Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Criminal Justice

BGSU is one of only two universities in the U.S. with an active crime laboratory on its campus. We are at the forefront of forensic science education in Ohio and home to the Center for the Future of Forensic Science.

In our criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you can take the general criminal justice path or specialize in forensic investigation. Within the forensic investigation specialization, you can concentrate in forensic DNA analysis, forensic drug analysis or forensic examination.

Our curriculum was developed with help from Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) forensic scientists who work in the on-campus crime lab. You will get the skills and experience that employers expect of prospective job candidates.

Our criminal justice graduates work at the federal, state and local levels in all three branches of the criminal justice system – law enforcement, the court system and the corrections system.

Undergrad Accelerated Criminal Justice- Forensic Investigation

The Criminal Justice program is part of the Department of Human Services in the BGSU College of Health & Human Services.

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.

Sample Courses

  • Law, Evidence and Legal Issues in Forensic Science
  • Introduction to Forensic Science
  • Crime Prevention and Security
  • Digital Crime and Criminal Justice
  • Interview and Observation
  • Investigations
  • Family Diversity
  • Criminology

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.

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

Required courses

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Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

View average salaries

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.

Career Options

  • Law enforcement
  • Forensic science technician
  • Private investigator
  • Corrections/probation officer
  • Attorney
  • Victim services advocate
  • Criminologist

View average salaries - from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Criminal Justice are expected to:

  • Identify, investigate, and propose solutions to problems/issues facing the criminal justice system;
  • Critically evaluate policies and practices of the criminal justice system;
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in written form.

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Criminal Justice program will undergo its next Program/Cluster Review during the Academic Year 2021-22.  More information on accreditation.

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Criminal Justice program does not lead to professional licensure.

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Criminal Justice program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

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The Criminal Justice program is part of the Department of Human Services in the BGSU College of Health & Human Services.



* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.