Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Advisor Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Program: Criminal Justice, MSCJ (online)
This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress

Criminal Justice, MSCJ (online)

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program offers educational opportunities for individuals who seek a broader understanding of the criminal justice process and the link between research and policy. The MSCJ program also serves those seeking additional credentials for promotion and career enhancement, students interested in pursuing doctoral work in criminal justice, and those in related fields who are interested in criminal justice issues or careers. The MSCJ degree can be earned in five semesters (18 months) of part-time study in the online program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students are expected to be able to:

  • Integrate theory and research with criminal justice practice.
  • Develop effective programmatic or policy responses to emerging criminal justice issues.
  • Appraise the general quality of criminal justice research and propose methods for improving this research.
  • Write and effectively communicate at a level expected of someone in a criminal justice leadership position.

Admission Requirements

*The eCampus program is available in a part-time format only. The specialties in Victims and Offenders or Forensic Investigations are not available in the eCampus format at this time.

  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement of 750 words or less outlining interests in graduate study, expectations, and future goals.

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement. 

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (18 credits)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
CRJU 6010 - Criminal Justice Processes and Institutions
CRJU 6020 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice
CRJU 6030 - Data Analysis and Interpretation in Criminal Justice
CRJU 6050 - The Nature of Crime
CRJU 6400 - Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
CRJU 6510 - Seminar in Criminal Justice Ethics

Electives (12 credits)

Select 4 courses from: 

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
CRJU 6300 - Seminar in Criminal Justice Legal Issues
CRJU 6310 - Seminar in Court Administration
CRJU 6450 - Issues in Justice Administration
CRJU 6500 - Race, Gender, and Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice
CRJU 6550 - Crime Analysis
CRJU 6820 - Topics in Criminal Justice
CRJU 6860 - Independent Study in Criminal Justice
CRJU 5200 - Organization and Management of Criminal Justice
CRJU 5860 - Workshop in Criminal Justice
CRJU 6050 - The Nature of Crime
CRJU 6200 - Seminar in Contemporary Corrections
CRJU 6210 - Intermediate Punishments and the Community
FORI 6400 - Cybercrime and Digital Forensics
FORI 6500 - Criminal Profiling and Behavioral Analysis
FORI 6600 - Intelligence and Homeland Security
FORI 6700 - Forensic Casework Practicum
FORI 6900 - Topics in Forensic Investigations
FORI 5400 - Law, Evidence and Procedure in Forensic Science
FORI 6000 - Crime Scene Techniques
FORI 6010 - Elements of Forensic Science
FORI 6050 - Criminalistics
FORI 6080 - Forensic Science and the Law
FORI 6100 - Death Investigation
FORI 6150 - Organized Crime and Criminal Networks
FORI 6200 - Sex Trafficking and Pornography
FORI 6250 - Exploitation Crime
FORI 6300 - Cold Case Investigation
  • FORI 5***
  • FORI 6***
  • Other Requirements

    Culminating Experience (0-3 credits)

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore

    Plan I:

    CRJU 6990 - Thesis Research

    Plan II:

    Comprehensive Exam or Portfolio

    Minimum Total Credits (30 credits)

    Additional Requirements

    • Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students.  Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements. 
    • Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
    • Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher
    • Minimum of  24 credits must be earned at BGSU
    • All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.
    Notes: