Criminal Justice Major (B.C.J.)

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Major code BC2209

University College
Chubb Hall 140
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1935
Fax: 740.593.0206
university.college@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/univcollege/degree/criminal.cfm

Tanya Barnett, Director of Degree Programs

Program Overview

The upper-division Criminal Justice major program is designed exclusively for students who have previously completed an associate’s 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 apply to the Criminal Justice major program and may earn a baccalaureate degree by completing a minimum of 32 additional hours of Ohio University work.

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.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year 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.

Change of Program Policy

To enter the Criminal Justice program, you must complete an online application. Students can obtain the online application from University College, regional campus, or e-Learning B.C.J. advisors.

Please note that students on regional campuses may need longer than two years and may need to register on more than one campus. The major is also available online through Ohio University’s eCampus at http://www.ohio.edu/ecampus/.

External Transfer Admission

To enter the Criminal Justice program, you must complete a separate online application in addition to the application to the University and submit a college transcript showing that you have completed an associate’s degree in an appropriate technical field. Students can obtain the online application from University College, regional campus, or e-Learning B.C.J. advisors. Upon admission, you will be assigned a B.C.J. advisor who will assist you in completing your approved program of study. You must be admitted to the major at least one semester prior to graduation.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

The Criminal Justice program offers students with technical education background the opportunity to broaden their exposure to liberal higher education while acquiring the necessary specialization to qualify for careers in such fields as parole and probation, adult and juvenile corrections, and police administration. Criminal Justice students might also prepare for law school or for further study in graduate or professional schools.