Bachelor of Criminal Justice (B.C.J.)

 

Serve and protect your community through careers in corrections, law enforcement and the court system. 

Ohio University’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice program helps students acquire job-relevant skills and expertise in a timely manner. Students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in a criminal justice related area can complete a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree in one to two years through online or in-person coursework. Learn from faculty whose professional experience bridges classroom learning and practical application, helping you graduate with the hands-on competencies you need to advance your career. 

A B.C.J. degree offers students with technical education backgrounds an academic program to broaden their education, helping them advance in their criminal justice careers.  

Coursework

The Criminal Justice degree includes courses in political science, sociology, communications, philosophy and other disciplines. Core courses include:

• American Constitutional Law
• Civil Liberties
• Social Psychology
• Criminology
• Police and Society
• Punishment and Society

Career Opportunities

Students who complete a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree are prepared to enter or advance in a broad array of careers in corrections, law enforcement, and the court system.   

Admission 

The Criminal Justice major requires a completed associate’s degree in a related area (e.g., law enforcement technology). New students may enter OHIO as pre-B.C.J. (ND2210) majors and work toward the Law Enforcement Technology associate’s degree (AA5505) and B.C.J. requirements simultaneously. 

 

Program Overview 

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice 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.  

 

Admission Requirements 

• A conferred associate degree in the criminal justice field from a two-year technical degree program (90 or more quarter hours or 60 or more semester hours) from a regionally accredited community college, regional campus, technical college, or university 

• Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher 

Program Requirements: 

• 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 

 

More information 

Find additional information on the Bachelor of Criminal Justice major on the University College website and in the Ohio University Undergraduate Course Catalog. 

Contact 

University College 
740.593.1935 
ucdegrees@ohio.edu 

Or contact your regional campus representative: 

James Stephens, M.S.   
Assistant Professor of Instruction  
Ohio University Southern 
740.547.3835  
stephej3@ohio.edu