The Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) program is designed for students who have already completed an applied associate degree in a related area such as law enforcement, human services technology, corrections technology, or police administration.
It offers students with technical education backgrounds an academic program to broaden their education, helping them qualify for careers in law enforcement administration, parole and probation, forensic science, adult and juvenile corrections, and police administration.
The upper-division Criminal Justice major program is designed exclusively for students who have previously completed an associate degree program in a technical area related to criminal justice, such as law enforcement, corrections technology, police administration, legal assisting, or human services. If you hold such a degree from a technical or community college, or from a regional campus of Ohio University, you are eligible to bypass the pre-BCJ and be admitted directly to the Criminal Justice major program. The program is intentionally designed to be completed in two years. Contact your transfer advisor to see if your college has an articulation agreement with our BCJ program.
The multidisciplinary curriculum comprises a broad range of courses from the social and behavioral sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and professional disciplines, all of which make a contribution to the complex field of Criminal Justice. You may individualize your program of study through elective courses.
Since a bachelor's degree is rapidly becoming a minimum requirement for employment in this field, your chances for employment and advancement are strengthened greatly by this program.
Curriculum
The Criminal Justice Major curriculum is available in the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog . Our interdisciplinary curriculum allows flexibility in pursuing your individual educational goals. The curriculum is composed of general courses from the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as a specific core of professional courses. Depending upon the number of credit hours you're bringing to Ohio University, you may also choose electives outside your major, or pursue a minor.
The program is offered through both the Athens and regional campuses, and individuals may enroll on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students on the Athens campus, and full-time students completing articulation agreements are likely to complete the program in four semesters.
In addition, the Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) degree can be completed entirely or in part through Ohio University Online .
Degree Requirements
The Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) is intended for students who have already completed an applied associate degree program in the criminal justice field from an accredited community college, regional campus, or technical college, and who wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The guiding premise of the program is that the criminal justice system can be improved by providing high-quality, liberal education to students who have already earned an associate degree in a related field.
The criminal justice major requires:
- 30 semester hours at the 3000-4000 level
- Fifty percent of the major must be completed through Ohio University
- A minimum 2.0 or higher GPA in the major and overall is required to graduate
The Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) requires a completed associate degree in a related area (e.g., law enforcement technology). New students may enter OHIO as pre-BCJ (ND2210) majors and work toward the Law Enforcement Technology associate degree (AA5505) and BCJ requirements simultaneously.
The Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) curriculum is available in the Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog .
Tuition and Fees
| Fee Type | Ohio Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
|
Full Program Tuition & Fees
|
$17,166 | $29,154 |
|
University Fees
|
$654 | $854 |
Tuition and fees are for estimating purposes and are subject to change. Pending Board of Trustees' approval.
*Additional fees include health insurance and legal fees but may be waived if proof of coverage is shown; required of international students.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for graduate study (regardless of discipline) is available in the form of student loans. To begin the loan application process, you need to complete and submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The school code for Ohio University is 003100.
To learn more about loans, scholarships and grants, visit Ohio University's Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships . Another good resource is The College Board .
Admission
If you are not currently enrolled at Ohio University, you will need to complete an application for admission through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, or through a student services office at one of the regional campuses.
The BCJ major is available on all campuses and online through OHIO Online . Nearly all BCJ majors will be required to complete online coursework.
Completion of an applied associate degree in a related technical field (criminal justice, paralegal, human services, law enforcement, corrections, police science, police administration, security/safety, forensic studies) is required for you to qualify for admission to the BCJ program. If you have not earned an applied associate degree, you may first enroll in and complete the Law Enforcement Technology applied associate degree program at Ohio University.
Internal Student Transfer
To internally transfer into the criminal justice program, you must:
- Achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Earn an applied associate degree in a criminal justice-related technical field. The degree completion must be posted on a student’s DARS report for admission to the BCJ.
- Declare the BCJ major via the Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree Program Application Form. The application form is available from University College, 140 Chubb Hall, or from any regional campus student services office. You may also fill out the application online .
To internally transfer into the criminal justice pre-major program, you must:
- Achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Be enrolled in an applied associate degree program in a criminal justice related technical field. OHIO’s Law Enforcement Technology (LET) program is recommended if you are not enrolled in another criminal justice related associate program. Declare the LET program major code (code: AA5505) by completing this form. An applied associate degree in a criminal justice-related technology must be earned prior to admission to the BCJ program.
- Declare the pre-BCJ major via the Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) Degree Program Application Form .
Students may complete this application to declare the pre-BCJ or BCJ major at any time.
Ohio University's faculty takes the time
Sarah Sizemore’s criminal justice degree
My degree allowed me to gain
The criminal justice degree
Where Have Our Students Gone?
Our alumni are distinguished in their field. Check out what your future might look like with this degree from Ohio University
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Sherriff's DeputyMakalia JonesAs a deputy sheriff in the Franklin County Corrections Center, Ohio University graduate Makalia Jones is tasked with the care, custody and control of inmates, as well as responding to any incidents that may arise within the facility.
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U.S. MarshalMatthew BargerThe officer in charge of the Southern District of West Virginia Violent Fugitive Task Force, Barger manages a group of local officers based in Charleston, and his work involves collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and colleagues in other states as well as international partners. He and his team are tasked with finding and arresting federal, state, and local fugitives charged with violent crimes.
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Natural Resources OfficerJennifer McClain EskeyA lifelong learner and servant leader, Jennifer McClain is putting her experience and background in law enforcement, together with her criminal justice education to work as a natural resource officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Departmental Honors
Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) students may earn departmental honors through University College.
- Students must earn a 3.5 accumulativeGPA to earn departmental honors.
- An honors thesis is required.
Guidelines and an application are available from an advisor.
Faculty and Advisor Information
Students should triage their Tier I math sequence, and then immediately pursue their statistics and then research methods requirements.
Students should also triage their BCJ Core requirements, taking any prerequisites for their sociology, political science, or psychology track their first term. The sociology courses are offered sequentially once a year, so careful planning up front is necessary.
Students should plan for and complete their Area II Group B (Political and Legal Issues) course earlier in their academic career, as a course is not always offered in this area each term.
Should a Criminal Justice Major (Bachelor of Science) course substitution be necessary (ie a new course or seminar), please work with your advisee to submit a Substitution Form to Julie Cohara . Forms are reviewed and updated weekly.
Contact
Contact the University office or the Director of Degree Programs with questions, or reach out to an advisor listed below:
Athens Campus
University College
Chubb Hall 140740.593.1935
university.college@ohio.edu