Criminal Justice, BSCJ

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The Criminal Justice Program offers two degree options-a general criminal justice program and a Specialization in Forensic Investigation. Both programs integrates coursework and interaction with professionals in various disciplines to prepare students for careers throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems as well as graduate school and law school. Graduates of the program work in local law enforcement, state and federal investigative agencies, correctional institutions, adult and juvenile probation and parole, victim’s services, private security, and other human service-related fields. The graduate of the program receives a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree or a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Specialization in Forensic Investigation degree.

The Specialization in Forensic Investigations focuses on investigation of various forms of crime, especially in terms of gathering and analysis of varying forms of evidence in ways that enhance the ability of the criminal justice system to arrest and convict those responsible for the crimes. Students selecting this specialization follow a distinct course check sheet.

Students must take all core courses and core electives for a grade and earn a “C” or higher. Students must also maintain a BGSU GPA of at least 2.5 to remain in the major. Dropping below a 2.5 GPA will result in being placed on departmental probation for one semester, during which the student has the opportunity to raise his/her GPA above the 2.5 level. Failure to do so will result in the student being moved to the PRE-CRJU category and barred from taking any CRJU or DHS courses. One may not graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice without an overall Bowling Green State University GPA of at least 2.5.

The program places emphasis on superior academic attainment, ability to communicate verbally and in writing, and research potential. Every student must complete a field internship (practicum) with an agency of the student’s choice. However, all internships are subject to the approval and supervision of the program faculty. It is anticipated that CRJU graduates will enter the field or go on to graduate school or law school with the tools needed to succeed in a demanding profession.

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.

Internship

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

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. Students opting for the Specialization in Forensic Investigations must choose 6 credit hours of Core Electives specifically related to forensic science topics in consultation with their advisor. These students then choose 14+ hours of Core Electives from the pre-approved list.

BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements

Must complete at least 1 course in each of the following:

English Composition and Oral Communication
_____________________________ ________

Quantitative Literacy
_____________________________ ________

Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following:

Humanities and the Arts
_____________________________ ________
_____________________________ ________

Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required
_____________________________ ________
_____________________________ ________

Social and Behavioral Sciences
_____________________________ ________
_____________________________ ________

Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any of the above categories:

_____________________________   ________
_____________________________   ________
_____________________________   ________
_____________________________   ________

University Requirements

Designated courses in Humanities and the Arts and the Social and Behavioral Sciences domains may be used to fulfill both the BGP requirement and one of the following university requirements:

Cultural Diversity in the US ____________
International Perspective ____________

Composition Requirement:
WRIT 1120 - Seminar in Research Writing

Total BGP Credits: Must be at least 36

Prerequisites

Degree Program Core Courses

(45-46 Hours)

(S/U option not permitted in core courses)

Core Electives

(20-21 Hours)

Students must complete an approved minor with at least 20 credit hours (students may not count courses in the Program Core Courses as a part of the 20 hours for the minor requirement).
or
Select 20 hours of electives from the suggested list.

Approved Minors and Pre-approved Core Elective Courses

Students musts complete one of the approved minors with at least 20 credit hours (students may not count courses required in the Program Core Courses as part of the 20 hours for the minor) OR any combination of the pre-approved core elective courses totaling 20 hours or more. Suggested grouping of courses for different interest areas can be obtained from the Program Office. If you are interested in taking any courses other than those listed here, you must receive your faculty advisor’s approval by completing a blue program change request.

(S/U option not permitted in core electives).

MINORS:

Computer Science, Minor
Ethnic Studies, Minor
Management Information Systems
Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law, Minor (PPEL)
Political Science, Minor
Psychology, Minor
Sociology, Minor
Any Foreign Language
Military Science, Minor
Aerospace Leadership, Minor

Practicum

(Required) (12 Hours)

CRJU 4910 - Practicum Contact Hours: 9
CRJU 4920 - Internship Seminar

Total Hours: 122

A grade of “C” or higher is required in all program core courses and core electives.

Students must have a 2.50 GPA in order to graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Students can graduate within four years (8 semesters) if they are admitted to the Program at the end of their freshman year AND they make adequate arrangements to undertake the practicum (field placement) during a regular academic term. Most students opt to do their internship over a summer, either between junior and senior years, or after they complete all their course work. This option will result in program completion in 9 semesters.
No “D” grades will be accepted in the Core or Core Elective categories.
Check prerequisites carefully. All prerequisites will be required to be completed.
Substitutions will be made only with the approval of your faculty advisor and require a blue program change request.
The practicum (CRJU 4910) requires a minimum of 480 hours with an agency in the field and is scheduled after completion of the junior year. Concurrent enrollment in other courses is permitted only with Director’s permission.