criminal justice

The department of Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice is home to three programs that immerse students in a wide range of social science inquiry. Students explore the conceptual frameworks and methods essential to understanding the political, social, and legal phenomena that organize human communities. The department is defined by an open and critical exchange of ideas as it helps students develop the skills of critical thinking, articulate communication, and academic research necessary for success in college and professional life.

For more information about each major/minor, click “Programs of Study” on the right or view the Academic Catalog

Majors

Criminal Justice (B.A., B.S.)
Political Science (B.A., B.S.)
Sociology (B.A., B.S.)

Minors

Criminal Justice
Political Science
Sociology

Criminal Justice (B.A./B.S.)

Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary field which prepares students for a wide range of careers in such diverse fields as law enforcement (local, state, and federal), probation and parole, pre-trial services, law, homeland security, fish and game conservation, and public advocacy. Students in this program complete coursework in criminal justice, sociology, and political science. The study of criminal justice helps students develop their skills in written and oral communication, critical thinking and decision making, research and analysis, and social awareness and ethical responsibility.

Students who pursue the criminal justice degree have a wide range of academic internship opportunities to earn credits in fulfillment of graduation requirements while working for a semester in an agency or organization in the community.

The Criminal Justice program offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

For more information on the degrees offered, visit the Programs of Study page. 

Additional Links

Bureau of Justice Statistics

CIA World Factbook

FBI – Uniform Crime Report

GSS General Social Survey – National Opinion Research Center

Homeland Security Digital Library

Law School Admission Council

Rockford University Institutional Review Board

United Nations Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau

U.S. Department of Labor

U.S. Government Publishing Office

Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice

5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL  61108
815-226-4077

Ron Lee, Ph.D.
rlee@rockford.edu