Criminal Justice (eCampus program), BSCJ

The flexible online program in criminal justice at BGSU will allow you to keep working - and earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as two years. The degree-completion program is designed for those who have an associate degree in criminal justice or a related field and who are currently working in criminal justice, social services or the military. We educate future leaders who will learn to identify and propose solutions to the problems confronting the criminal justice system, critically evaluate crime policies and practices, and communicate effectively.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in criminal justice are expected to:

• Identify, investigate, and propose solutions to problems/issues facing the criminal justice system;
• Critically evaluate policies and practices of the criminal justice system;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in written form.

Admission Requirements

1. An earned associate degree in a related field,
2. Transfer credit for an Introduction to CRJU course (or equivalent earned through BGSU)
3. Individuals with an earned technical or applied associate degree or equivalence who are employed in a field realted to criminal justice, social services, or military service and wish to continue their education.
4. Transcripts from all previously attended colleges, technical schools, or other credit bearing education, military, or law enforcement training
5. Complete the online application for admission to BGSU
6. Once we receive your application and all required documents, an admission decision will be made. If admitted, your admission packet will include an official transfer credit evaluation.

Progression through the Criminal Justice Degree Completion Pathway

• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be maintained.
• A grade of “C” or higher is required in all program core courses and core electives.
• Any core CRJU course or core elective that does not have a grade of “C” or better must be retaken to earn a grade of “C” or better.
• All general education or supportive courses can be taken in conjunction with the CRJU core courses, unless the course is a prerequisite requirement for the CRJU core course. 
• A student may stop out of the program for a period of time for various reasons. However, the student should notify the CRJU degree completion program coordinator of the need to stop out. A student is able to return to the program at any time through a readmission process. If the curriculum has changed, the students will abide by the new curriculum pattern at time of readmission.

Degree Completion Requirements

• A total of 122 credit hours are required to graduate from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
• A student must remain in good academic standing with at least a GPA of 2.5 to graduate with the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
• A grade of “C” or grater must be earned in all CRJU core and core elective classes for graduation. 
• Students must complete 36 Bowling Green Perspective (BGP) credit hours (general education coursework).

Internship

400 agency hours for nine credit hours (CRJU 4910) and practicum seminar for three credit hours (CRJU 4920)

Students Working Full-Time in a Criminal Justice or Related Field

Students in the degree completion program who are currently working full-time at a criminal justice related agency or organization may choose to complete the internship through their employer, whereby the internship is designed to enhance or lead to professional advancement.  These internships will typically include special projects completed through the current employing agency and/or duties that demonstrate connections between student learning outcomes and the completion of job-related assignments or goals.  Degree completion students who are currently working full time in the field will work with the BGSU Criminal Justice Internship Coordinator to develop a plan to complete the internship requirement. 

Students Who Have Completed Certified Policy Academy Training

Students in the degree completion program who have completed a certified police academy training program in Ohio, Indiana, or Michigan may apply to use the completed police academy training to fulfill the internship requirement by notifying the BGSU Criminal Justice Internship Coordinator and Degree Completion Coordinator of their intention to do so.

Core Electives

All Criminal Justice students must take 20-21 hours of Core Electives. Those following the general degree requirements select a list of pre-approved courses, and those for which special permission is granted should be selected carefully, to supplement and enrich the criminal justice core courses.