College of Business and Humanities
Criminal Justice
Prepare to serve communities through the justice system. Explore law enforcement, courts, corrections, and investigation while developing ethical judgment, communication skills, and practical experience through professional learning opportunities.
Criminal Justice at Findlay
Why study Criminal Justice at Findlay?
Explore how the justice system works through interdisciplinary study and practical experience. Findlay’s Criminal Justice program connects classroom learning with questions of law, evidence, ethics, and public service.
- Study the breadth of the field. Examine law enforcement, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, criminology, victimology, forensic science, and homeland security.
- Learn in real settings. Explore internships, job shadowing, and fieldwork to connect coursework with practice.
- Shape your direction. Pair criminal justice with related study in forensic chemistry, forensic biology, psychology, pre-law.
Students develop critical thinking, professional communication, and leadership skills for work in the justice field or advanced study.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Criminal Justice by the Numbers
120+
Required credits
Listed for the Criminal Justice program.
College of business and humanities
At a Glance
Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice or Minor in Criminal Justice
Format
On-Campus, Online, or Hybrid
Required credits
120+ Credits
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Students earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice must complete the following curriculum.
The curriculum includes study of criminology, policing, corrections, criminal law, criminal investigation, research methods, and professional practice. View the full curriculum in the University of Findlay Undergraduate Catalog.
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
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.
- 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.
For national context on related careers, explore the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for Police and Detectives.
TESTIMONIALS
The Oiler Experience
Hear directly from students about their experience
at the University of Findlay.
“The most enjoyable part of being a Criminal Justice major is how intensely caring the faculty is. Your professors remember you, your work, and your achievements. Once you initially experience that in class, you will quickly grow to realize how positively impactful that attention to care and detail is. I will be forever grateful for the professors in our department.”
financial aid
Cost of Education
Students can earn endowed scholarships in addition to their merit scholarships during their time at Findlay.
opportunities
Clubs and Activities
There are many opportunities outside of the classroom to get involved, including:
At the University of Findlay, there are many clubs and organizations offered on campus in which students participate. With nearly 80 unique student clubs including the Criminal Justice/ Forensic Science Club and Innocence Project Chapter, you are sure to find and make friends with peers who share your interests.
Examples of Criminal Justice/ Forensic Science Club and Innocence Project Chapter activities include:
- Ride-
- Active participation in real-life law enforcement scenarios through utilization of Firearm Training Simulators
- Stimulating conversations and networking with professionals and experts in the criminal justice profession
- Tours of male and female prisons and jails, bureaus of criminal investigation, and area crime labs
- Processing mock crime scenes
- Police Canine demonstrations
- Examination of criminal cases including cold case
Alpha Phi Sigma is a National Criminal Justice Honor Society founded in January 1942 at Washington State University. It is a platform for outstanding criminal justice students, faculty members, and criminal justice professionals to collaborate on the basis of common interest, understanding, helpfulness, and community betterment.
Membership in Alpha Phi Sigma requires students to have declared a major in criminal justice or related field and have completed three full time semesters or equivalent. Students must also attain a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in their cumulative criminal justice classes and rank in the top 30% of their class.
college of business and humanities
Accreditation
The University of Findlay’s Criminal Justice Program adheres to the rigorous curricular standards established by the American Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).
Accreditation status is reviewed on a regular basis. For the most current accreditation information, visit the University of Findlay Accreditation page.
GET STARTED
Explore Your Next Step
Ready to see whether Findlay fits your goals?