College of Business and Humanities
Criminal Justice
Criminal justice students at UF study the legal system, crime, and public safety and learn how to apply critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and analytical skills to understand criminal behavior, support law enforcement and legal processes, and contribute to justice in their communities and the world.
Overview
About the Program
University of Findlay’s Criminal Justice program prepares students for meaningful and impactful careers in the justice system and beyond. Experiential learning is a central part of the program, with opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and fieldwork that connect classroom learning to real-world practice. Students graduate prepared to enter the workforce or pursue advanced study with confidence, knowledge, practical experience, critical –thinking and leadership skills.
With a strong interdisciplinary curriculum, students explore key areas such as law enforcement, crime scene investigation, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, criminology, victimology, forensic science, and homeland security while developing critical thinking, ethical decision-making, professional communication, and leadership skills.
The university’s Criminal Justice Program prepares students for a breadth of criminal justice careers including traditional law enforcement. criminal investigation, fraud investigation, crime scene investigation, crime analyst, private sector security, loss prevention, offender and victim rehabilitation, legal professions, and justice-centered government work spanning a wide range professional domains including FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice.
Through engaged and experienced faculty, personalized advising, and collaborative connections with related disciplines such as forensic science, psychology, political science, law, and public administration, students can tailor their education through double majors or minors to align with their career goals.
Program
Highlights
The University of Findlay, a degree in criminal justice prepares you to make a meaningful impact in communities by studying crime, law enforcement, and the legal system and applying critical thinking and ethical decision-making to support public safety, strengthen justice, and serve the public good.
Opportunities to gain professional experience
Opportunities to engage in hands-on learning opportunities
Top 5 in all evaluative categories relative to comparative universities
College
At a Glance
Hear from those who found their place here.
College
College of Business and Humanities
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Format
Hybrid
Required credits
120+ Credits
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Students earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice must complete the following:
Curriculum – The curriculum consists of required courses grounded in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic evidence, physics, mathematics, and statistics.
beyond graduation
Careers
A degree in Criminal Justice opens the door to a wide variety of careers across local, state, and federal systems, as well as private and nonprofit organizations. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to work in dynamic and impactful roles within the justice system.
Common careers include:
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Federal Agent (FBI, Secret Service, DEA, ATF, US Marshals, Border Patrol, Secret Service, EPA, DNR, US Customs
- Corrections Officer
- Probation Officer
- Case Managers
- Crime Analyst
- Fraud Investigator
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Homeland Security Specialist
- Juvenile Justice Case Manager
- Court or Legal Support Professional
- Private Security or Corporate Investigator
- Victim Advocate or Community Outreach Specialist
Many graduates also pursue roles in state agencies, medical regulatory boards, correctional institutions, and nonprofit organizations focused on public safety and rehabilitation, while others continue their education in law school or related graduate programs.
opportunities
Hands-On Experience
- The Behavioral & Justice Sciences Department proudly partners with the Washington Center to provide federal agency internship opportunities for our students in Washington D.C. Examples include: FBI, Homeland Security, Department of Justice, U.S. Secret Service, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Border Patrol, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and Washington DC Process Servers.
- Students complete internships with state and local agencies. Examples include: Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Findlay Police Department, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio State Parole Division, Hancock County Probation Department, Wood County Juvenile Detention Center, ADAMHS Board, Family Resource Center, Open Arms Domestic Violence Center, Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution, WORTH Center, CASA, and Blanchard Valley Hospital Security.
- The Behavioral & Justice Sciences Program’s internship policy is flexible, allowing students to complete internships locally, at the state-level, nationally, internationally, and in the non-profit and private sectors, which can be paid experiences.
- Throughout their academic career, students engage in field experiences and job shadowing with state and local criminal justice agencies.
- Students gain hands on experience in processing crime scenes at the Behavioral & Justice Sciences’ dedicated crime scene house
- Students conduct evidentiary analysis in the Behavioral & Justice Sciences Department’s state-of-the-art forensic laboratory
- Students are grounded in criminological theory and engage in undergraduate research
- Students participate in hands-on self-defense training through the Self-Defense- Stress Management course
college of business and humanities
Accreditation
University of Findlay’s College of Business and Humanities is accredited by recognized regional and national bodies, ensuring your degree holds weight with employers and institutions nationwide. The College of Business and Humanities holds national accreditation through ACBSP and CHEA .
Accreditation status is reviewed on a regular basis. For the most current accreditation information, visit the University of Findlay Accreditation page.