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Combine your desire to make a difference with your people skills and problem-solving abilities for a fulfilling career in law enforcement, private security or corrections with the Criminal Justice program at JCCC.

What will I learn in JCCC’s Criminal Justice program?

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in criminal justice? Look no further than our criminal justice program here at Johnson County Community College. We offer world-class faculty, educational courses, and hands-on experiences to prepare you for a job in law enforcement. 

This program prepares you to become a criminal justice professional or to transition to a criminal justice program at a four-year school. There are few careers like criminal justice that give you the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a difference.

Basic training covers the aspects of law enforcement, the behaviors of offenders, and criminal profiling and analysis. Explore the structure of the judicial process through discussions of U.S. Supreme Court cases, how the Constitution is interpreted, and the significance of the separation of powers doctrine. You will examine the field of corrections, crime prevention and ethical responsibilities.

Why JCCC for Criminal Justice?

The Criminal Justice Associate of Arts program takes a practical approach with instruction from faculty who have decades of real-world experience. All our instructors are or have been criminal justice practitioners in law enforcement, the courts, corrections or investigations. In addition, the faculty regularly bring criminal justice experts into the classroom and schedule tours so you can see career possibilities firsthand.

CJ 285, an internship of 12 hours per week for 14 weeks (a total of 168 hours), is a great way to make connections in the criminal justice field.

Get involved

Join the JCCC Criminal Justice Club, a student-run organization that helps you make direct connections to criminal justice professionals. Past club members have:

Participate in Public Safety Day

This department-wide event introduces you to different criminal justice agencies. Speak with professionals in corrections, sexual assault investigation, law enforcement and legal prosecution.

Frank Galbrecht, Department Chair, Criminal Justice
"The Criminal Justice Advisory Committee is comprised of Johnson County professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, the district attorney’s office and victim assistance. These members provide insight to hiring employees along with trends and industry needs." Galbrecht has more than 30-years of law enforcement experience and 20 years of teaching at JCCC
Join other successful JCCC students Apply now

Law and order aren’t exactly what they look like on TV; a real-world criminal justice profession can be more exciting, challenging and rewarding. And because it’s such an important function in society, communities will always need criminal justice professionals. Depending on your position and location, you could earn a salary in the $50,000 range, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A degree in criminal justice—especially a four-year degree—is increasingly important for securing a job and moving forward in the field. For instance, to get a highly sought-after FBI analyst position, you will need a criminal justice degree. Candidates also need specialized skills to set them apart from the competition—whether it’s knowing a second language, having another degree in law, accounting or psychology, or experience working in the field.

Download the Criminal Justice Program Outlook (PDF) for employment projections and salary information.


Need help with career decisions? Visit the Career Development Center.

Money matters and the cost of going to college can drastically impact your life and ability to succeed. At JCCC, we want you to have the flexibility to be in a program you enjoy, no matter the cost. We are working hard to make tuition affordable for you. 

Here’s what JCCC has to offer:

Costs for textbooks and other supplies vary depending on your classes.

There are several things to consider when budgeting for college. Visit our Cost of Attendance page for detailed information.

Resources and Tools at JCCC

In addition to tutoring and small classes, you’ll have access to various resources as a JCCC student. 

Our Financial Aid office can help you with scholarship applications, student loans, and what else you need to know to pay for college.

If you need help discovering what your passion will be post-graduation, our Career Development Center and Academic Counseling services are great support tools.

Expand your education by transferring to a four-year schoolTransferring gives you the opportunity to further your knowledge and studies through various other programs and career paths.