According to Education-Portal.com, The University of Illinois at Chicago's Department of Criminology, Law and Justice boasts some of the leading programs in criminal justice in the nation, including a top-ranked doctoral program. Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminology, Law and Justice. The university offers substantial support in arranging internships and career placements and is highly regarded as a first step towards a career in research organizations or professional agencies such as police and probation departments.
Loyola University, 10 miles north of downtown Chicago, has a dedicated Department of Criminal Justice, providing both undergraduate and graduate programs. At undergraduate level, Loyola offers Bachelor of Science major and minor programs in Criminal Justice. The curriculum focuses on three areas; law enforcement, courts, and corrections. In addition, an array of special topics are offered, such as forensic psychology, guns and crime, and alcohol and drug dependency. The department also offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, which can be combined with undergraduate study to form a five-year accelerated bachelor's-master's program.
Northwestern College is a for-profit educational establishment with a criminal justice program at its campus in the Jefferson Park neighborhood, on Chicago's northwest side. The college provides an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice, which it guarantees will exceed the minimum education requirements of the Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police. Northwestern College is approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Argosy University delivers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at its downtown Chicago campus, as well as at its Schaumburg campus, 24 miles west of the city. The program requires students to select from a variety of areas of criminal justice on which to focus their studies. These include corrections, forensic psychology, homeland security, police, security management, and substance abuse. Argosy offers both an online learning program and a blended program, combining online and campus-based learning.