Bachelors
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Criminal Justice
BGSU has a long-standing reputation for producing leaders in the field of criminal justice. Our nationally recognized internship program is a game changer for our students. You will get 400 hours of invaluable real-world experience and be prepared to work with diverse clients in a variety of criminal justice areas.
Learn to identify and propose solutions to the problems confronting the criminal justice system, critically evaluate crime policies and practices, and communicate effectively.
Our criminal justice degree program is one of the oldest in the nation. Choose from two degree plans – the general criminal justice pathway or a specialization in forensic investigations if you’re interested in working as a law enforcement detective or investigator.
Why study criminal justice at BGSU in Ohio?
- Small class sizes. Receive personal attention and engage in robust in-class discussions.
- Valuable, real-world experience. We have the most extensive criminal justice internship program in the country. Choose from sites at more than 800 U.S. agencies. Make contacts that lead to future jobs.
- Expert faculty who have a wealth of experience in law enforcement, criminology, research and the criminal justice system. The majority have doctorates and are active in research.
- Criminal Justice Learning Community. Live with students who share your interests and get high-impact, project-based learning opportunities.
- Research opportunities with BGSU’s Police Integrity Research Group.
- Network with criminal justice professionals from a wide range of disciplines. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime laboratory and investigation facility and the Center for the Future of Forensic Science are located on BGSU’s campus.
- Build camaraderie. Criminal justice courses are open only to criminal justice students. This guarantees that all examples and discussions are directly relevant to you.
- Expand your knowledge. Get involved with our active Justice Student Association.
- BGSU’s top-ranked master’s program. Stay at BGSU for graduate school. Our online criminal justice master’s program is one of the top online programs in the country and ranked No. 1 among Ohio public universities.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is focused on social and behavioral sciences with core courses in government, law, psychology and sociology. Because you take courses in other departments, as well as in criminal justice, you’ll learn to look at problems from many viewpoints.
Enroll in courses like
- Investigations
- Law, Evidence, and Legal Issues in Forensic Science
- Institutional and Community Corrections
- Procedural Rights
- Juvenile Justice
- Criminal Courts
You'll learn how to:
- Evaluate policies and practices of the criminal justice system
- Think critically about and embrace the diversity of the society in which you serve and live.
We also focus on soft skills, helping you critically examine the world around you and embrace diversity.
Consider our specialization in forensic investigation if you’re interested in pursuing investigative careers in the public, private, intelligence or military sectors.
Concentrate in:
- Forensic DNA analysis
- Forensic drug analysis
- Forensic examination
The undergraduate specialization in forensic investigation prepares criminal justice students for investigative careers in the public, private, intelligence and military sectors. The specialization requires four dedicated courses, in addition to core criminal justice courses.
Internships
BGSU has the most extensive internship program of any criminal justice program in the country. You are required to complete 400 hours (essentially 40 hours a week for 12 weeks) with an approved criminal justice organization. Field placements are available throughout the U.S.
Career - what can you do with a criminal justice degree?
Criminal justice majors have many career paths, depending on your goals. Graduates of the BGSU criminal justice program work at the local, state and federal levels in the three branches of the criminal and juvenile justice systems – law enforcement, the court system and the corrections system. They also go on to graduate school and law school.
Sample jobs
| Law enforcement | Forensic science technician |
| Private investigator | Corrections/probation officer |
| Attorney | Victim services advocate |
| Criminologist |
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
View Average Salaries
Summer Forensic Camp for high school students
BGSU’s virtual summer camp lets you experience what it’s like to be a forensic scientist.
- Classroom, lab and field experiences
- Taught by professionals from our cutting-edge forensic science program (They’ve even been featured on the hit show Forensic Files.)
- A virtual tour through a mock crime scene by a forensic scientist
- Home labs such as fingerprinting, evidence collection, blood typing and more.
BGSU’s online criminal justice master’s program is ranked No. 1 among Ohio public universities and in the top 10 in the U.S.
Sources: U.S. News and World Report
The criminal justice program is part of the Department of Human Services in the BGSU College of Health & Human Services.