Academic Program
Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science Degree
The study of criminal justice is designed to provide students with an understanding of criminal offending and the criminal justice process. As society continues to grow, so does the need for this career and the understanding of how and why such behavior occurs. This program stresses an interdisciplinary study of criminal justice in America. In an effort to allow students to gain greater depth of understanding in areas they find interesting, the program has created a series of cognate areas in corrections, criminal justice, criminology and policing. Those interested in careers in criminal justice, crime prevention, child behavioral problems, adolescent delinquency or effective intervention will find this degree extremely valuable.
Freshman Admission Requirements
All incoming freshmen entering in the 2010-11 academic year must meet one of the following requirements:
- Graduate in top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 17 ACT or 820 SAT
- Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
- Graduate in top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT
Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including:
- College preparatory English (4 units)
- College preparatory math (3 units)
- Science (2 units)
- Social science (2 units)
- Foreign language (2 units same language)
- Fine arts (1 unit)
- Additional units from above (2 units)
Transfer Admission Requirements
All transfer students must meet one of the following conditions:
- Have a 2.5 GPA if transferring from a two-year college
- Have a 2.0 GPA if transferring with an associate degree
- Have a 2.0 GPA if transferring from a four-year college
Application Information
Program Code: 18BS-CJ
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall quarter ? June 1; winter quarter ? November 15; spring quarter ? February 1; summer quarter ? May 1.
Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall quarter - August 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.
Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to Raymond Walters College or Clermont College.
UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that quarter.
Program Requirements
Duration
Full-time program duration: 4 years
Majoring Details
The School of Criminal Justice is housed in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH), and offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Our renowned faculty and staff come together to offer diverse course offerings, teach new practices and share the most up-to-date research findings. The faculty in the School of Criminal Justice are in high demand to consult in various criminal justice agencies, as well as national and foreign governments.
Students have the opportunity to attend a wide range of courses developed by faculty who are known as scholars in their respective fields. Students start with core classes, such as Introduction to Criminal Justice and Introduction to Criminology and move on to select courses in four cognate areas. Some of our more popular classes include Biosocial Criminology; Race, Class, and Crime; Serial Criminals; and Terrorism.
Students who are pursuing the bachelor of science degree must complete a minimum of 180 credit hours, including general education, core classes and field placement. All students in the undergraduate criminal justice program are required to pursue a minor. This is usually decided between the student and their academic advisor. Students are generally encouraged to declare a minor after their first year of study.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:
- Complete all required course work and program requirements.
- Attain at least a 2.0 grade point average.
- Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
- Meet the college's residency requirement of 45 credit hours.
- File formal application for the degree by the posted quarter of graduation deadline.
Student Success Factors
Students pursuing a degree in criminal justice have a wide variety of academic interests and talents. Many students select courses that will enhance a specific area, as well as courses they enjoy. Many of our students want to combine their interest in anthropology, literature, psychology, sociology and women’s studies. However, students who choose extensive courses in accounting, biology, business, chemistry, forensics or a foreign language seem to have greater career/job opportunities.All students pursuing an undergraduate degree in criminal justice must complete field placement. The field placement allows seniors to expand upon their education by gaining practical field experience. These unpaid internships are in a criminal-justice related agency of the student’s choice. A total of 144 contact hours must be charted for the student to receive credit. Many students are successful in obtaining full-time positions after graduation, due to experience from their field placement.
Career Possibilities
The employment outlook in criminal justice is excellent. Through both classroom and field placement, students are prepared for a responsible position of service in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, criminal justice administration, crime prevention, research, youth services agencies and other related career agencies. For individuals already employed in the field, the degree is a good vehicle for career advancement.
Graduates of this major pursue many different careers. A few examples are:
- Corrections
- Court Administrator
- Criminal Investigator
- Law Enforcement: Local, County, State and Federal
- Halfway House Counselors and Managers
- Internal Revenue Service
- Park Ranger
- Parole Officer
- Probation Officer
- Public and Private Security
- Risk Manager
- U.S. Postal Inspector
- Warden
Many of our students continue to further their education, choosing to attend graduate school or law school.
Core Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.
If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| English Composition | 15-ENGL-101, 102 | 6 |
| Intermediate Composition | 15-ENGL-289 | 3 |
| Mathematic electives | 6 | |
| Natural science electives | 6 | |
| Diversity & culture elective | 3 | |
| Social & ethical issues elective (met through CJ course work) | ||
| Literature or fine arts elective | 3 | |
| Humaties electives | 9 | |
| Social science electives | 18 | |
| History | 9 | |
| Free electives | 27 | |
| Focus Area/Academic Minor/Certificate (9 credit hours must be 300 level or above) | 30 |
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Core Courses | ||
| Intro to Criminal Justice | 18-CJ-101 | 3 |
| Intro to Criminology | 18-CJ-102 | 3 |
| Intro to Policing | 18-CJ-103 | 3 |
| Intro to Corrections | 18-CJ-104 | 3 |
| Life-Course Criminology | 18-CJ-404 | 3 |
| Criminal Procedure | 18-CJ-420 | 3 |
| CJ Research Methods | 18-CJ-490 | 3 |
| CJ Research Statistics | 18-CJ-491 | 3 |
| Field Placement | 18-CJ-495, 496 | 6 |
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Electives (choose 10; 18 credit hours must be 300 level or above) | 30 | |
| Cognate Area: Corrections | ||
| Legal Issues in Corrections | 18-CJ-284 | 3 |
| Correctional Rehabilitation | 18-CJ-341 | 3 |
| Community Corrections | 18-CJ-343 | 3 |
| Philosphy of Punishment | 18-CJ-344 | 3 |
| Institutional Corrections | 18-CJ-346 | 3 |
| Special Topics in Corrections | 18-CJ-506 | 3 |
| Early Intervention in Corrections | 18-CJ-660 | 3 |
| Cognate Area: Criminal Justice |
| |
| Introduction to Courts | 18-CJ-105 | 3 |
| Domestic Violence | 18-CJ-273 | 3 |
| Managing Conflict Behavior | 18-CJ-274 | 3 |
| CJ in Film | 18-CJ-290 | 3 |
| Ethics in Criminal Justice | 18-CJ-324 | 3 |
| Constitutional Issues and Procedures | 18-CJ-372 | 3 |
| Politics of Criminal Justice | 18-CJ-373 | |
| Drugs and Crime | 18-CJ-387 | 3 |
| Women and Crime | 18-CJ-388 | 3 |
| Race, Class, and Crime | 18-CJ-386 | 3 |
| Criminal Law | 18-CJ-421 | 3 |
| Criminal Procedures II | 18-CJ-422 | 3 |
| Juvenile Justice System | 18-CJ-484 | 3 |
| Survey of Criminology | 18-CJ-302 | 3 |
| Cognate Area: Criminology | ||
| Serial Criminals | 18-CJ-321 | 3 |
| Gangs and Violent Youth | 18-CJ-322 | 3 |
| White Collar Crime | 18-CJ-332 | 3 |
| Juvenile Delinquency | 18-CJ-405 | 3 |
| Contemporary Crime Theory | 18-CJ-406 | 3 |
| Crime Prevention | 18-CJ-407 | 3 |
| Biosocial Criminology | 18-CJ-408 | 3 |
| Psychology of Criminal Behavior | 18-CJ-410 | 3 |
| Survey of Criminology | 18-CJ-302 | 3 |
| Cognate Area: Policing | ||
| Police Photography | 18-CJ-252 | 3 |
| Practical Police Applications | 18-CJ-253 | 3 |
| Police Organizations and Management | 18-CJ-348 | 3 |
| Criminal Investigation | 18-CJ-350 | 3 |
| Police and the Community | 18-CJ-352 | 3 |
| Police Effectiveness | 18-CJ-353 | 3 |
| Hostage Negotiations | 18-CJ-361 | 3 |
| Special Topics in Law Enforcement | 18-CJ-505 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 180 |
The curriculum provided herein is for the guidance of students. The college, however, reserves the right to change course curriculum without prior notice.
The provisions of this listing do not constitute an express or implied contract between the college and any member of the student body, faculty or general public.
The displayed information is the latest available from the academic program which is maintained by the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Student Services Center.
Focus Areas
There is currently no minor offered in criminal justice.Opportunities
Deciding to major in criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati provides students countless opportunities. Students are allowed to choose various courses across the university in many disciplines for a richer collegiate experience. Many students find that studying abroad or doing an internship still allows them to graduate in four years.The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services is committed in every way to student success. Each year, the college has a scholarship drive encouraging students to apply. In past years, the college has been able to award scholarships to many students.
The Student Services Center in CECH is a focal point in the college, offering academic advising to students in undergraduate programs. Our well-educated and trained staff is comprised of full-time academic advisors, support staff and graduate assistants, who work with students to help decide course offerings, change of major, and to answer academic program questions.