There is a growing need for trained paralegals who know substantive law and administrative procedures required by the law and the court systems. The paralegal performs various legal tasks under the supervision of attorneys, including conducting legal research and drafting legal documents. Paralegals provide staff support for attorneys in a law office or in a legal setting. Many of these tasks are done by attorneys; however, under the law, they could be provided by paralegals under the supervision of an attorney. The Associate in Arts degree in Paralegal Studies will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major course requirements and the General Education requirements.

The Associate of Arts in criminal justice is a two-year degree program that provides a foundation in criminology, law enforcement, and the justice system. Students also learn about the social issues affecting criminal justice as they prepare for a career in law enforcement or for a four-year degree in criminal justice studies.

The Law and Society Program involves the study of law and legal systems as they relate to the larger societies of which they are a part. While the program is of special interest to students who plan careers in government service or law, many of the majors simply share a desire to understand the role of law in society.

The law and society major seeks to understand the nature of law and legal institutions from a variety of perspectives. The major is interdisciplinary with major responsibility in the Political Science Department and electives offered by the Administration of Justice Department. The program is designed to benefit both those who desire a liberal education and the student who intends to enter graduate or law school. The major provides preparation for transfer into four-year colleges and universities, especially the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The Justice Studies Associate's degree provides students with an introductory education in the Criminal Justice field. The degree provides a strong foundation for the bachelor's degree in Justice Studies and can serve as a stepping stone to a variety of careers in federal, state, and local criminal justice and human service agencies. In response to criminal justice agency-identified needs, the curriculum is strongly oriented to the social and behavioral sciences.

The Police Science degree and certificate program provides practical and technical instruction to meet the requirements of law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. The program is designed for men and women who are interested in careers as law enforcement officers with the responsibility of ensuring the security of human rights and maintaining social order according to the democratic system. Some responsibilities of law enforcement officers include enforcing laws and detecting and arresting violators of the law, crime prevention, and protecting life and property.

The Administration of Justice curriculum is designed to meet the needs of current and prospective students interested in transferring to a four-year institution for the purpose of receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice/Criminal Justice so that students will have a smooth transition from the College to the four-year institution of their choice.

The Corrections degree and certificate program provides preparatory instruction necessary for persons who wish entry into four-year institutions for careers as Correctional Officers, Counselors, or Probation and Parole Officers with federal, state, and county agencies. Entry-level employment may be available after satisfactory completion of the AA degree or certificate requirements.

The Associate of Arts in Justice and Security Studies program provides students with a comprehensive background in local, state, national, and international security considerations. With an emphasis on both theoretical perspectives and practical concerns, the Justice and Security Studies program develops an interdisciplinary understanding of the fundamentals of security whether in law enforcement, information security, or national and global security.

This program is designed to educate and train paralegals to work independently under attorneys' supervision in all areas of law. Graduates are prepared for careers in law firms, insurance companies, government agencies, title companies, banks, and corporations.

The Conservation Law Enforcement AA program prepares students to be entry-level conservation laws enforcement officers who will function successfully as professionals in the Maine Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and other related agencies.

Joliet Junior College’s Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice is a liberal arts-based transfer degree that prepares students for careers in corrections, legal services, fraud investigation, private and government security, and other vital fields that assure the safety and security of all citizens.

Students enrolled in our courses will be able to critically evaluate issues, understand issues from multiple viewpoints, and analyze how they are relevant. Ultimately, students will be able to identify how their governing institutions work to unlock their own potential to bring positive change at the community, state, and national levels.

The Criminal Justice AA prepares students to transfer to a university in the best position for on-time graduation. Students will study how the American Criminal Justice System functions, why crime occurs, and have opportunities to study policing, juveniles, criminal law, investigations, and victimology.

Criminology is the social-scientific study of crime, including the measurement, aetiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency.