE web page.

Criminal Justice System AAS Degree (CJS.AAS)

This degree is for those desiring employment with, or upgrading of their skills for, police agencies, correctional facilities, or security companies.

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Corrections Officer/
Youth Supervisor Option (CJS.AAS.CORR)

This program is for those interested in working in correctional settings, including youth facilities, penitentiaries, jails, and probation and parole settings.

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Criminal Justice System Certificate (CJS.CERT)

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As cash bail nears an end in Illinois, judge explains how she decides defendants' bonds

Faculty Spotlight

Maryam Ahmad

Legal Studies Adjunct Professor

Professor Ahmad is an Associate Judge in the Pre-Trial Division at Leighton Criminal Court Building and has served many positions and appointments in Cook County Court system. Recently, Chicago’s CBS2 interviewed Judge Ahmad about how she decides defendants bonds.

If you have questions about the Criminal Justice System Program at SSC, contact Becky Hougesen Walters, J.D., Paralegal/Criminal Justice Coordinator, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2579 or via email at bwalters@ssc.edu.