Program Overview

Introduction to the Criminal Justice Program

The Criminal Justice program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is nationally recognized for its excellence in producing leaders in the field of criminal justice. With a long-standing reputation for academic rigor and real-world experience, the program offers students a comprehensive education in the social and behavioral sciences, with a focus on government, law, psychology, and sociology.

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice program at BGSU is one of the oldest in the nation, and its online master's program is ranked No. 1 among Ohio public universities and in the top 10 in the U.S. The program offers two degree plans: a general criminal justice pathway and a specialization in forensic investigations. Students can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, with the option to earn a master's degree in just one extra year through the accelerated bachelor's to master's degree program.

Why Study Criminal Justice at BGSU?

There are several reasons why students should consider studying criminal justice at BGSU:

• Small class sizes: Receive personal attention and engage in robust discussions on the causes of crime and real-world solutions to criminal justice problems.
• Valuable, real-world experience: Participate in one of the most extensive criminal justice internship programs in the country, applying academic learning to practical work in the field and making contacts that can lead to jobs.
• Expert faculty: Learn from faculty members who have a wealth of experience in law enforcement, criminology, research, and the criminal justice system, with the majority holding doctorates and being active in research.
• Criminal Justice Learning Community: Live with students who share similar interests and participate in high-impact, project-based learning opportunities, including a four-year sequence of courses and experiences, faculty and peer mentorship, leadership training, community involvement, and field trips.
• Research opportunities: Work as a student researcher with BGSU's Police Integrity Research Group, studying police crime and contributing to a database available to other researchers.
• Networking opportunities: Connect with criminal justice professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime laboratory and investigation facility and the Center for the Future of Forensic Science, both located on BGSU's campus.
• Build camaraderie: Engage in criminal justice courses that are open only to criminal justice students, ensuring that all in-class examples and discussions are directly relevant to the field.
• Expand knowledge: Get involved with the diverse Justice Student Association, which lines up guest speakers offering insight into their professional fields, including judges, sheriffs, and addiction recovery and community health teams.

Career Paths

Criminal justice majors have many career paths to choose from, depending on their 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. Some potential career paths include:

• Law enforcement
• Private investigator
• Juvenile counselor
• Corrections/probation officer
• Attorney
• Victim services advocate
• Criminologist
• Corporate loss prevention professional

Internships

BGSU has one of the most extensive internship programs of any criminal justice program in the country. Students 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.

Curriculum

The curriculum is focused on social and behavioral sciences, with core courses in government, law, psychology, and sociology. Students learn to:

• Evaluate policies and practices of the criminal justice system
• Think critically about the diverse society in which they serve and live
• Propose and critique solutions to the problems of crime causation and mitigation The program also focuses on soft skills, helping students critically examine the world around them. A specialization in forensic investigation is available for those interested in pursuing investigative careers in the public, private, intelligence, or military sectors.

Sample Courses

Some sample courses in the criminal justice program include:

• Law Enforcement in American Society
• Investigations
• Introduction to Forensic Science
• Digital Crime and Criminal Justice
• Law, Evidence and Legal Issues in Forensic Science
• Criminal Courts
• Juvenile Justice Subsystems
• Institutional and Community Corrections

Accreditation

Bowling Green State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with accreditation dating back to 1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012, with the next reaffirmation scheduled for 2022. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Conclusion

The Criminal Justice program at Bowling Green State University offers students a comprehensive education in the field, with a focus on real-world experience, expert faculty, and research opportunities. With a strong reputation and accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the program is an excellent choice for those interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice.